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Project name: Vernier Science Center of Portland State University
Location: Portland
Completion: August 2024
Size: 89,500 square foot
Cost: 62 million dollars
Owner: Portland State University
Architect: Bora architects
Interior design: Bora architects
Engineers: AEI (affiliated engineers Inc.), Catena consulting engineers, Samata Consulting Engineers
General contractor: Skanska USA building
Submission company: Skanska USA building
Subcontractor: 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, MASONRY, MOTTLAB WINDOW Coverings, Norse IronWorks, Pac Green Landscape, Rubenstein's Contract Carpet, Sign Wizards, Skyline Sheet Metal, Snyder Roofing & Blech, Stonhard, TK elevator, total mechanical, Turtle Mountain Construction, western separation walls, Williamsen & Bled
The 1967 science building of Portland State University was reborn as Vernier Science Center and sets a new standard for integrative steam training through unprecedented collaboration with BIPOC students.
The renovated center represents a dramatic change from its brutalist origin into an inviting space that deliberately concerns historical inequalities in scientific education.
The commitment of the students and the community was unprecedented in PSU history. The renovation applied a critical spatial lens throughout the design process. Indigenous perspectives can be seen prominently in the building. Each floor is named after vegetable or animal relatives that are important for local cultures, whereby the QR codes offer audio recordings in mother tongues. The center includes a community meeting room, a decolonized library and the food/plant lesson kitchen.
The grocery laboratory supports the indigenous traditional ecological and cultural knowledge program and enables members of the local community to process and preserve their own food – a direct contribution to the sovereign efforts of food.
Innovative solutions have overcome significant technical challenges. If the roof could not support seismic loads for new systems, the engineers implemented the mechanical screen and avoid costly structural upgrades.
The first studies of the engineers showed that the actual structure did not match the drawings built. Laser scan and BIM coordination identified these discrepancies at an early stage and prevented expensive change orders.
The project achieved the LEED gold certification through carbon reduction strategies, including the reuse of the existing structure and to improve energy efficiency by improving windows and modernizing mechanical systems. The team reused as many objects as possible, including the rescue of laboratory equipment and the fall work and the renovation of the existing elevator.
In addition to the center, a new park replaced the demolished Stratford Hall. This classroom outdoors has microträria and local species that are important for indigenous cultures and support the efforts to restore the urban oak Savanna from PSU.
Security innovations included the implementation of Green Dot for the bystand training. Each handicraft worker received a training on proactive intervention strategies, promoted a cultural obligation and provided tools to tackle inappropriate behavior.
The VSC project had a high participation of small and diverse companies. The project goal for a variety of participation was 20 percent, and the final project achieved 26.6 percent, with $ 14.72 million being paid for hub and cobid-certified subcontractors. Skanska USA Building has exceeded its diverse goal for company participation by implementing flexible procurement guidelines that were housed smaller or newer diverse companies. The early payment prioritization and the immersion of larger contracts in smaller work packages also contributed to this success.