Transforming SAIF's Salem Campus SAIF's existing Salem Oregon campus was characterized by outdated and seismically deficient buildings from the 1960s and '70s. SAIF needed a comprehensive upgrade to align with their vision of "making Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work". The existing campus suffered from poor workstation layouts, inefficient collaborative spaces, inadequate daylighting, and insufficient department connectivity, all of which hampered interaction and collaboration for the staff. Our Vision We reimagined the campus by stripping the existing buildings to their core structures and adding a new modern five-story wing along Church St. The new structure, clad in curtainwall and metal panels, created a cohesive and contemporary headquarters designed to accommodate SAIF's growing, multi-generational workforce. Enhancing Collaboration To foster a collaborative work environment, we introduced large openings in the existing slabs between structures, channeling natural daylight into previously dark interior open office and conference spaces. These double-height spaces not only enhance daylighting but also provide inviting collaborative and social areas with views of the central courtyard, featuring a magnificent two-hundred-year-old heritage oak tree. Sustainability and Future-Proofing Sustainability and forward-thinking design were paramount. Given the campus's proximity to Pringle Creek and its location within a 100-year floodplain, we raised the building foundation and occupiable areas by four feet—twice the height required by FEMA—by infilling the existing basement floor. Sustainability Designed to meet LEED Gold standards, this 50+ year building features hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems, water conservation systems, high-performance enclosures, low-flow fixtures, and advanced lighting controls. SAIF’s new campus is projected to use 40% less energy than a code-equivalent building, underscoring our commitment to sustainability and efficiency.

“It truly feels like our efforts on this project will make Oregon safer by providing a working environment that allows SAIF to better serve their mission.” -Ricardo Becerril, Owner Representative of SAIF “It truly feels like our efforts on this project will make Oregon safer by providing a working environment that allows SAIF to better serve their mission.” -Ricardo Becerril, Owner Representative of SAIF Taking cues from the architecture team's "Inside Out/ Outside In" approach, we used site context to inform space planning and finish selections. Rich layers of native greenery playing off the site's statement oak tree provided the focal point and inspiration for a palette of monochromatic elements accented with bright jewels of color. Open spaces with expansive views to the outdoors replaced dated lighting and limited window sizing to create a healthy, inviting workspace. SAIF is a company who prides itself in being the most healthy and secure environment for its employees. An additional layer of scrutiny was applied to the final interior package. Security protocols and textural necessities were incorporated seamlessly to be intuitive to end users. Our integrated approach—interiors, branding, and architecture—created a cohesive vision and experience with dexterity to deliver a "safe" space for our client. From kick-off through design, we interviewed various SAIF taskforce groups to encourage a design process of multifaceted perspectives. By building consensus across the meeting series, we brought these critical stakeholders along each stage of the project and facilitated their transition from the old workspace to the new.