Oregon Supreme Court Rehabilitation

Location: Salem, Oregon

Year Constructed: 1914

Work Completed: 2022

Nominator: Hennebery Eddy Architects

Project Budget: $50M

DeMuro Award Recognizes: Oregon Heritage, Craftsmanship, Sustainability, Equity, Creative Seismic Upgrades

 

History: Constructed in 1914, the Oregon Supreme Court Building was the first building solely dedicated to state Supreme Court matters in Oregon and the first documented use of terra cotta in Oregon outside of Portland. The oldest surviving government building on the Capitol Mall in Salem, the building physically embodies an official legal presence in Oregon and continues to house the Oregon Supreme Court today. Architecturally, it is a premier example of Oregon State Architect William Christmas Knighton's body of work and the finest example of his work in the Beaux Arts style. 

 

Overview: Home to the Oregon Supreme Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, and the State Law Library, this three-story landmark features terra cotta, marble, and mahogany, with an abundance of classical detailing and a historically significant Povey Brothers stained-glass skylight in the courtroom. Modernization has provided a safer, more accessible work environment for the 60 workers integral to Oregon’s highest courts, and includes energy-efficient updates to interior systems, as well as replacement of the foundation for seismic resilience. Salvage and reuse of materials were employed where possible to preserve the historic character of the building, while also being mindful of embodied energy. Spaces were meticulously preserved by adhering to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and exceeding the state’s SEED requirements. Successfully listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a result of this project, this building is one of only two LEED Gold-certified historic base-isolated buildings in the nation, and the first in Oregon. 

 

Congratulations to the entire project team:

Hennebery Eddy Architects

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD)

Forell-Elsesser Engineers, Inc.

KPFF Consulting Engineers

Interface Engineering

Hoffman Construction

Knot

The Harver Company

Portland Coatings/Williamsen & Bleid

JS Perrot

EC Company

Hydro-Temp Mechanical, Inc

Pence/Kelly Concrete, LLC

 

Photos by Josh Partee.