The Oregon University System and Oregon Health & Science University partnered on the Robertson Life Sciences Building (RLSB) – formerly the Collaborative Life Sciences Building – a new allied health, academic and research building. SERA and CO Architects collaborated on this fast-track multi-phase project, the first in the Schnitzer Campus at Portland’s South Waterfront. CO Architects provided programming and design leadership and SERA was the executive architect, providing leadership in project management, BIM integration and sustainability design. The RLSB incorporates classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, retail space, and underground parking. The adjoining Skourtes Tower houses OHSU’s School of Dentistry clinical, training, and research spaces. The two buildings together comprise approximately 650,000 gsf of new construction in 12-stories. The project is certified LEED NC Platinum.
The RLSB is an innovative model of interdisciplinary health sciences research and education. It engages students, faculty and pedestrians through a concept of “science on display.” A glass atrium serves as the front entrance, providing transparent walls that allow visual penetration deep inside the building from the future campus and city streets, with dynamic connections between program elements. Several teaching labs on the ground floor level display the science being performed within. An outside terrace offers gathering space for students, staff and transit users.
Sustainable design strategies include transformation of an existing brownfield, high access to public transit, stormwater management, eco-roofs to reduce stormwater runoff, non-potable water for toilet flushing, atrium heat recovery, and low ventilation fume hoods. In addition, innovative material re-use includes salvaging oil drilling pipes for foundation piles and repurposing existing site fencing.
