Lincoln Hall, Revealed!
Portland State University's school of Fine and Performing Arts Dean's office and the Departments of Music and Theatre & Film returned to Lincoln Hall, "Old Main," the first building occupied by PSU on the South Park Blocks in Fall 2010 and are celebrating Lincoln Hall's 100th birthday this year.
In 2007, the Oregon Legislature authorized $29.2 million for a deferred maintenance project to upgrade the building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.) to perform seismic upgrades, and to meet accessibility standards. The overall renovation strategy was to maximize the use of existing space for academic programs. By installing a new highly-efficient HVAC system on the roof, the former basement mechanical spaces were turned into essential new academic spaces: an acting studio and music practice rooms. Then the seismic upgrade required that of 60 foot tall steel columns to be placed in the center of the building, the former light and ventilation shafts of the original Lincoln High School were reopened. Perhaps the most dramatic of many renovations, these light wells now flood interior spaces with natural daylight at every level.
In 2009, the State Legislature authorized $1.5 million economic stimulus funding to replace 324 existing single-paned inefficient exterior windows. Because the new windows are so energy efficient, the air handling capacity of the new HVAC systems now handles the need of the main performance hall thus eliminating its old, noisy mechanical system. A new 25 station MIDI computer lab for the Department of Music now occupies the old mechanical space.
New energy chilled beams and fin-tube radiators provide a quieter, more energy efficient cooling and heating system. Additional strategies, including water use reduction fixtures, water efficient and native landscaping, and thermal comfort monitoring, among other, have taken the Lincoln Hall project to the top of the LEED Gold range. With a generous donor recently committing funds to place solar panels on Lincoln hall's roof, PSU submitted an application in December 2010 to obtain LEED Platinum Certification. Lincoln Hall is now the first Platinum certified building on campus!
Current plans for the evolution of Lincoln Hall also include creating a stunning glass tower, which will not only add to our dramatic new front entrance, but also provide important additional studio space for our students. The fundraising goal for this next phase is $4 million and we invite the community to support our efforts to see Lincoln Hall as envisioned!
