The Corvallis Museum

Rendering of the Corvallis Museum by Allied Works Architecture

The October AIA-Southwestern Oregon chapter meeting was one I’d looked forward to for quite some time as it featured an exclusive construction tour of the Benton County Historical Society’s (BCHS) new museum in Corvallis. I’ve been tracking the progress of the project for nearly ten years, ever since my firm’s unsuccessful pursuit of the commission back in 2009. Rather than tinged with disappointment at not securing the job, my continued interest stems in equal parts from my admiration for the talents of the chosen architect—Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture—the design of the proposed museum, and what the project heralds for downtown Corvallis. 

Our hosts were Mike Schweizer, president of the Historical Society’s Board of Trustees, Irene Zenev, BCHS executive director, and Keith Alnwick and Daniel Toole of Allied Works. The general contractor for the museum is Gerding Builders of Corvallis. 

When it opens, the new 19,000 SF museum will allow the BCHS to exhibit its diverse cultural and natural history collections (which include the wildly eclectic historical, geological, and archaeological artifacts of the Horner Collection), connect with a broader audience, and bring new life to a streetscape of shops, residences and historic buildings. In addition to 5,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, the facility will house the BCHS offices, exhibition preparation spaces, and an education room with the capacity to hold 100 people. Additionally, the museum will feature a museum store (which includes an entrance opening to and enlivening Second Street), a spacious lobby, a board room, a docent room, and the landscaped Starker Courtyard. 

Plans

The museum’s two-story plan is organized around an array of 35-foot wide, clear-span structural bays. Bay windows and canopies (mandated by Corvallis’ downtown development code) enliven the otherwise simple massing that echoes the modest scale and grain of the building’s downtown Corvallis context.

Irene Zenev (center right), Benton County Historical Society Executive Director, addresses the tour group (all photos by me).

The tour was very well-timed. Construction is quite advanced now, but not so much so that many of the details of the building’s construction are already concealed from view. The exterior walls are in various stages of completion. Some are ready to receive the glazed, striated tiles that will ultimately clad the entire building, while others are yet to receive the cementitious backer board to which the tiles will be applied. Inside, the configuration and volumes of the museum’s galleries are clearly evident, making it easy to imagine what the spaces might be like and the flow through them. Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical infrastructure is installed throughout the building. 

Inside one of the 2nd floor galleries. Note the angled ceiling planes and the opening to the lobby below.

Daniel Toole provided a wealth of information about the design and the challenges associated with constructing the BCHS’s showcase facility. As the associate responsible for construction administration, Daniel has shepherded the project on behalf of Allied Works since the first shovel of dirt was turned more than a year ago. He explained the care with which his firm organized window openings to provide controlled natural light in the galleries. He described the proposed interior materials palette, which will primarily feature white-painted walls and ceiling planes contrasting with white oak flooring, stair treads, and cabinetry. He was quick to give props to Gerding Builders and their subcontractors for the quality and precision of their work. 

According to Mike Schweizer, the project will ultimately cost around $10.4 million. It’s on track to receive LEED Silver certification. 

Inside the future Mary C. Verhoeven Gallery. Daylight enters from a north-facing clerestory window and a bay window.

My thoughts about the design? First off, what surprised me is how spacious it seemed inside. Having only seen the plans and renderings previously, my preconception was it would feel small. In fact, the wide variety of exhibit types will enjoy plenty of breathing space. That said, my other significant impression was how appropriately scaled its exterior volumes appear to be. The cadence of the clearly expressed 35-foot structural bays correspond to the human-scaled rhythm of the traditional storefronts that populate Corvallis’ downtown streets. 

I do expect the finished building will very much reflect Brad Cloepfil’s approach to creating architecture. He is sought after by museums because of his ability to craft buildings that shift your perception so that you are open to new experiences. He views each of his museums as a “vessel” whose purpose it is to prepare you to see something different. His philosophy promotes a phenomenological and material-focused approach to designing buildings, rather than one that favors the scenographic or picturesque. 

Exterior view from 2nd Street.

As I wrote on my blog in 2010, I had the pleasure to speak with Irene Zenev several times during our pursuit of the commission. Irene “gets” architecture and recognizes the fact that the proposed museum will be a civic asset for downtown Corvallis. She understands that outstanding architecture will deliver added value to the display of the collections. During the architect selection process, she studied contemporary museum projects, visiting and being particularly impressed with the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City. She would be surprised to learn that MAD was designed by an Oregon native—Brad Cloepfil—and his Portland-based firm. Due in no small part to Irene’s advocacy, BCHS swung for the fences and chose Allied Works, ensuring an architectural landmark for downtown Corvallis. 

It’s beyond impressive how the BCHS has persevered for so many years to realize such a significant cultural project. Likewise, the support of the community has been tremendous. Many in Eugene and Lane County will most certainly look to the Corvallis Museum with envy when it opens its doors sometime next spring or summer. I’m looking forward to visiting the museum again upon its completion and filing yet another report here on my blog.