A major renovation of Strand Agriculture Hall, started in 2013, was completed in time for fall term 2015. The major goals for the project were seismic and accessibility upgrades. Strand has gone from one of the least accessible buildings on campus to one of the most accessible, as the project included goals of providing four accessible entrances (versus one segregated ramp entrance previously), an elevator to the 4th floor for the first time, better fully accessible restrooms throughout the building, and signage upgrades.
A key design challenge in providing four accessible entrances was to figure out how to address steps outside and inside three of the four entrances. In addressing this, the architects designed gently integrated walkways outside those three entrances, shallow enough to not be considered ramps, and built interior ramps with integrated informal lounge space - as the building lacked informal space before. The fourth entrance was made accessible through the construction of a new porch on the west side of the building with integrated ramps, providing direct access from Strand to the MU Quad for the first time.
Life @ OSU article: Strand Agriculture Hall re-opens after seismic, accessibility remodel.
OSU Capital Planning and Development: Strand Ag Hall renovation project.
Ramp removed, accessible main entrance
New main entrance showing integrated ramp and lounge
North entrance showing new accessible paths with stairs relocated
New north entrance interior showing integrated ramp and lounge
Internal stairs retain historic features with new accessible handrails
Strand south entrance showing new accessible paths with stairs relocated
New south entrance interior showing integrated ramp and lounge
All restrooms are fully accessible, main public restrooms are doorless.
New west entrance provides full accessibility and a porch for gathering
Another view of the new west porch, benches, and accessible pathways
New elevator access to the fourth floor while maintaining the historic vault doors