Project name: WSU Vancouver Life Sciences Building

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Completion: April 2024

Size: 62,000 square feet including greenhouse and mechanical rooms

Cost: $57,055 000

Owner/Developer: Washington State University Vancouver

Architect: SRG + Cannon Design

Interior Designer: SRG + Cannon Design

Engineers: Catena Consulting Engineers, Affiliated Engineers, Samata Consulting Engineers

General Contractor: Andersen Construction

Submitting Company: Andersen Construction

Subcontractors: ABC, AIG, Andersen Finish Carpentry, Arctic, ASI, B&B Tile and Masonry, BMS, Cache Valley Electric, Cherry City Electric, Concrete Collaborative, Dallas Glass, Delta AV, Drake’s Striping & Painting, Floor Solutions, General Sheet Metal, Harver, JCI, JH Kelly, JS Perrott, MacDonald-Miller, McKinstry, Milwaukie Floors, MottLab, Otis, Portland Coatings, Prestige Tile, Prospiant/Argus, Sign Wizards, Stonhard, Superior Interiors, Teufel, Weitman Excavation, WPI

Washington State University Vancouver has opened its first new academic building in 11 years, a state-of-the-art life sciences facility that promises to transform research and education opportunities for students in STEM disciplines.

The 55,000-square-foot building, which earned LEED Gold certification, houses cutting-edge laboratories for neuroscience, molecular biology and nursing research, alongside specialized greenhouses and a vivarium space.

Funded primarily through a $57.1 million allocation from the Washington State Legislature, the $63.8 million project was completed with additional support from private donors and a $1 million contribution from the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation.

Andersen Construction collaborated with SRG as a design-build team, employing innovative building methods to reduce environmental impact. Among these was the use of mass plywood panels for exterior walls, which accelerated construction and lowered the building’s carbon footprint.

The prefabrication of the mass plywood walls helped create a safe worksite. Not only did this method reduce the number of on-site manhours for the installation, it allowed workers to install weather resistant barriers inside a protected facility and on the ground – reducing the need for trades to work in harnessing above ground. All exterior panels were installed in just two weeks, completing several days faster than anticipated.

The facility features fully automated greenhouses with ridge vents, sun shades, evaporative cooling systems and grow lamps for plant and butterfly research. A dedicated vivarium space maintains strict environmental controls to ensure research animal safety.

Energy efficiency was prioritized through a heat recovery chiller connected to campus heating and chilled water loops, helping the building meet Washington’s strict energy code requirements.

The project team achieved a 61 percent diversion rate of construction waste from landfills while incorporating low-carbon concrete to reduce embodied carbon emissions.

Site planning took advantage of the natural hillside grade, creating a more inviting entrance while preserving views from nearby buildings. This strategic design change saved nearly $1 million during preconstruction.

Indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, including lounges, study areas and plazas, provide collaborative environments for students and faculty.

The building’s design incorporated input from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, resulting in the integration of native and indigenous plants across the landscape.

The project did not have MWESB requirements, but the team was committed to getting at least 20 percent participation. Andersen exceeded that goal, achieving 25 percent participation with 14 firms across design and trade partners.

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Project name: Willamete Tower

Location: Portland

Completion: February 2024

Size: 493,550 square feet

Owner/Developer: Alamo Manhattan

Architect: WDG Architecture Dallas

Interior Designer: SGL Design Group

Engineers: KPFF, Linda Tycher & Associates, Brightworks Sustainability

General Contractor: Andersen Construction

Submitting Company: Andersen Construction

Other Key Participants: Prosper Portland, City of Portland Building Department, Portland Water Bureau, Portland Bureau Of Transportation

Subcontractors: ABC Roofing, ACME Scenic & Display, Advance Welding, All Trades General Contractor, Aluma Systems, ASI Structures, Astound, BASCO, Berg Electric Corporation, Brix Paving, CHI Cos., Columbia Cascade, D&R Masonry, Dallas Glass, DeaMor Associates, DE-EL, DERO, DeWitt Construction, Eastern Steel Erectors, Ernsdorf Design, Forensic Building, Fought, GB Manchester, H Corp., Hunt, Instafab, Interior Tech, Klinger Masonry, Lanz Cabinets – Eugene, Larusso Concrete, Loy Clark, Maintenance Man, Maxim Crane Works, Mid-Valley Glass & Millwork, Northwest Scaffold Service, Ocean Park Mechanical, Otis Elevator, Outside the Lines, Pacific Foundation, Pacific Post Tensioning, Pacific Stair, Patriot Fire, Paulson’s Floor Covering, Point Monitor, Precision Rail of Oregon, R&R Floors, R2M2, Rebar, Sardonyx, Sawtooth, SDS, Skyline Sheet Metal, Standard TV & Appliance, Starline Windows, Sustainable Floors, Teufel Landscape, Wessco, Westech Construction, Westlake Consultants, WPI

Rising 23 stories along the Willamette River, this mixed-use development delivers both high-end apartments and significant environmental improvements to a once-industrial riverfront.

The Willamette Tower offers 340 market-rate units, including 19 townhome-style apartments providing a unique two-story living experience. The includes 3,700 square feet of ground-floor retail and parking for 355 vehicles.

