Historic Resource Survey Form : Klamath Hall

6 pagesThe science departments at the University of Oregon continued to grow in enrollment and specialization during the late 1950s and early 1960s. By the mid 1960s, the facilities in Science I (Pacific Hall) and its East Addition(Onyx Bridge) were cramped and outdated. Emerging fields such as Molecular Biology needed space and specialized equipment. The University planned to augment the science facilities with new buildings. In addition to funding from the State of Oregon, much of the sponsorship for individual laboratories came from grants given by the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. The selection of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) to conduct the master planning for the science complex and design for Science II is significant in that this was the first firm from outside of the Northwest to design a campus building. This large, international firm is known for technically sophisticated buildings that emphasize utility. The master plan for the science complex called for incremental building with separate structures linked by corridors and courtyards to provide unity. The functional requirements of the departments housed within provide the organizational scheme for each individual building. The design for Klamath Hall (Science II) utilizes modern design principles to respond to the ever-changing functional needs. In keeping with Modernist principles, the only ornament is the expression of the structural frame. Not merely an aesthetic choice, the frame and corresponding lack of internal columns provides for open laboratory spaces, easy internal partitioning, and sun control. The use of fixed windows and reliance on mechanical ventilation also reflect the importance of technology in modern design. The desire to maximize internal flexibility drove the decisions for everything from mechanical systems to laboratory finishes. The Science Library’s central location is a hub linking the various departments together. The Library’s position in the basement maximizes the coverage on the site with the light well providing daylight and controlled access to the outdoors from within the facility. The Library is emblematic of the connection between utility and technology found throughout Klamath Hall and modern design