A historic chapel transformed into a flexible, multi-use hub for design education.

The Commons, a central event and studio space within the Innovation Building on UO’s Portland campus, was fully reimagined as part of the larger adaptive reuse of the historic complex. Originally built in 1951 as the campus chapel, the space offered both challenges and opportunities for TVA’s renovation team. The goal: transform it into a dynamic hub for UO design students, supporting studio crits, presentations, and public events, while honoring the building’s architectural heritage.

From the moment demolition began, the team embraced the unexpected. Existing concrete steps, unreinforced masonry walls, and modified trusses limited the possibility of creating a single open space. Instead of viewing these as obstacles, they became opportunities to shape a space with character and functionality. Working closely with the University, the team reimagined the Commons, designing a stage with hidden storage to support flexible furniture arrangements and multiple event configurations.

One of the standout features of the Commons is its system of pivoting steel frames, which serve both functional and aesthetic roles. Designed to support the large presentation boards used by UO design students, the frames rotate perpendicular to the long walls to create smaller, more intimate interior rooms that foster focused critique and discussion. The boards provide generous pin-up surfaces while also enhancing the acoustics of the space. For larger gatherings, the frames pivot and fold neatly against the long walls.

Wherever possible, TVA preserved original elements, exposing concrete walls, beams, and ceilings to celebrate the building’s history. These retained surfaces reduce construction costs and create an industrial, raw backdrop for studios and events. The interplay of old and new, fixed and flexible, results in a Commons that feels alive, reflecting both the University’s design ethos and the energy of the students who inhabit it.

Today, the Commons functions as a vibrant, multi-purpose hub, a space where students collaborate, present, and engage with the broader community. It is a vivid example of how thoughtful renovation and creative design can transform a historic space into a modern learning environment defined by flexibility, character, and purpose.