Project Overview

Modernized the historic 50,000-square-foot Britt Hall at Southern Oregon University to improve safety, functionality, and energy efficiency. Originally built in 1937, the building housed essential student services and OHSU nursing labs but suffered from aging infrastructure, seismic vulnerabilities, and outdated MEP systems. The renovation included seismic retrofits, complete MEP replacements, ADA compliance upgrades, and modernized classrooms and offices.

Role & Responsibilities

🔹 Electrical Assessment & Upgrades – Evaluated and redesigned the building’s power distribution, upgrading outdated panelboards, transformers, and wiring to meet modern safety standards and support future expansion.
🔹 Interior Renovations – Reconfigured electrical and IT infrastructure to support new office layouts, meeting spaces, and student service areas, ensuring adequate power, data, and lighting.
🔹 Lighting & Life Safety – Designed an energy-efficient LED lighting system with advanced controls and specified a modern fire alarm system with full-building coverage and voice evacuation features.
🔹 HVAC & Plumbing Systems – Replaced outdated heating and cooling systems with high-efficiency equipment, coordinated ductwork placement, and upgraded plumbing fixtures to improve reliability and ADA compliance.
🔹 Construction Support – Provided oversight during installation, responded to RFIs, and performed site inspections to ensure compliance with design intent and university standards.

Key Challenges & Solutions

🔹 Retrofitting a Historic Structure – The building’s unreinforced 1930s construction posed challenges for integrating modern systems.
✔ Solution: Coordinated with structural engineers to route MEP components within new wall cavities and ceiling spaces created during seismic retrofits.
🔹 Aging Infrastructure & Code Compliance – Outdated systems did not meet current safety, accessibility, or efficiency standards.
✔ Solution: Conducted a full system replacement, bringing power, HVAC, and plumbing up to code while incorporating ADA improvements.
🔹 Maintaining Campus Operations – The project required temporary relocation of essential student services and OHSU nursing labs.
✔ Solution: Scheduled disruptive work during academic breaks and phased system commissioning to allow early turnover of key spaces.

Outcome & Impact

✅ Seismic Safety & Life-Safety Upgrades – Reinforced structure and installed a modern fire alarm system, improving occupant safety.
✅ Energy Efficiency & Sustainability – Achieved LEED Silver certification through HVAC improvements, LED lighting, and insulation upgrades.
✅ Enhanced Learning Environments – Created modern classrooms, faculty offices, and high-tech OHSU nursing labs to support academic programs.
✅ Historic Preservation & Modernization – Blended technical upgrades with historic architecture, ensuring long-term functionality.

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Planning a campus renovation or infrastructure upgrade? Let’s connect to discuss how NLS can help modernize your facilities while preserving their integrity and meeting today’s safety and efficiency standards.

Southern Oregon University – Britt Hall Renovation

(Ashland, OR)