Developers faced substantial challenges working alongside the river. Groundwater levels required installation of a dewatering system while construction crews drove foundation piles more than 40 feet deep to reach stable ground.

The site’s industrial past presented additional obstacles. Construction teams removed more than 30 old piers using specialized equipment mounted on barges. Workers also discovered and safely removed abandoned oil barrels that had leaked into the surrounding soil, necessitating site-wide excavation and replacement of contaminated areas.

Among the project’s innovations is the creation of a 40,000-square-foot riparian habitat supporting fish in the Willamette River. This collaborative effort involved multiple agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Department of State Lands. The habitat features strategically placed boulders and tree trunks creating environments for fish and plant life.

The project connected the northern and southern portions of the Willamette greenway path.

The development earned LEED Homes Multifamily Mid-Rise Gold certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainability. Environmental features include stormwater planters that filter runoff before it reaches the river.

Residents enjoy numerous amenities including a gym, bike room, podium-level sundeck, and club room. The 22nd floor features a demonstration kitchen with camera and monitor capabilities alongside a dining room. The penthouse units feature a specialty HOMMA system. HOMMA is a smart home/interactive system for lighting, heating/cooling, blinds, and door locking. The system is controlled through a mobile app, in-home control pad, and motion activated sensors. This was the first larger scale installation for the company.

Working with Prosper Portland, the developer incorporated a public plaza with interactive fountain, creating a neighborhood gathering space. The agency also helped source local minority, women, and emerging small business vendors for various project elements.

Construction innovations included in-slab ductwork for unit exhaust systems and a combined drain/waste vent system that reduced plumbing lines and deck penetrations, allowing for more open interior spaces.

There were goals for the fountain that was funded by Prosper Portland, and Andersen Construction met the 20 percent DBE/SBE/WBE goal. In addition, Andersen had three DBE/SBE/WBE firms as part of the larger project: La Londe Electric, Scovill Construction and Western Rebar.

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Project name: Washington School for the Deaf Divine Academic and Hunter Gym

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Completion: August 2024

Size: 50,527 square feet

Cost: $53 million

Owner/Developer: Washington School for the Deaf, Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY)

Owner’s Representative: Washington State Department of Enterprise Services

Architect: Mithun

Interior Designer: Mithun

Engineers: PCS Structural Solutions, Mithun (landscape), JH Kelly (electrical)

General Contractor: Skanska USA Building

Submitting Company: Skanska USA Building

Other Associates/Key Consultants: A3 Acoustics (acoustic specialist), Kalesnikoff Mass Timber (mass timber supplier), HB/A+P: DeafSpace Consultants Hansel Bauman and Robert T. Sirvage

Subcontractors: Anderson Roofing, Archaeological Investigations Northwest, B&B Tile and Masonry, Bargreen Ellingson, Bedrock Commercial Concrete Cutting, Blind Depot, Brandsen Hardwood Floors, Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping, Cache Valley Electric, Camblin Steel Service, Carlson Testing, CMC Steel Fabricators dba CMC Rebar, Coast to Coast Turf, Coffman Excavation, Commercial Metals, Consurco, Damac and Associates Clean, DeaMor Associates, Dennis Seven Dees Landscaping, Ednetics, Elmer’s Flag and Banner, Faithful Fence, Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, Halliday Associates, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis, Hercon Rebar & Post Tension, Inter Technology, Ironmark Surveying & Engineering, Klinger Masonry, KONE, Legend Custom Woodworking, McKinstry, Ness & Campbell Crane, Northwest Control, Northwest Geotech, Northwest Playground Equipment, NW Flooring Solutions, Performance Abatement Services, Performance Contracting, Pioneer Waterproofing, Polygon US, Precision Test & Balance, Prestige Tile & Stone, Pro-Bel Enterprises, QED Lab, Silex Investments dba Yakima Steel, Soriano Floor Finishing, Steel Encounters, Tim Lawrence dba Digital Works Production, Town & Country Fence Co. of Oregon, Town Inc. dba South Town Glass, TrailB Technologies, TT&L Sheet Metal, Ultra Quiet Floors, Vancouver Sign, W.E. Given Contracting, Western Partitions

The Washington School for the Deaf (WSD) Divine Academic and Hunter Gymnasium stands as a landmark achievement in accessible educational design, incorporating DeafSpace principles that prioritize the unique needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The project, delivered through a progressive design-build approach by Skanska and Mithun, leveraged early collaboration with DeafSpace consultants to create spaces specifically engineered for deaf communication and learning. The warm, homelike environment fosters a sense of belonging and pride among students and staff.

Key building innovations include 8-foot-wide hallways that allow for sign language conversations while walking, and classrooms providing approximately 60 square feet per learner – twice the industry standard – arranged in horseshoe configurations that maximize visual communication.

The building’s innovative mass timber construction features exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) decks that enhance acoustic vibrations essential for spatial awareness. This structural system, installed in just 19 days, contributes to the project’s low embodied carbon emissions.

The team noted that mass timber not only met aesthetic requirements but also provided functional benefits crucial for deaf communication. The materials preserve vibrations that allow students to sense footfalls and movements throughout the building.

