By Lindsey Coulter��

In the heart of downtown Portland, a once-stark Brutalist building is now alive with light, greenery, and the energy of��nearly 2,000��students. The Vernier Science Center, formerly Science Building One, has been completely reimagined to foster collaboration, curiosity, and cultural inclusivity. Glass-wrapped entryways, climbing vines, and oversized planters frame a human-scaled entrance, signaling that science education at Portland State University (PSU) is no longer��just about labs��and lectures —��it’s��about people,��community��and the stories they bring.��

The original 1967 structure, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, was constructed for $2.9 million. The new iteration of Vernier Science Center, however, features a mezzanine between the first and second floors, two basement levels, and a covered pedestrian skybridge connecting the second floor to the adjacent Science Research and Teaching Center. Then reimagined six-story, 88,795-square-foot building, completed in 2024 by Bora Architecture and Skanska, however, now serves as an inclusive hub for STEM education, combining advanced laboratories, collaborative��classrooms��and community-centered spaces.����

The renovation not only updated the facility for contemporary STEM education but also created a new campus landmark. From the expanded entry level to the striking glass facades, every element reflects a thoughtful balance of accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and technical performance.��

Inclusive Design Process��

Engaging PSU’s diverse student body was critical to the project’s success. The team intentionally sought input from Black, Indigenous, and students of color to ensure the building met teaching and learning needs while celebrating the university’s diverse cultural backgrounds. Student voices informed everything from room programming to circulation patterns, lighting, and informal learning areas.��

“Creating inclusive, collaborative spaces was a priority in our new��building’s��design,” said Todd Rosenstiel, Dean of PSU’s College of Liberal��Arts��and Sciences. “In building this transformative and Indigenous-focused space, we brought to life a place of science and discovery created by and for Portland State University’s diverse population. We built an entire building based on stories of people.”��

The renovation also��leveraged��a Critical Race spatial lens to address historic inequities in science education. Engagement with BIPOC and Indigenous students guided a variety of project elements including programming, the integration of open and informal learning areas, artwork selection and even lighting design. Spaces such as a community gathering room, a decolonized library, and a food/plant teaching kitchen expand the typical lab offerings, allowing Indigenous communities to explore science in culturally meaningful ways. A “science on display” concept permeates the building, giving students opportunities to��showcase��their work collaboratively.��

Skanska Senior Superintendent Troy Boardman highlighted the thematic approach to the building’s facades.����

“Each of the four facing external facades has a unique theme including north toward the Columbia Gorge, east toward the Cascade Mountain Range, south toward the Willamette Valley and west toward the mountainous Coastal Range, which honors the Indigenous journeys to get here,” Boardman said. “Each design and construction consideration points to access in multi-disciplinary, collaborative spaces that promote engagement and co-creation.”��

This intentional inclusivity translated into a design that balances transparency and privacy, ensures accessibility, and incorporates material finishes that reflect local ecosystems and Indigenous culture. Human-scaled entryways and communal spaces embody PSU’s commitment to��equitable��access to STEM education.��

Engineering Excellence��

From an engineering perspective, the project posed significant technical challenges. Integrating seismic upgrades into an active campus environment��required��meticulous planning, careful sequencing, and constant coordination with faculty and staff.��

“Science buildings are inherently complex, and going��vertical��adds layers of coordination, especially when integrating dense mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support advanced lab environments,” said Schneider.��

The team employed laser scanning and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to capture precise conditions from the original 1967 structure. By��consolidating��MEP-intensive labs on upper floors, constructability was��optimized, and classroom construction could progress in parallel. The vertical layout also enhances interdisciplinary collaboration by stacking STEM disciplines within a compact footprint, improving connectivity between students and faculty.��

Additionally, the main floor was pushed outward by eight feet and wrapped in glass to strengthen connections to greenery and natural light. The resulting transparency creates visual access and encourages interaction, reflecting the building’s community-centered mission.��

Construction Strategy and Phasing��

Skanska developed the facility through a $62.8 million, three-phase plan to accommodate the active campus and research labs. Phase I involved demolition of Stratford Hall and relocation of research and lab services into nearby buildings. During demolition, concrete shears and real-time vibration��monitoring��minimized disruption to sensitive labs nearby.��

Phase II focused on the renovation of 48 rooms in the Science Research and Teaching Center while the building remained operational. Work was scheduled around class times, with noisy activities starting as early as 5 a.m., ensuring faculty and students moved only once during the transition.��

The final phase transformed Science Building One into the Vernier Science Center. Adjacent buildings were protected through air quality monitoring and safe pedestrian access management. Schneider emphasized the importance of combining technical precision with human-centered planning.����

“Our approach blended technical expertise with human-centered planning,” he said.��

The downtown campus location also posed logistical challenges, including high pedestrian traffic, narrow one-way��streets��and proximity to��the Portland��Streetcar. Just-in-time deliveries and real-time updates via QR codes along the fence line enabled uninterrupted material flow while keeping the campus community informed.��

