City of Salem Public Works
The team from Hacker are fantastic collaborators and teammates. First and foremost, they listened and asked questions to truly understand our organization and its needs. They constructively challenged us with design concepts to test our own understanding of how we work and how we should adapt to the future. All while working seamlessly with the design-build contractor to find practical solutions that met the budget. Working with them has been incredibly rewarding, successful and fun!
Allen
City of Salem
City of Salem Public Works
Salem, Oregon
50,000 SF
Client Notes
Unite multiple public works departments together in a light, bright, and open atmosphere where both administrative and field workers are welcomed and valued. Promote employee health and well being through materiality, movement and biophilia. Respond to their essential role as an emergency response facility by focusing on functionality, resiliency, and durability.
Designer Notes
The role of Public Works Department is to keep the city running and enable its citizens to thrive through maintenance and management of natural resources. In Recognition of this work, the design captures the moment where industry and the elements meet through hardy materials crafted in ways that express their connection with nature. Three gabled buildings forms emulate the industrial context and are offset to create welcoming plazas lined with native plantings and stormwater planters. Central attractors unite the form and build community amongst diverse departments, field and office workers alike while also providing choice in ways to work and collaborate. A mass timber structure is expressed throughout the building and set against a simple palette of steely tones, the pattern of untreated hot rolled steel, exposed aggregate concrete, and seating that harkens to a leather work glove. Priority was placed on material durability, climate, and human health.
Certifications
Designed to meet LEED Silver Equivalency
Recognition
IIDA Oregon: Pubic and Civic Honorable Mention, 2024
People
Caitie Vanhauer / Daniel Childs / Sarah Weber / Marissa Jordan / Caleb Couch / Kirsten Heming / Anya Norcross / Mayumi Nakazato / Van Stanek
Jen Dzienis, Project Manager
David Keltner, Design Principal
Laura Klinger, Principal-In-Charge
