Tag Archives: Oregon state university

OSU Memorial Union Rotunda Universal Accessibility Design

Oregon State University (OSU) is dedicated to providing universal accessibility throughout its Corvallis campus. The historic Memorial Union building opened in 1927, and is an important gathering place on campus. In its current configuration, the rotunda entry access poses challenges to complying with current ADA Standards for Accessible Design. PMA with our multidisciplinary team members addressed how to improve the arrival experience starting from the Quad by focusing on the front door as the primary accessible entry, while retaining the buildings historic integrity. With an integrated approach there will be a primary travel path for all.

The existing limitations of accessibility to the MU are the existing ramps do not lead to the front entrance and the circulation through the rotunda requires use of non-compliant ramps. The existing exterior 1980s ramps were built interior of the terrace’s balustrade wall and access is not intuitive and requires signage. They take up significant portion of the historic terrace with circulation and railings.

The renovation of OSU MU Rotunda provides an opportunity to highlight the integration of universal access to historic properties. The vision for a new accessible path is integrated into the highly ordered Neo-classical design of the MU creating a symmetrical entry on either side of the grand entry stairs facing the quad. The design seeks to reactivate the formal side terraces by eliminating the clutter of handrails and circulation space that currently breaks up the space.

Integrating Universal Access with Historic Architecture

Oregon State University (OSU) is dedicated to providing universal accessibility throughout its Corvallis campus. The historic Memorial Union building opened in 1927, and is an important gathering place on campus. In its current configuration, the rotunda entry access poses challenges to complying with current ADA Standards for Accessible Design. PMA with our multidisciplinary team members are addressing how to improve the arrival experience starting from the Quad by focusing on the front door as the primary accessible entry, while retaining the buildings historic integrity. With an integrated approach there will be a primary travel path for all.

The existing limitations of accessibility to the MU are the existing ramps do not lead to the front entrance and the circulation through the rotunda requires use of non-compliant ramps. The existing exterior 1980s ramps were built interior of the terrace’s balustrade wall and access is not intuitive and requires signage. They take up significant portion of the historic terrace with circulation and railings.
pmapdx-osu-mu-accessible-design
OPPORTUNITY FOR INTEGRATING UNIVERSAL ACCESS
The renovation of OSU MU Rotunda provides an opportunity to highlight the integration of universal access to historic properties. The vision for a new accessible path is integrated into the highly ordered Neo-classical design of the MU creating a symmetrical entry on either side of the grand entry stairs facing the quad. The design seeks to reactivate the formal side terraces by eliminating the clutter of handrails and circulation space that currently breaks up the space.

The new accessible pathway will be a sloped walkway along the exterior of the existing balustrade wall of the terraces. A 4.5 % sloped walkway will be integrated into the landscape and will free the space of guardrails. This will result in greater visibility of the accessible means of access to the building and restore the original spatial function of the terraces. Another slope walkway will lead from the terrace to the front entrance and will be integrated into a tiered landscape and informal setting area. The new design will reactive the terraces by streamlining circulation and providing new seating opportunities.

PROPOSED DESIGN OPTIONS
Two design options were explored for this scheme. The first design option removes a portion of the balustrade wall closest to the grand entry. This would open up views of the entry and terrace to the quad and provide additional visibility of the accessible pathway. The second option would leave the balustrade wall in place and would create more of an intimate feel along the terrace. Below are renderings of the first design option.
pmapdx-osu-mu-accessible-design

Written by Hali Knight / Designer.

OSU Historic Preservation Plan

The Oregon State University Historic District is located within the main campus, and reflects the development of the main campus from its beginnings in the late 1880s as the state’s first land-grant educational institution, through post WWII (1957). OSU received The Getty Foundation Campus Heritage Grant, which assisted the OSU Foundation in writing and procuring funding for a campus-wide Historic Preservation Plan (HPP). The HPP was created to support specific preservation goals of the university, including the preservation of its historic resources.

PMA was the lead consultant of this multifaceted project responsible for several documents in conjunction with the Historic Preservation Plan including:

An Intensive Level Survey (ILS) of the Corvallis Campus
A National Register nomination for the OSU Historic District
Design Guidelines for the Historic District
City of Corvallis zoning code review
The graphic design and layout of campus signage for visitor orientation
Produced and designed a Campus Walking Tour Brochure

OSU Buildable Land Area Study

Oregon State University’s Historic District, successfully written and nominated by Peter Meijer Architect, PC (PMA), reflects the development of the main campus from its beginnings in the late 1880s as the state’s first land-grant educational institution, through post WWII (1957). It encompasses several buildings, structures, and open spaces including landscaped areas with tree lined streets and walkways. Most of the district follows the plat map corresponding to a north/south grid pattern, although the first campus buildings at the east end of the district coincide with the diagonal City of Corvallis plat grid. In 2011, PMA was retained by OSU to review and study the potential buildable land area within the existing Historic District.

PMA focused the review on massing and scale concepts for potential future growth and development, and assessed the impact to the integrity of the Historic District. Oregon State University is trending towards rapid growth; translating to the need for more classroom and academic space with pressure to develop within the Historic District so as to retain a walkable campus. PMA looked at future growth potential through the analysis of historical development patterns, currently planned projects, and the spatial and contextual relationship between development, open space, and landscape areas. Additionally, PMA provided an analysis of the potential to convert the historic Heat Plant to lecture room use.