Sustainability and Resilience��

Sustainability was a core principle throughout the project. Reuse of the original structure minimized embodied carbon, while mechanical upgrades and new double-glazed windows significantly improved energy efficiency. Smart energy practices, including LED lighting, controllable systems, low-emitting materials, and forestry-conscious wood products, supported the building’s pursuit of LEED Gold certification.��

Waste diversion exceeded 90%, achieved by rigorously sorting materials and prioritizing recycling and reuse. The demolition of Stratford Hall also created opportunities for regeneration, as the site now hosts a campus park with meandering paths, log seating, and native grasses, extending the building’s focus on wellness,��gathering��and reflection.��

Project Data��

• Project Name: Vernier Science Center��
• Location: Portland, Ore.��
• Area:��89,500 square feet��
• Construction Cost: $64.7 million��
• Architect: Bora Architecture & Interiors, Studio Petretti Architecture, Woofter Bolch Architecture��
• General Contractor: Skanska Building USA��
• Structural Engineer: Catena Consulting Engineers����
• Consulting Engineers: VEGA, Pace, Affiliated Engineers Inc., Samata, O-LLC, Jacobs Consultancy, PBS Environmental, Project PIVOT, Reichle��
• Acoustical and A/V Consultant: The��Greenbusch��Group��
• Technology Consultant: Vertex Technology Design & Consulting��
• Code Consultant: Code Unlimited (now Jensen Hughes)��
• Roofing: Professional Roof Consultants��
• Sustainability: SORA Design Group��
• Historic Preservation: ARG��
• Geotechnical Engineering: Geotechnical Resources Inc.��
• Foodservice Design: JBK Consulting & Design, Bargreen Ellingson��
• Commissioning: Precision Test and Balance��
• Abatement: Performance Abatement Services, Environmental Resource Inc.��
• Environmental Consultant: Anderson Environmental��
• Excavation: Weitman Excavation��
• Concrete Cutting and Drilling: Bedrock Commercial Concrete Cutting, Finish Line Concrete Cutting��
• Construction: Interior Exterior Specialists, Turtle Mt. Construction,��NativeWorks��LLC, Performance Contracting Inc.��
• Landscape Design: Pac Green Landscape��

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PLANO, Texas— Construction continues on the new Plano ISD Fine Arts Center in Plano, Texas. Serving as construction manager at risk for preconstruction and construction services, McCarthy Building Companies broke ground on this project in January 2019.

With a completion date slated for first quarter 2021, this��90,000-square-foot free-standing��building will feature a 1,500-seat multi-purpose performance hall with an upper-level balcony and lower-level orchestra pit, a 250-seat studio theatre (black box), a rehearsal studio for music and dance and a visual arts gallery.

Perkins + Will and BORA are the architecture firms on this impressive $53.3 million project.

“The Fine Arts Center is a unique building type for the district since we primarily deal with schools, stadiums and administrative offices. Selecting the right team to join us and help guide us on this particular project has been critical,” said Tony Pearson, Plano ISD assistant director of Facility Services, in a statement.

The building is an architectural concrete structure (exposed concrete interior walls, etc.) for which McCarthy is providing concrete work. The concrete construction details include the following:

• 10,000 cubic yards of concrete
• Cast-in-place architecture walls ranging from 40 feet to 90 feet in height and 8 inches to 20 inches in thickness
• Custom patterned concrete formliner for acoustical means in the main theater and studio theater

Located on the east side of Alma Road between 15th��Street and W. Park Blvd., the state-of-the-art facility will contribute to the education of more than 60 percent of Plano’s secondary students participating in fine arts programs.

The facility will also include a main lobby, theater and visual art support spaces as well as exterior gathering and performance spaces. There will be surface parking for approximately 700 cars.

“The scope of this structure includes concrete walls that rise as tall as 85 feet,” said McCarthy Building Companies Project Manager Zach Snavely.

“The obvious number one concern on this project is fall protection and falling object protection. McCarthy has robust guidelines and processes for these exact hazards. Some things that we do to keep our craftsman safe is to consistently preach the importance of discussing safety hazards—specifically fall protection—in their daily morning crew huddles. We also create safe access and egress zones with overhead protection at different areas of the jobsite to control where personnel walk in and around the structure. This helps keep people in safe zones to limit being struck by a potential falling object from work occurring above.”

As for challenges on this project, Snavely said the BIM coordination was by far one of the major challenges.

“The sole fact that the entire structure is cast-in-place, not tilt-up or precast, architecturally exposed concrete created a need for coordination beyond what you typically see on construction projects. An architecturally exposed concrete structure means that all your mechanical, electrical, and plumbing items must be installed in a concrete wall, not in a drywall partition.”

This also means that the team has one chance to get it right.

“Concrete is not as friendly as drywall when it comes to adding an additional electrical backbox and conduit,” he added.

“All of this required the BIM coordination to be elaborate, extremely collaborative, and focused on ensuring coordination was done on time and done right. BIM coordination was completed in June 2019.”

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