WPI is proud to have played an integral role in the construction of the Kirkbride Building at the Oregon State Hospital Campus.

This project was designed by Hellmuth Obata & Kassabaum Inc in conjunction with SGR Partnership. Built in 1883, the Kirkbride Building is one of very few remaining original buildings of the Oregon State Hospital that will be left after the construction of the brand new Oregon State Hospital facility is completed by Hoffman Construction Co. of Portland, OR.

The Kirkbride Building is a three story brick building that originally housed mental patients. The newly restored Kirkbride houses patient support areas and a court room on the first floor. The building also contains administrative offices on the second and third floors. In addition, the new building includes a small museum to commemorate the original building.

The Kirkbride Building is famous for being the location where the movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was filmed in the early 70’s. At that time, the building was over 90 years old and not in very good shape. The remodel included bringing this old brick building up to modern seismic standards, abatement of lead and asbestos based materials and implementation of new building codes.

When WPI first started this project, it was dark, damp, and creepy building. Nothing seemed to be level or square. Yet the WPI crew did an absolutely fantastic job of bringing this all together. The final product is now plumb, square, and level. The finishes in this building now help the building project a sense of encouragement and warmth.