The front entrance of the school features an ASL Finger Spell Art Fence, which also acts as a security gate. The whole campus is fenced in for security reasons, so the team designed a welcoming inclusive art piece without making the occupants feel institutionalized.

Jobsite safety innovations included custom site fencing with viewing holes, which allowed students to safely observe the construction activities while maintaining secure separation between school operations and work zones.

The project team engaged students directly in the design process through workshops using visual learning tools. Students used color-coded blocks to outline their ideal campus, directly influencing the final design.

Sustainability achievements include targeting LEED Gold certification, achieving an Energy Use Intensity of 32.1, and utilizing an existing geothermal wellfield system combined with a highly efficient building envelope.

The project exceeded Minority and Women Business Enterprise targets, hitting 13 percent participation. Apprentice labor hit 23 percent, helping develop future skilled workers knowledgeable in mass timber construction and deaf-inclusive building practices.

Beyond serving students, the project raises public awareness of Deaf culture through campus openness to neighbors and visitors, making it a model for future educational environments that prioritize accessibility, sustainability and community connection.

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Project name: The Springs at The WaterfrontLocation: Vancouver, Washington

Completion: July 2024

Size: 465,000 square feet

Owner/Developer: The Springs Living

Architect: GBD Architects

Interior Designer: GBD Architects

Engineers: KPFF, Ocean Park Mechanical, Prairie Electric

General Contractor: Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company

Submitting Company: Howard S. Wright, a Balfour Beatty company

Other Key Participants: Pacific Medical Buildings (development partner), Harrison Street Real Estate Capital (equity partner), City of Vancouver, Interface Engineering, Lango Hansen

Subcontractors: Alliance Laundry Systems, Anderson Poolworks, Bargreen Ellingson of Oregon, Building Material Specialties, Building Specialties Northwest, Cash’s Drapery, Center Pointe Signs, Chown Portland, Dallas Glass, DeaMor Associates, DE-EL Enterprises, Dero, Don Frank Floors, Eagle Striping Services, ES&A Sign & Awning, F.D. Thomas, Fireside Contracting Services, Floor Solutions, Flynn BEC, Foster Bray, Fought & Co., Conco Concrete, Greenhaven Landscapes, Hospitality Services, Infinity Images, Interior Technology, J&S Masonry, J.S. Perrott & Co., Knife River Corp.-Northwest, Kraft Screens & Window Washington, Lanz Cabinet Shop, Legend Custom Woodworking, Mincey Marble Manufacturing, Ocean Park Mechanical, Otis Elevator, Overhead Door Co. of Portland, Pacific Stair, Performance Contracting, Prairie Electric, Precision Rail of Oregon, Pro-Bel Enterprises, Proclean, Safemark Systems, Schonert & Associates, Sign Wizards, Standard TV & Appliance, Starline Windows USA, Superior Fence, Tapani, Teufel Nursery, Viking Automatic Sprinkler, Washington Commercial Painters, Wessco Equipment, Williamsen & Bleid

The Springs at The Waterfront rises 12 stories along the Columbia River, representing a bold reimagining of senior living in an urban setting.

The 250-residence community seamlessly integrates Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care across approximately 465,000 square feet, with two levels of underground parking. The project achieved LEED Gold and Fitwel 3-star certifications.

The project has attracted the youngest demographic The Springs Living has seen.

The community faced unique challenges during development. Located less than a mile from Pearson Field airport, builders encountered strict FAA height limitations, ultimately setting the building just 6 inches below regulatory restrictions. During excavation, crews uncovered contaminated soils and unexpected buried structures from the site’s industrial past. Workers removed 2,029 tons of concrete foundations, 187 wooden piles and 267 tons of steel. An 1889 brick foundation from the DuBois Brothers Sawmill was cataloged by the State Department of Archaeology before removal.

The building’s innovative design places Memory Care residents on upper floors, providing equitable access to Columbia River views. A dedicated wellness suite on the second floor houses fitness classes, physical therapy services and an elevated pool with distinctive privacy screens that maintain river views while blocking visibility from neighboring buildings.

Departing from traditional senior dining models, The Springs features “Fancho’s Public House,” a bistro-heavy concept creating a casual atmosphere where residents can “come as they are.”

The exterior facade combines masonry, dark bronze, and wood tones in patterns inspired by sunset reflections on the Columbia River. Interior spaces feature subtle whites, grays and beiges complemented by natural Oregon oak and stone textures.

Thoughtfully selected materials like Knotwood, an aluminum cladding system that replicates wood while offering superior durability, allow the building to withstand challenging waterfront conditions.

Residents enjoy a ninth-floor wine bar, outdoor roof deck with garden plots, putting green and dog run. Ground-floor spaces connect to waterfront paths, playgrounds and outdoor dining areas.

Two natural gas-fueled rooftop generators augment emergency power systems, allowing residents to shelter in place during emergencies while maintaining essential services.

While the project did not include specific MWESB participation requirements, Howard S. Wright and the project team remained committed to providing opportunities for diverse firms. Team members participated in various outreach efforts at local tradeshows and association events including PBDG, OAME and MCIP. As a result of these efforts, more than $5.4 million in work was awarded to 18 MWESB subcontractors and vendors.

