West Linn Public Works

New public works campus prioritizes operations and celebrates context

The new West Linn Public Works campus is perched on a steep slope, overlooking downtown West Linn, the Willamette River, and the valley. The site has wetlands and natural springs, conditions that add complexity, and from our perspective, opportunity. The architectural approach breaks the programming—field operations, fleet, and administrative—into three buildings, with the volumes cascading down the hillside and arranged around natural features to leave them undisturbed. Interiors are welcoming and efficient, prioritizing daylighting and views, and straightforward materials like mass timber, corrugated metal, and glass, connect with the Pacific Northwest context and the utilitarianism of public works. The new campus is designed to support the Public Works Department and the West Linn community for many years to come.

Client
City of West Linn

Location
West Linn, OR

Size
45,000 sf

Year
Estimated November 2026

Render of West Linn Public Works on a steep hill — The placement of the fleet building allows for pass-through garaging, a key consideration in the site design’s efficiency.

The architecture works with the site’s slope to increase operational efficiency. The administrative building with public-facing entry is placed at the top of the site, maximizing access to views and spaces that may be shared with other City and community groups. Field operations and fleet management are located deeper into the site, sequencing that accounts for security and the amount and type of activity these spaces will see during a typical day.

Render of West Linn Public Works site aerial

The careful placement of structures encourages those circulating the site to engage with the environment, experiencing nature as they move from space to space. Aligning the public works campus with the surrounding environment strongly informed the design approach.