The Public Works Operations Building is a new civic cornerstone for Salem, Oregon—an operational hub that keeps the city’s infrastructure running and its community supported. Home to the Public Works Department, Engineering, and Administration teams, the facility provides essential space, resources, and working conditions for staff who maintain the backbone of the city every day.
Project Name: Public Works Operations Building
Studio Name: Hacker Architects
Location: Salem, Oregon
Photography :Josh Partee (interior), Lewis Williams (exterior)
The architecture expresses the intersection of industry and landscape. Three gabled volumes rise from the site, echoing the surrounding industrial structures while stepping apart to frame welcoming plazas. These outdoor rooms, planted with native species and integrated rainwater treatment areas, soften the campus and create natural gathering points for employees and visitors.
Inside, the building brings together field crews and office staff in a warm, durable mass timber environment. The palette—steely blues, muted earth tones, and natural wood—balances toughness with comfort, supporting both focused work and cross-department collaboration. The material strategy centers climate resilience and human well-being, reflecting the values of the people who steward the city’s natural systems.
Visual and tactile cues throughout the interior honor the department’s work. Metal siding references the tools used to manage water; Juniper wood nods to the region’s forests and soils. Light filters through continuous north-facing glazing, providing a constant connection to weather and seasonality—an essential backdrop for teams who work closely with the environment. Open stairs foster movement and visibility across divisions, while generous planters bring greenery indoors to reinforce a nature-focused workplace.
Sustainability guided every major decision. Locally harvested Juniper—an ecologically beneficial material that supports restoration efforts—encloses much of the exterior. Sixty-five percent of subcontractors were sourced from the Salem area, strengthening the local economy and rooting the project in community partnership.
Across its 50,000 square feet, the building emphasizes inclusivity, health, and durability. Materials were chosen for low maintenance and low toxicity, while design elements like custom railings and acoustic treatments serve both functional and artistic roles. Restrooms are planned for privacy and comfort for all users, and an all-user locker room provides field staff with dignified, direct access to showers and changing spaces after returning from outdoor work.
Rainwater planters throughout the public and staff courtyards manage onsite stormwater, cleaning it before it returns to the system and making water’s presence visible in the daily life of the building. This integration of beauty, utility, and environmental responsibility reflects Salem’s commitment to its people and its landscape.
The Public Works Operations Building stands as a model of civic stewardship—an environment that supports essential workers, respects natural resources, and demonstrates a harmonious balance between infrastructure and place.
