Historic Resource Survey Form : Oregon Hall

4 pagesOregon Hall was designed in 1974 by the architectural firm Zimmer, Gunsul, Frasca Partnership of Portland. Oregon Hall is a brick asymmetrical building with windows in horizontal bands of six panes. The west wing of the building is three stories. This wing features a recessed entry that faces south with recessed balconies above. On the north side of the west wing, a third floor terrace is featured. The east wing of the building is four stories. The two wings converge at the northeast corners and are emphasized by a tower-like projection. Oregon Hall currently houses administration offices including admissions, financial aid, registrar, and student affairs. These offices were previously housed in Emerald Hall, which was demolished. In 1962 the University hired urban designer Lawrence Lackey to create a new campus plan. He produced a "fixed image map" which projected future campus development. The placement of Oregon Hall, along with the Bean Residence Hall Complex and various science facilities, were a part of Lackey's plan. Oregon Hall was built during a transitional period on campus. Although Christopher Alexander published The Oregon Experiment in the early 1970s, buildings influenced by this plan do not show up on campus until 1976. It is possible that Oregon Hall was one of the last buildings constructed prior to the adaptation of Alexander's plan. However, more research is needed to determine this. Oregon Hall has high intensity and is in excellent condition, but currently it has little significance, lacks distinction and is not fifty years old. Therefore, it is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. At present, it is categorized as a non-contributing resource given its very low significance relative to other campus buildings