The new public works campus in Bend, Oregon, marks a significant step in sustainable construction by utilizing weathering steel cladding in its high-desert environment. This development is crucial for the AECM industry as it demonstrates innovative use of materials and design strategies that enhance durability and energy efficiency.
What Happened
The City of Bend embarked on a $130 million project to consolidate five public works departments into a single, 35.5-acre campus. Completed in November 2025, the campus is designed to support long-term growth and resilience while improving energy efficiency and occupant well-being. The buildings are clad with 102,360 square feet of A606 weathering steel siding, chosen for its ability to withstand the harsh desert climate and its low maintenance needs. This material's rich rust color and vertical lines provide a visually appealing contrast to the surrounding landscape of volcanic rock, juniper forests, and sagebrush.
The project was delivered through a progressive design-build approach with Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company partnering with Hennebery Eddy Architects. Skyline Sheet Metal handled the installation of the 22-gauge weathering steel, implementing a unique in-house pretreatment process to accelerate the steel's weathering, ensuring a consistent aesthetic from the start.
What This Means for Your Business
For AECM professionals, the Bend campus project highlights the potential of weathering steel to enhance the durability and sustainability of large-scale developments. This material choice aligns with Bend’s Strategic Energy Management and Climate Action Plans, meeting the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero standards. The project is fully electric, net-zero energy, and aims for LEED Gold certification, setting a benchmark for future public infrastructure projects. The use of progressive design-build delivery also underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving complex, integrated design solutions.
What US Operators Should Watch
Operators should monitor the evolving standards for energy efficiency and sustainability, particularly as they relate to federal and state funding opportunities. The Bend project exemplifies how aligning with strategic energy and climate action plans can unlock pathways to net-zero standards and certifications like LEED. Keeping an eye on deadlines for compliance with these standards, such as CMMC and NIST, can ensure competitive positioning in the market.
Source: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/projects/built-to-weather-in-oregon/. Read the original story ->
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