With a commitment to creating a hub of innovation and collaboration, the Knight Center for Accelerated Scientific Impact (KCASI) launches the University of Oregon into a bold new direction of scientific discovery. Set along the south bank of the restored Millrace corridor, the site supports science education, research, and entrepreneurship. A series of gathering spaces climbs from the water’s edge to the terrace, serving KCASI, the campus, and community. The site assists circulation, ecological care, and informal gathering.
KCASI extends the University to the north side of Franklin Boulevard, embracing the Millrace with gathering spaces that invite people into the Knight Campus to exchange ideas. It brings together people and entrepreneurship, enabling translation of concepts into products that benefit society. The landscape supports this process and fosters the Knight Campus mission.
Through its location and architecture, KCASI is a key addition to the north campus and a link to the Willamette River. It serves as a circulation feature and gateway for those crossing Franklin Boulevard. The north campus has entry points like bridges and tunnels. Entries focus circulation through the KCASI site, creating wayfinding and a welcoming experience.
Outdoor events on the Millrace Terrace and roof garden create programmable spaces. Entry courts reinforce arrival. At the front, a water feature rises from Franklin Boulevard and Agate Street. Along Franklin, dense plantings shelter the south entry and filter views, contrasting with boardwalks and overlooks that bring people closer to the water.
Planting wraps KCASI in greenery. Vegetation reaches Franklin’s edge, letting the sidewalk dip into the site. Pedestrians are shielded from traffic and linked to campus. Groves of River Birch and Serviceberry filter the frontage. A fern-clad stormwater basin is planted with rush and sedge, filtering rainwater into the Millrace.
Native vegetation restoration has been amplified by dredging soils and easing slopes. Boardwalks and bridges invite reflection. Logs, root wads, and boulders form a natural barrier, reduce erosion, offer seating, and trap sediment.
On the second-floor terrace, native trees and ferns create a garden in the sky. Heated benches and fire tables extend use. A translucent canopy offers rain protection.
Water unifies the site. A recirculating element lifts Millrace water into a basin and releases it back in a cascade enriched with oxygen. KCASI enhances ecological diversity and expands research north of Franklin. The site reflects Knight Campus goals—connecting to place, supporting stewardship, and offering opportunities aligned with service to humanity.