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Project name: Terminal 1 Block A & C, Port of Vancouver USA

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Completion: 646,835 square feet

Size: October 2024

Landowner/Lessee: Port of Vancouver USA

Developer/Lessor: Lincoln Property Company

Architects: West of West Architecture & Design (design architect) DLR Group (executive architect)

Interior Designer: West of West Architecture & Design

Engineers: Mackenzie, Piper Mechanical, KPFF

General Contractor: Robertson & Olson Construction

Submitting Company: DLR Group

Other Key Participants: City of Vancouver, Portland Street Art Alliance and artists Jeremy Nichols, Hayden Senter, Ana Gabriela

Other Associates/Consultants: Cascade Electrical, GeoDesign NV5, Kittelson & Associates, Walter P. Moore, BEE Engineers, Brightworks, PLACE, Code Consultants

Subcontractors: 2 Down Services, Able Fence, Anderson Specialties, Axiom Division 7, Basco Appliances, Blankenship Equipment Repair, Building Material Specialties, Cascade Electrical, CDI Blinds, Cedar Landscape Construction, Conco, Concrete Designs, Consurco, Cornerstone Masonry, Cosco Fire Protection, Ecoglo, Flash Parking, Floor Solutions, Ground Control Systems, Huntco, Interior Technology, LaRusso Concrete, LCDA, LJP Construction, Mission Glass, Mt. Hood Steel, Overhead Door, Pacific Foundation, Pacific Stair, Piper Mechanical, Pro-Bel Enterprises, Sawtooth Caulking, Schindler Elevator, Sign Wizards, Skyline Sheet Metal, Sound Vanguard Solutions, Spectrum Woodworking & Interiors, Sunset Stucco, Vancouver Paint Group, Vancouver Paving, Vancouver Sign, Western Construction Specialties, Western Partitions, You & I Construction

The Port of Vancouver USA’s Terminal 1 Block A & C development is transforming the city’s waterfront into a dynamic mixed-use destination that honors its maritime heritage while creating new economic opportunities.

Completed in October 2024, the project features two mid-rise office towers rising nine and 10 stories above a shared landscaped podium. The development delivers 287,100 square feet of office space, 12,835 square feet of retail, and a 346,900-square-foot parking structure.

“The Launch,” a pedestrian axis that bisects the towers, recalls the site’s history as a wartime shipbuilding hub while providing sweeping views of the Columbia River and city skyline.

Lincoln Property faced significant challenges during development, including negotiating a long-term lease within just 90 days while simultaneously modifying project plans from a mixed office-residential design to an all-office development.

During the pandemic, supply chain disruptions were a major concern. The team prioritized domestic materials, partnering with a local Vancouver vendor to develop the distinctive metal exterior featuring blades and serrated edges that create dynamic interactions with sunlight.

The towers have achieved LEED Gold v4 certification, incorporating bird-safe glazing and native plantings that support pollinator habitats. The project reduces landscape irrigation by 75 percent and includes occupiable roof terraces, bike storage facilities, and EV charging stations.

ZoomInfo has established its West Coast hub at Terminal 1, leasing both towers and cementing the development’s role as a premier business destination in the Vancouver-Portland metro area.

The Port of Vancouver USA and City of Vancouver were critical to the project’s success. Their leadership is transforming the former 1920s warehouse site into an extension of downtown Vancouver with strategic freeway visibility and direct connectivity to Portland via the Interstate Bridge.

Public art features prominently, with murals by local artists Jeremy Nichols, Hayden Senter, and Ana Gabriela depicting imagery inspired by the Columbia River, Indigenous stories, and the city’s industrial heritage.

General contractor Robertson & Olson Construction completed the project with exemplary safety standards, earning multiple START Certifications from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. DLR Group was executive architect on the project.

“The successful public-private partnership between the Port of Vancouver USA and Lincoln Property Company, spanning over five years, enabled the bold vision of constructing a Class A world headquarters for the tenant,” noted Patrick Gilligan, senior executive vice president with LPC, in the project submission form. “This collaboration also facilitated the execution of the largest lease signing in the Portland metro market in recent years.”

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Project name: Portland State University Vernier Science Center

Location: Portland

Completion: August 2024

Size: 89,500 square feet

Cost: $62 million

Owner: Portland State University

Architect: Bora Architects

Interior Designer: Bora Architects

Engineers: AEI (Affiliated Engineers Inc.), Catena Consulting Engineers, Samata Consulting Engineers

General Contractor: Skanska USA Building

Submitting Company: Skanska USA Building

Subcontractors: Bargreen Ellingson, Building Material Specialties, Consurco, Cosco Fire Protection, D&R Masonry Restoration, EC Electric, Encore Glass, Interior Tech, MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions, McDowell Shotcrete & Concrete, Milne Masonry, mottLAB West, Mt. Hood Window Coverings, Norse Ironworks, Pac Green Landscape, Rubenstein’s Contract Carpet, Sign Wizards, Skyline Sheet Metal, Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal, Stonhard, TK Elevator, Total Mechanical, Turtle Mountain Construction, Western Partitions, Williamsen & Bleid

Portland State University’s 1967 Science Building One has been reborn as the Vernier Science Center, setting a new standard for inclusive STEAM education through unprecedented collaboration with BIPOC students.

