Southern Oregon University – Lithia Pavilion

ZCS assisted in the replacement of the aging McNeal Pavilion on SOU’s campus by providing Civil and Structural Engineering support to Perkins + Will. Renamed Lithia Pavilion, the 24 million-dollar, multistory building contains a 1,400-seat competition gym amount other features for the university’s student body. The project also included a 17.7 million-dollar Student Resource Center funded by increased student fees voted on by the students. The Resource Center overlooks Raider Field and offers several distinct features including a suspended running track, multistory rock-climbing wall, and recreational gym. Suspending a running track opens the door for vibration issues and ensuring performance of the track was paramount. Complex modeling and vibration analysis during design resulted in a track that is a landmark of the building.

Given the steep slope from Raider Village down to Raider Field, creative design approaches were required to maintain connectivity between the various buildings and the field. Greenspace on the west side of the project allowed for a series of stairs and ramps to create an accessible path down the slope to the football stadium and an outdoor learning space.

SOU Lithia Pavilion & Student Resource Center earned LEED Gold certification in March 2019.