Location: Corvalis, Oregon

Client: Oregon State University

Cost: $110 Million (construction)

Size: 23,000 SF

The earliest phase of the Neo-Classical style OSU Physical Heating Plant was completed in 1923 and expanded in 1948. The modernist interpretation of the Neo-Classical design was applied to the 1959 expansion. The building’s materials primarily consist of structural brick and poured concrete with stucco coatings and steel windows. The building is situated on the southeastern part of the Olmstead Brothers-designed campus and is a contributing structure to the Oregon State University Historic District. As a contributing building to district, the Heat Plant is considered historic both to the city of Corvalis and Oregon State Board of Higher Education (OSBHE).

The building is undergoing an adaptive reuse project to repurpose the Heat Plant to serve OSU’s Physics Department through labs, teaching spaces, and administrative offices. Richaven served at the Historic Architect to provide support, research, and recommendations for the design team’s phases for the restoration work. This support for the design team included the development of designs, drawings, specifications and cost estimates for the restoration of the exterior elevations and significant interior aspects of the Heat Plant. Richaven also completed historic design reviews for the project. In addition, Richaven served as the Historic Architect for the SW Benton Place Renewal and Community Slope Phase 3 portions of the project, including rehabilitation recommendations and landmarks approvals.

Specific technical preservation issues include:

  • Failed repointing on 1924 section of building
  • Inappropriate depth of pointing mortar at 1/4” to 3/8”
  • 20-40% failed stucco over brick or concrete (no lath)
  • Stucco suffering from rising damp and frequent presence
    of ground water close to the building
  • Steel windows with the following deficiencies: failing
    glazing compound, single pane replacement glass, and
    some corrosion of steel sash and frame
  • Steel rebar corrosion leading to rust jacking at reinforced
    concrete foundation walls and cornice
  • Steel lintels at openings are corroded, but do not appear to
    be causing masonry displacement or rust jacking
  • Non-historic light fixtures, anchor holes, and other
    electrical penetrations on exterior