The renovated center represents a dramatic shift from its Brutalist origins into a welcoming space that intentionally addresses historic inequalities in science education.

The level of student and community engagement was unprecedented in PSU history. The renovation applied a Critical Race spatial lens throughout the design process. Indigenous perspectives feature prominently in the building. Each floor is named after plant or animal relatives significant to Native cultures, with QR codes providing audio recordings in Native languages. The center includes a community gathering room, decolonized library and food/plant teaching kitchen.

The food lab supports the Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge Program, allowing Native community members to process and preserve their own foods – a direct contribution to food sovereignty efforts.

Innovative solutions overcame significant technical challenges. When the roof couldn’t support seismic loads for new systems, engineers implemented ancillary steel spanning the mechanical screen, avoiding costly structural upgrades.

Engineers’ initial investigations revealed that the actual structure did not match the as-built drawings. Laser scanning and BIM coordination identified these discrepancies early, preventing expensive change orders.

The project achieved LEED Gold certification through carbon-reduction strategies including reuse of the existing structure, and improving energy efficiency by upgrading single-paned windows and modernizing mechanical systems. The team reused as many items as possible, including salvaging laboratory equipment and casework, and refurbishing the existing elevator.

Adjacent to the center, a new park replaced the demolished Stratford Hall. This outdoor classroom features micro prairies and native species significant to Indigenous cultures, supporting PSU’s urban Oak Savanna restoration efforts.

Safety innovations included implementing Green Dot for the Trades bystander training. Every craft worker received training on proactive intervention strategies, fostering a culture of accountability and providing tools to address inappropriate behavior.

The VSC project had a high participation of small and diverse businesses. The project goal for diverse participation was 20 percent, and the final project achieved 26.6 percent, with $14.72 million paid to HUB and COBID-certified subcontractors. Skanska USA Building exceeded its diverse business participation goal by implementing flexible procurement policies that accommodated smaller or newer diverse businesses. Early payment prioritization and breaking larger contracts into smaller work packages also contributed to this success.

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Project name: PDX Terminal Core Redevelopment Phase 1

Location: Portland

Completion: August 2024

Size: 1 million-square-foot expansion

Cost: $1,747,035,116

Owner/Developer: Port of Portland

Architect: ZGF Architects

Engineers: KPFF

General Contractor: Hoffman Construction Co. of Oregon and Skanska USA Joint Venture

Submitting Companies: Hoffman Construction and Western Partitions Inc.

