Oregon Military Department, Joint Forces Headquarters

Among all commercial/office buildings in the United States, the Design-Build Institute of America honored the Major General George White Headquarters with its highest designation of the National Award of Merit. This is due in large part to the new headquarters physically representing a cultural shift of the armed forces from a traditional employer to a contemporary one: the innovative open-office space and extensive use of glass/large windows significantly upgrades the workplace environment for staff members accustomed to bunker-like facilities. In addition, the building is highly sustainable while meeting stringent safety, security and resiliency requirements. Mutual trust and respect, built on long-term relationships with both the Oregon Military Department and SERA Architects, allowed this innovative, culture-changing headquarters to become a reality.