Name: Bean Complex
Address: 1695 East 15th Avenue
City: Eugene
Year of Construction: 1963
Architect: Wilmsen, Endicott & Unthank
Original Use: Education / Residential
Status: In Use
National Register of Historic Places: Not Listed
Description:
In 1962, the University of Oregon hired urban planner Lawrence Lackey to plan future campus development. One of the buildings envisioned in the plan was Bean Complex, designed in 1963 by the architecture firm Wilmsen, Endicott & Unthank. Since its construction, Bean Complex has been a residence hall for students at University of Oregon. It was named after Robert Sharp Bean, a graduate from U of O who served as a State Supreme Court Justice and US District Judge.
Located on the east end of the campus, the complex consists of three buildings. The east and west dormitories have a square floor plan with three stories, each enclosing a square courtyard. A hall connects both buildings in the central section of the complex. The aesthetics of the building stem from the Modern architectural trends of the time. The structure includes concrete foundations, a light steel framing system, and brickwork walls. Exterior walls display vertical, precast concrete panels with exposed aggregate finish, connected by a series of white, aluminum casement windows.
The austerity of the complex contrasts with the landscape design of the exterior green areas and interior courtyards, which feature Northern Red Oaks, Pin Oaks, smaller ornamental trees, shrubs and perennials. Other landscape elements consist of concrete planters, lawns, concrete pathways and contemporary outdoor seating furniture.
A comparison between historical images of the buildings and their current appearance show that Bean Hall has experienced several alterations over time. Most importantly, two new elements were added between 2017 and 2018: a three-story, L-shaped structure on the south access, and a one-story, rectangular building on the northwestern facade.
References
“Introduction to the Plan .” Campus Planning & Facilities Management – University of Oregon. Last modified , 2019. Accessed September 12, 2020. https://cpfm.uoregon.edu/sites/cpfm2.uoregon.edu/files/introduction_to_the_campus_plan_4th_edition.pdf.
“Historic Resource Survey Form: Bean Hall.” Campus Planning & Facilities Management – University of Oregon. Last modified, 2006. Accessed September 12, 2020. https://cpfm.uoregon.edu/sites/cpfm2.uoregon.edu/files/beancomplex05_31_07.pdf
Teague, Edward H. “Bean Hall.” UO Libraries – University of Oregon. Accessed September 13, 2020. https://library.uoregon.edu/architecture/oregon/bean
Google Maps Street Views. “Justice Bean Hall”. Accessed September 13, 2020. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Justice+Bean+Hall/@44.0436938,-123.0677644,161m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x54c11e25557baf6b:0xfef4331ccedb065c!8m2!3d44.0437923!4d-123.0674165
Image Gallery