Subcontractors: Hoffman/Skanska: AAI Engineering – Afghan Associates, Ackerman Plumbing, Adams Consulting & Engineering, ADCOMM Engineering, Advanced Tribal, AIG, AirSide Solutions, Alcantar & Associates, Allegion, Allen Construction Management Services, Alliance Industrial Group, Ambrose Glass, American Direct, American Plumbing & Heating, Anderson Environmental Contracting, Angle Detailing, Anning Johnson, Apex Environmental Consulting, Apply-A-Line, Arctic Sheet Metal, Armadillo Underground, Arrow Timber Framing, Art Cortez Construction, ARUP, Aspen Ridge Electric, Authority Dock & Door, Autodesk, Automatic Systems, Avvir, Azuri Construction, B&L Wood Creations, Bantam’s Plumbing, Basic Fire Protection, Baxter Air Engineering, Bello Global Consulting, Belsinger Sign Works, Benson Permasteelisa, Big C Industries, Big Floors, BIM Connection, Black Line Glazing, Blackmouth Design, BNP Associates, Boingo Wireless, Boyter Brothers Insulation, BrandSafway, Briggs Engineering, Buffalo Welding, Building Champions, Building Material Specialties, BuildWise, Bulldog Mechanical & Remodeling, Burns & McDonnell, CalPortland, Campbell’s Concrete, Carey & Walsh, Carleton Hart Architecture, Carpinteria, Carvart, Casewerks, Cash’s Drapery, Cherry City, CIDA, City of Portland, COAT Flagging, Cochran, Coffman Excavation, Columbia Steel Services, Columbia Wire & Iron Works, Colvico, Communication Technology Services, Concrete GPR, Condon-Johnson & Associates, Constrafor, Contract Décor, Convergint Technologies, CoreBrace, Corradini, Cosco Fire Protection, Crossfire Sprinkler Company, CTL Engineering, Culver Glass, Cumming Group, Curtis Restaurant Equipment, Custom Source Woodworking, Daifuku Airport America, DBC Architecture, DBM Vircon, DeaMor Associates, Derr and Gruenewald Construction, DeWitt Construction, Diamond Specialties, Digital Works Production, Diverse Works, Diversified Heavy Lift, Dormakaba USA, Dowco, Downing Diversified, Draft Doctor, Drywall, Elcon Associates, Elite Terminal Services, ELK Collective, Elk Ridge Services, Engineered Products, Faison Construction, Faster Permits, Faustrollean Fixture, FD Thomas, FDT Structural Secialties, Fisher Marantz Stone, Floor Factors, Floor Solutions, Flynn BEC LP, GBA Architectural Products + Services, Geotechnical Resources, GEW, Gibson Door & Millwork, GNB Global, Greenberry Industrial, GTS Construction Consulting, Ha’s Painting, Halliday Associates, Hanset Stainless, Harder Mechanical Contractors, Harris Rebar, HEA, Hermanson, Hicks Striping & Curbing, Hilti, HLB Lighting Design, HNTB, Hoffman Layout & Modeling, Hoffman Structures, Howard Jacobs Masonry, Hughey and Phillips, I&H Construction, i-TEN Associates, Icon 3D Signs & Flair Plastic Products, IES Communications, Imperial Brown, Insulpro, Integrated Construction Enterprises, Integrated Systems Group, Intelligent Systems Now, Interface Engineering, Interior Exterior Specialist, Interior Technology, Intertek-PSI, Iris Window Coverings, ISAT, ISEC, ISG, J.A. Watts, Jacobs, Jacobsen/Daniels Assoc., Jet City Laser, JH Kelly, John Bean Technologies, Johnson Controls, JRT Mechanical, Just Right Heating & Cooling, K & D Window Shades, K2 Construction Consultants, K2 Security Consulting, Keller North America, Key Construction Services, Key Electrical Construction, Klinger Masonry, Kodiak Pacific Construction, KSL, KTA-Tator, Landscape Forms, Leading Edge Installations, LeanProject, Legend Custom Woodworking, Levolux Limited, Lisin Metallurgical Services, Luma Lighting Design, M&H Metal Works, Mackenzie, Madlyn Metal Fab, Mammoet, Marc Bowen Productions, Mardan Fabrication, Mayer Reed, Mayes Testing Engineers, McDonald Excavating, McKinstry, Mecho Shade, Menzies Aviation, Michigan, Midion, MiTek (Benson), MK Fall Protection, MM Systems, Mobile Mini, Multivista, MWA Architects, NBZ Consulting Engineers, NDE Professionals, Ness & Campbell Crane, Newlands & Co., Norkote of Washington, Norse Ironworks, North Star Industries, NorthStar CG, NorthStar Demolition and Remediation, Northstar Industries, Northwest Handling Systems, Northwest Precast, Novum Structures, NW Draft Technicians, OEG, OLA Consulting Engineers, O’Neill Construction Group, O’Neill Electric, Oregon Door Consultants, Oregon Specialty Systems, Organon Group, Oshkosh Aerotech, Overhead Door, Pacific Mobile Structures, Pacific Window Tinting, PAE Engineers, Palmer Engineering Company, Paragon Risk Engineering, PB Steel Detailing, Penhall, Performance Contracting, Performance Systems Integration, Phit Too, Pinnacle Infotech, Pioneer Waterproofing, PipeTech Support c/o Peninsular Technologies, Pitman Restaurant Equipment, PLACE Studio, Polygon US, Portland Airlines Consortium, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Portland Dock & Door, Portland State University, Practical Integrated Designs, Pratt + Larson, Precision Construction Company, Prestige Tile & Stone, Procore Technologies, Professional Lath and Plaster, Professional Roof Consultants, Professional Service Industries, Publix Northwest, Pure Floors, QED Lab, QSEC Steel Detailing, R2M2 Rebar & Stressing, Raben QMS, Ramsay Signs, RDH Building Science, Re:Source New Jersey, Rentokil North America, Resolute Construction, RIEDESIGNS, River City Environmental, RIXIR Systems, RJ Ramos Enterprises, Roger Langeliers Construction, Romtec, RS&H, RStart, Rubenstein’s Contract Carpet, Rytec, Safe Solutions AS, Safeguard US, SAIF, SBC Global, Schuff Steel, SecureInsights, Service Master Building Services, Service Master Clean of Seattle, Sigma Associates, Sigma Engineering Solutions, Sign Wizards, Simpson & Associates, Skyline Construction Services, Sky-Shots Aerial Photography, Smartvid.io, Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal, Soil Freeze, Southland Industries, Sowles, Specialized Pavement Marking, Specialty Firestop Systems, Stanley – Security, Sterling Floors, Sterling Pacific, Stoncor Group, Stonewood Structural Engineers, Straight Up Carpentry, Streimer Sheet Metal Works, Stryker, Studio Petretti Architecture, Summit Wood Creations, SunSteel, Superfab, Swinerton, Technical Waterproofing, Techsource Enterprises, Terracon Consultants, The Greenbusch Group, Thompson Metal Fab, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, Timberlab, TMC, Top End Terrazzo, Town & Country Fence, TrailB Technologies, Turtle Mountain Construction, Vaagen Timbers, Valar Engineering, Valgreen Painting, Valmont Telecommunications, Vaughn Environmental, VTC, W&W-AFCO Steel, Walter P Moore, Weil Architecture, Wessco, Western Partitions, Western Rebar, Western Tile & Marble, Western Wood Structures, Westlake Consultants, Whole Building Solutions, Williams 3T Contracting, Willscot Mobile Mini, Williamsen & Bleid, WSP, Zana Construction, Zena Forest Products. Western Partition subcontractors: AllSource Construction Supply, CWallA, Freres, L&W, Lindner, Lively Trucking, Meltar Supply, Professional Lathe and Plaster, Rigidized, SkyAcoustics, Viking Engineering and Construction

A massive wooden roof spanning 9 acres now crowns Portland International Airport, the result of groundbreaking construction techniques that allowed the busy transportation hub to remain fully operational throughout its major renovation.

