OSU Uses Mass Ply for Hatfield Marine Science Center Housing Complex
In 2023, Oregon State University (OSU) began designing a new, 77-unit housing complex for their thriving Hatfield Marine Science Center. In three years, the number of students at the coastal campus in Newport skyrocketed from 100 to more than 500. Harborton Street Housing addresses the area’s critical need for workforce housing and provides a safe alternative to the school’s existing bunkhouses within the tsunami zone.
Photo provided by Trav Williams, Broken Banjo Photography
Freres Engineered Wood was thrilled to partner with O’Brien Lucas Ventures, a joint venture between Lucas Design Build and O’Brien & Company, on this project, providing Mass Ply Panels (MPP) for multiple building components. Structurally, MPP forms floors and ceilings of the three-story building, providing an efficient and durable solution for the modern build. By prefabricating the panels off-site, Mass Ply also allowed the design builder to save time and cut costs.
“I love that Mass Ply allowed us to work faster and more efficiently,” says Meysha Lovrien, project manager for Lucas Design Build. “It allowed us to work on multiple phases at the same time.”
Photo provided by O’Brien Lucas Ventures
Freres’ MPP also contributed to the building’s design aesthetic, which blended natural and industrial influences with exposed pipes and wood. This included custom Mass Ply stairs, allowing for a greater span and a floating stair concept, as well as exposed MPP for the underside of the canopies covering the exterior doors.
“On the coast it’s cloudy and rainy most of the year, so using natural wood provided that warmer aesthetic,” says Lovrien. “It really feels like a material for the Pacific Northwest.”
Photo provided by Trav Williams, Broken Banjo Photography
After several years of commitment and hard work, the complex officially opened its doors following a ribbon-cutting ceremony in early October 2025. The building’s beautiful collection of studio and two-bedroom apartments will serve the short- and long-term housing needs of faculty, students, as well as visiting professionals. And thanks to a spacious five-acre lot, there is ample space for future expansion, as needed.
Download a PDF of the OSU Harborton Street Housing Case Study