Project name: Western Oregon University Steam Line Tunnel Design

Location: Monmouth

Completion: October 2024

Size: 1,000 square feet of steam line

Cost: $11 million

Owner/Developer: Western Oregon University

Engineers: KPFF, Systems West Engineers

General Contractor: Andersen Construction

Submitting Company: Systems West Engineers

Other Key Participants: City of Monmouth

Subcontractors: Emery & Sons Construction Group, MPP Piping

Western Oregon University has completed a major infrastructure upgrade, replacing approximately 1,000 feet of steam distribution line across campus using innovative technology that promises decades of reliable service.

Originally planned as a tunnel project, budget constraints forced engineers to pivot to a direct-bury system using cutting-edge stainless steel piping technology. The approach makes WOU only the second campus in Oregon to implement this system, following Oregon State University.

The stainless-steel system is expected to provide 25-40 years of service, significantly reducing lifecycle costs compared to conventional systems that typically need replacement every 25-30 years.

The project faced numerous challenges, including deep trenching requirements of approximately 10 feet and navigating decades-old underground infrastructure while maintaining precise alignment for the steam system. Work had to be completed during a compressed summer timeframe to minimize campus disruption.

One particularly difficult aspect involved a vault where steam at 245° F had been leaking for approximately 10 months, creating both safety issues and technical complications. When steam was shut off, the vault required nearly 10 days to cool down.

The collaboration between Systems West Engineers, KPFF Consulting Engineers, and Andersen Construction proved crucial in overcoming unforeseen obstacles. When facing sequencing challenges related to providing continuous service to the campus pool, a year-round facility, the team developed creative solutions that allowed the entire project to be completed in one phase.

The project also incorporated modern monitoring technology with sump pump alarms and monitoring systems in the vaults, enabling proactive maintenance. Safety improvements included replacing dangerous rebar ladders in existing vaults with proper aluminum ladders and covers.

The direct-bury approach proved remarkably cost-effective. The original tunnel concept would have cost approximately $8,000 per linear foot, allowing the university to address only about 40 percent of its steam distribution needs within the available budget. By switching to the stainless steel direct-bury system, the team completed the entire scope while staying within budget constraints.

The project remediated a failing pipe that had been leaking steam for approximately 10 months, eliminating wasteful energy loss and ensuring reliable heating for academic buildings and year-round operation of the campus pool.

The post Western Oregon University Steam Line Tunnel Design appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Project name: Oregon State University Cordley Hall

Location: Corvallis

Completion: April 2024

Size: 220,000 square feet

Cost: $147,040,060

Owner: Oregon State University

Architect: Hennebery Eddy Architects

Interior Designer: Hennebery Eddy Architects

Engineers: KPFF, Systems West Engineering, The Estime Group

General Contractor: Andersen Construction

Submitting Company: Andersen Construction

Key Participants: OSU Departments of Biology, Finance, Design & Construction, College of Agricultural Sciences (key players in space planning and securing grant funding); state of Oregon

Subcontractors: Andersen Construction, Black Line Glazing, D&R Masonry, Floor Solutions, Fought & Co., Griffith Roofing, ISEC, JS Perrott & Co., K&D, McKinstry Fire Protection, McKinstry Piping, OEG, Oregon Commercial Painters, Otis, Pacific Excavation, Pioneer Waterproofing, R3 Engraving and Signs, Rexius, Schonert & Associates, Skyline Sheet Metal, Station Cos., Streimer Sheet Metal, TGC Structural, WH Cress, WPI

A 1950s-era science building at Oregon State University has been transformed into a state-of-the-art research facility through an innovative renovation that maintained operations throughout construction.

Cordley Hall, which houses two science departments serving more than 1,100 students annually, underwent a comprehensive renovation beginning in summer 2020. The project, divided into East and West phases to allow continued occupancy, introduced modern biology research labs, a 220-seat lecture hall, and flexible laboratory spaces.

The renovation represents a strategic investment in the university’s infrastructure. The project reduced OSU’s deferred maintenance backlog by $45 million.

The renovation brought significant upgrades to the aging structure, including seismic safety improvements, accessibility enhancements, new mechanical and electrical systems with standby power, and updated fire protection systems.

Among the project’s standout features is a revitalized courtyard designed by artist Ann Hamilton, featuring custom pavers embossed with DNA sequences representing the last universal common ancestor shared by all living organisms.

The renovation also introduced a new 5,816-square-foot District Utility Plant supporting Cordley Hall and five additional campus buildings. This centralized cooling approach marks a new energy efficiency model for the university, contributing to energy consumption levels 36 percent below code requirements and approximately $150,000 in annual energy cost savings.

Rather than demolishing the structure, preserving the original building reduced material waste and maintained the historical character of the campus. The building now meets LEED Gold equivalency standards under OSU’s Requirements for Sustainable Development program.

Cordley Hall houses the departments of Integrative Biology and Botany and Plant Pathology, serving both the College of Science and the College of Agricultural Sciences. It also accommodates two significant natural history collections – the Herbarium and the Oregon State Arthropod Collection – comprising more than 3.5 million specimens that are now more prominently displayed for public access.

The renovation utilized Building Information Modeling for detailed planning, implemented chilled beam technology for efficient cooling, and incorporated fiber-reinforced materials for structural integrity, all while preserving the building’s historic character.

The project required 15 percent apprenticeship involvement. Andersen Construction’s onsite labor came in at 26 percent for apprenticeship hours, 22 percent for minority hours and 5 percent for hours worked by women.

OSU’s departments of Biology, Finance, Design & Construction, and College of Agricultural Sciences played key roles in planning the spaces and securing grant funding for the project. Funding sources included the state of Oregon, $104 million; OSU, $55 million; and grants, $10.5 million.

The post Oregon State University Cordley Hall appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.