The Bureau of Land Management selected Miller|Hull to design a 20,000 sf interpretive center on the Yaquina Headland in Newport, OR. The site has been designated an Outstanding Natural Area and contains the renovated Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the second oldest active lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. The project also includes an extensive trail system with various interpretive elements throughout the site such as kiosks, waysides and observation decks.

A trail leads from the interpretive center to an observation deck, passing under the road via a tunnel to a dramatic south facing vista. From this deck one has unobstructed views of the south coastline, whales, seals and birds.

To maintain the pristine quality of the headland, the interpretive building is positioned at the west end of the reclaimed rock quarry, where a large exterior concrete deck sits at the base of the 100 foot tall basalt wall. Interpretive panels tell the story of the quarry operation and a landscaped area shows how the indigenous plantings have helped in the recovery and cleaning of storm water and in softening the abrupt, man-made edges of the quarry.

Completion Date:
June 1997