The Hoffman-Skanska joint venture and its teams completed the installation using an unprecedented prefabrication strategy that prevented disruption to the 50,000 daily passengers while meeting the Port of Portland’s stringent seismic resiliency requirements.

Serving millions of travelers each year, PDX could not afford the widespread closures that on-site roof construction would have required. To solve this challenge, construction teams built the entire roof structure off-site in 20 massive sections called “cassettes,” each containing approximately 120 individual components including skylights, insulation and mechanical systems. The largest cassette measured 220 feet by 110 feet. The construction required a 20-acre staging area near the airport’s fire department headquarters, featuring a reinforced concrete pad engineered to support the weight of the roof modules during assembly.

In a first-of-its-kind sustainability initiative for a project of this scale, all timber was sourced from 13 sustainably managed forests in Oregon and Washington. The project team established a comprehensive tracking system to ensure wood could be traced from “forest to frame.”

Timberlab was instrumental in advancing wood innovation at PDX, supporting the development of the signature 400,000-squaer-foot roof. Timberlab and Hoffman-Skanska selected local firms such as Zip-O and Freres Lumber to fabricate key structural components.

Special consideration was given to seismic resilience, with the roof and curtain wall system designed to move up to 24 inches in any direction during an earthquake. This movement is made possible by seismic base isolation bearings that support the roof structure.

In another innovative move, workers repurposed a connector between concourses that was slated for demolition, transforming it into a pedestrian bridge bypass. This creative reuse prevented 3.4 million pounds of material from entering landfills.

The project is LEED Gold certified.

Minority- and women-owned businesses’ participation on the overall project ranged between 22 percent and 25 percent.

Subcontractor Western Partitions played a key role on the project. Its scope – totaling $19.5 million and involving 400,000 square feet of space – included exterior and interior metal framed walls, interior soffits and ceilings, insulation, drywall, taping, stadium seating framing, and mass plywood panels atop the concessions spaces and airline offices. The company spent approximately 20 percent of its contract on partnerships with MWESB subcontractors and suppliers.

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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.

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Project name: Multnomah County Holgate LibraryLocation: Portland

Completion: April 2025

Size: 21,000 square feet

Cost: $17,590,743

Owner: Multnomah County

Architect: Bora Architecture & Interiors

Interior Designer: Bora Architecture & Interiors

Engineers: Equilibrium Engineers, Arris Consulting, Samata Consulting Engineers, Vega Civil Engineering

General Contractor: Swinerton

Submitting Company: Swinerton

Other Associates/Consultants: Colloqate Design, Elevate Building Commissioning, O-LLC Lighting Design, PLACE (landscape architecture), Timberlab

Subcontractors: A&R Solar, Andres Landscape, Apollo Mechanical Contractors, Berrien Concrete, Building Material Specialties, Castle Masonry & Restoration, Code Unlimited, Cosco Fire Protection, Custom Designed Skylights, Dennis’ Seven Dees Landscaping, Don Frank Flooring, Figure Plant, General Sheet metal Works, Hyphn, Interior Technology, Interlaken, J.S. Perrott & Co., Kodiak Pacific Construction, KONE, Lensa Consulting, Madlyn Metal Fab, Mill Plain Electric, Norse Ironworks, NW Umpqua Roofing & Waterproofing, Oregon Door Consultants, PBS Engineering & Environmental, Pioneer Waterproofing, Portland Coatings dba Williamsen & Bleid, Prestige Tile & Stone, Qualified Enclosure Consultants, Shiels Obletz Johnsen, Sign Wizards, Skyline sheet Metal, South Town Glass, T. Gerding Construction, Techsource Enterprises, The Grenebusch Group, Ultra Quiet Floors, Valley Shades, Vanco Contracting, Vega Civil Engineering, Vertex Technology Design & Consulting, Washington Commercial Painters, Western Partitions, Whitaker/Ellis Builders

The newly opened Holgate Library in Southeast Portland has transformed from a modest 6,400-square-foot facility built in 1971 into a 21,000-square-foot community hub designed to serve one of Portland’s most diverse populations.

The library, part of Multnomah County’s bond measure to revitalize Portland’s library infrastructure, stands prominently along Southeast Holgate Boulevard with features aimed at serving all age groups.

The project is a strong example of how community engagement, design innovation and sustainability building practices create a built environment that will serve the entire surrounding community for years to come. The building’s design resulted from extensive community input through focus groups, public meetings and surveys. Teens participated in a four-week virtual program called “Your Library, Your Voice” to help design the library’s first enclosed teen space in the system. The room was envisioned as a “home away from home.”

Sustainability was central to the construction approach. The library utilizes a hybrid mass timber structure that reduced the building’s carbon footprint by 61 percent compared to conventional steel and concrete construction. The ground floor features a denser column layout to support heavy book loads, while the second floor has fewer columns for a more open design.

