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CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Johnson Hall, a new, $40 million College of Engineering facility that will be home to the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University, will celebrate its grand opening on Sept. 23.

Johnson Hall's 58,000-square-foot interior includes a 125-seat lecture hall, state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, and a center focused on improving recruitment and retention of engineering students.

The three-story structure is supported by five, 52-foot, freestanding concrete shear walls, engineered to withstand earthquakes and winds up to 90 mph. This design also enabled the placement of many large windows, which supply ample natural light throughout the building. The open, bright aesthetic is continued inside, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

"The transparent glass walls to the labs make research visible to anyone walking by, and the open floor plan concept encourages interest, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration," said Scott Ashford, Kearney Professor and dean of OSU's College of Engineering. "I look forward to the research made possible here."

The building is named for longtime College of Engineering supporters Peter and Rosalie Johnson. Pete Johnson, a 1955 chemical engineering alumnus, revolutionized battery manufacturing equipment with his patented invention for making battery separator envelopes. The Johnsons committed $7 million to begin construction of the new facility, leveraging an earlier gift of $10 million from an anonymous donor and $3 million in additional private funds, matched by $20 million in state funds.

"This beautiful new facility honors the Johnson family and the many contributions they have made to the College of Engineering," Ashford said. "We are so pleased to carry on Pete's legacy of innovation by dedicating this space to collaborative research and hands-on learning for students."

James Sweeney, head of the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering, said the building will foster the school's continued growth and will further accomplishments in research and education.

"Johnson Hall will increase our reputation and standing among our peer institutions, and it will help us to continue to attract the top faculty and students to OSU," Sweeney said. "It will provide them with the tools they need to make high impact on Oregon, across our country, and around the world."

The grand opening, which is free and open to the public, will begin with a ceremony from 3:30-4 p.m. in front of Johnson Hall, at the intersection of S.W. Park Terrace Place and Monroe Street in Corvallis. Speakers will include OSU President Edward J. Ray, college officials, representatives of the Johnson family, and State Sen. Sara Gelser. Visitors will be invited to tour the building immediately following the ceremony.

Johnson Hall was designed by architecture firm SRG Partnership. It was built by Hoffman Construction, led by OSU College of Engineering alumni Kevin Cady '84, senior operations manager; and Nathan Moore '10, project manager.