architecture commercial cascades west center
congress of governments office building
toledo, oregon - 1998-2001
THE PROJECT
To design and oversee the construction of an economical 10,000 sq.ft. three-level regional office structure
for COG (Congress of Governments), a growing quasi-governmental agency, as part of a major Toledo City renewal plan.
The official client was the City of Toledo, but the ultimate owner would be the Congress of Governments.
This project required coordinating all details of the project with multiple levels of governmental administration
as well as taking public input before the final design was approved.
THE SITE
A small difficult hillside lot on Toledo's main street across from the City Hall.
THE CLIENT
The City of Toledo, in conjunction with:
Congress of Governments
Senior Services - Disabled Services
Salem, Oregon
THE BUILDER
Quade Commercial Construction Corporation, Contractors
Lincoln City, Oregon
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
The Study Model
Early Model, COG Offices, Toledo, Oregon, 2001.
The final design called for turning the building 90 degrees on the site and enclosing the lower level to create more interior space.
The original concrete civic "amphitheater/park" on the north of the building was replaced with a cedar observation deck.
The Plan
Final street level floor plan, COG Offices, Toledo, Oregon, 2001.
The street level features a Reception area, General Office, Interview Offices, Restrooms,
Employee Break room, and three combinable Meeting rooms.
The upper level contains two distinct office pools separated by restrooms, elevator, and repro room.
The lower level houses an entry from the parking lot, Over-flow office space, Storage, and buildling Utility rooms.
An Alternate Design
Front Elevation of early concept, COG Offices, Toledo, Oregon, 2001.
Rear Elevation of early concept, COG Offices, Toledo, Oregon, 2001.
In this view the early concept for a public "amphitheater" park can be seen.
Front elevation as seen in 2014, COG Offices, Toledo, Oregon, 2001.
Public deck area adjacent to COG Offices, Toledo, Oregon, 2001.
Foundation construction, COG Offices, Toledo, Oregon, 2001.
A important part of this contract was Construction Oversight with regular site inspections.
Because of old foundation elements from an old theater on this site, great care had to be taken when excavating
and putting in new foundations.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised august 2019