The mass timber frame utilizes Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) for floor and roof decking, Glue-Laminated Timber (glulam) for primary structural support, and Buckling-Restrained Braces (diagonal steel elements) for lateral stability.

Designed to receive LEED Gold certification, the building incorporates radiant flooring for thermal comfort and a rooftop photovoltaic system to offset energy usage.

The library features advanced amenities including a large play and learning space for children, a dedicated teen room, flexible programming rooms, and the latest technology with high-speed internet. An outdoor plaza provides space for reading and socializing.

Construction company Swinerton served as the CM/GC, bringing in its subsidiary, Timberlab, for the mass timber components. The project maintained zero recordable injuries throughout construction.

The project also emphasized economic inclusion, with Swinerton implementing a Project-Specific Workforce Diversity Program. Swinerton’s project team also assumed the role of mentors, guiding businesses through the intricacies of preconstruction and construction phases. In addition to fostering strong relationships and supporting their sustainable growth, Swinerton provided comprehensive training that included technical skills, project controls, budget management, and project execution. The project and these efforts helped three companies acquire COBID certification. The Holgate Library project had a 25 percent diverse business goal (COBID) and hit 34 percent.

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Project name: hayu alqi uyxat

Location: Portland

Completion: August 2024

Size: 85,000

Cost: $67 million

Owner/Developer: Portland Public Schools

Owner’s Representative: Turner & Townsend Heery

Architect: Bassetti Architects

Interior Designer: Bassetti Architects

Engineers: KPFF, Vega Civil Engineering, Arris Consulting

General Contractor: Andersen Construction

Submitting Company: Bassetti Architects

Other Associates/Key Consultants: Adams Consulting and Estimating, Construction Focus, JBK Consulting & Design, Mayer Reed, Samata Consulting Engineers, TFWB Engineers, The Greenbusch Group

Subcontractors: Affordable Electric, All Trades General Contractors, Alliant Systems, American Heating, Amodeo Structural Engineering, AT Publix, B & T Striping and Curbing, Carr Construction, CHI Companies WA, Chown Hardware, Convergent Pacific, Coria Landscape, Curtis Restaurant Equipment, Custom Designed Skylights, Dallas Glass, Elmer’s Flag and Banner, ELTEC Systems, Floor Factors, Griffith Roofing, H2I Group, Interior Technology, Kelar Pacific, Kent Crane, Konell Construction & Demolition, Kraft Masonry, Linden Comansa America, McKinstry, Merit Contractor of Oregon, Mt. Hood Window Coverings, Multivista, Ness & Campbell Crane, Nor-Pac Seating, Northwest Precast, Northwest Scaffold Service, Northwest Waterproofing, Overhead Door Co. of Portland, Pacific Foundation, Pacific Stair, PBS Supply, Professional Lath and Plaster, Pure Floors, Rich’s Tree Service, Roedel Tile Contracting, Safeguard Security, Standard TV & Appliance, T & T Contractors, Teufel Nursery, Town & Country Fence Co. of Oregon, Vaagen Timber, Valar Consulting Engineering, Vibetech Specialties, Viking Automatic Sprinkler – Oregon, Waypoint Sign, Western Partitions, Wildwood Playgrounds NW, Willliamsen and Bleid

A groundbreaking educational facility is transforming how Portland Public Schools serves students who thrive outside traditional classroom settings.

The hayu alqi uyxat facility – Chinook wawa for “Many Future Paths” – has brought multiple alternative education programs under one roof in an 85,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified building that stands where a parking lot once was.

The facility, designed by Bassetti Architects and built by Andersen Construction, now houses Alliance High School, Portland DART (Discovering and Rising Together) School and Teen Parent Services with integrated childcare. These programs previously operated in scattered locations, often relegated to the basements of existing schools.

The concept emerged during master planning for Benson Polytechnic High School when a stakeholder suggested using the parking lot space. This shifted how the district approached alternative education, recognizing these programs deserved more than leftover spaces.

Developing the facility required extensive coordination among administrators, educators and community stakeholders. The design team conducted workshops where students expressed needs for spaces that felt safe and connected to nature.

The building features mass timber construction with biophilic design elements that evoke a treehouse environment. Natural wood, warm lighting and textured materials create a calm, stable atmosphere.

An experiential graphic design system weaves throughout the interior, incorporating digitally printed natural patterns on maple wall paneling and featuring overlapping linework representing individual student voices converging into a unified whole. Like the rings of a tree, the graphics tell a multilayered story – bringing a connection to nature, a celebration of individuality and incorporating student voices into the space. That last design feature is one of the most powerful layers: quotes from students are embedded into the design, ensuring their voices are literally part of the building.

“Most people don’t care what I have to say, and now I get quoted on a wall,” one student said during a presentation. This moment encapsulated the true essence of the project – the transformative power of being seen, heard and valued.

The fully electric building is powered partly by solar panels and incorporates trauma-informed design principles, ensuring spatial layouts and lighting support a calming atmosphere for students who struggled in traditional settings.

By integrating childcare services, therapeutic resources and flexible learning environments, the facility removes obstacles that traditionally push students out of the education system.

The project stands as a national model for how architecture can support alternative education.

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