91视频

A sweeping modernization of Benson Polytechnic High School restored four historic campus buildings while introducing new construction totaling 379,000 square feet, transforming the century-old institution into a contemporary hub for career and technical education.
The project preserved the school鈥檚 1917 main classroom building, 1925 gymnasium, 1929 auditorium and 1917 foundry through extensive masonry and terracotta repair, seismic upgrades and roofing replacement. Historic wood and steel windows were removed, restored off-site and reinstalled with low-profile interior storm panels to improve thermal performance without compromising original craftsmanship. The historic elevated running track inside the original gymnasium, beloved by alumni, received seismic and safety improvements to remain in use.
New two-story wings connect all campus buildings around secure courtyards, co-locating core academic classrooms with specialized career and technical education labs. A central student commons serves as the campus hub, featuring learning stairs clad with wood flooring reclaimed from the old gymnasium.
The project achieved LEED Platinum certification with a predicted 53 percent energy reduction from baseline, a 35.3 kBtu per square foot annual energy use intensity, and a 13 percent reduction in embodied carbon through low-carbon concrete. A photovoltaic solar array doubles as sunshades and canopy cover, and the campus includes a green roof, stormwater management systems, EV charging infrastructure and covered bicycle parking.
Construction on the constrained urban site required extensive coordination to safely shore existing facades during selective demolition and structural reinforcement. The KBPS Radio Tower remained operational throughout. Crews managed limited staging and laydown space while maintaining safe pedestrian access to adjacent community amenities including Buckman Field and the Portland Tennis Center.
The project achieved a 17.5 percent participation rate among COBID-certified firms. Diverse businesses contributed across multiple design phases.
Students played an active role in the project鈥檚 creation. Thirteen students participated in a Design Advisory Group alongside educators and community members. Construction and electrical career and technical education students collaborated with the design and construction team to build a construction mock-up in the form of a tiny home, which was later donated to a local village supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
Bassetti Architects served as architect of record. Andersen Construction was the general contractor. KPFF provided structural engineering services.
鈥淚 appreciate the team鈥檚 focus on keeping the 100-plus-year story of Benson Tech alive throughout the new building,鈥� said Dan Malone, vice principal of modernization for Portland Public Schools, in the Top Projects submission form.