Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Client: Oregon State University
Cost: $6 Million (construction)
Size: 43,200 SF

The McAlexander Field House, originally called Military Hall, was completed in 1910 as a regional armory. Exotic Revival in style, the building’s materials primarily consist of poured concrete. The building, designed by John V. Bennes, 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 McAlexander Field House is considered historic both to the city of Corvalis and Oregon State Board of Higher Education (OSBHE).

In 2010, the building underwent rehabilitation, focused primarily on improvements to the roof and exterior shell. Richaven served at the Historic Architect to provide support, research, and recommendations for the design team’s phases for the restoration work. Richaven supported the development of designs, drawings, specifications and cost estimates for the restoration of the exterior of the McAlexander Field House, completed condition assessment, and developed preservation designs and specifications as well as completed the landmarks review process for the project.

Specific technical preservation issues include:

  • Peeling and bubbling coatings on the majority of the exterior walls likely due to moisture infiltration,
    hygrothermal water vapor migration from inside the building, and/or inappropriate preparation of stucco surfaces prior to the last coating
  • 10-20% failed stucco over brick or concrete (no lath), including settling cracks, horizontal cracks, and previous stucco repairs failing
  • Deterioration of cast in place concrete in the form of settlement cracking (with failing repairs of the cracks) and reinforcing corrosion and rust-jacking
  • Inappropriately sealed sheet metal downspouts with scupper heads which do not protect stucco cladding
  • Multiple failures of sealants and sealants installed inappropriately (tooled flat around window locations)