The "Why can't we have buildings like THIS in Portland" Thread - Page 4

MarkDaMan · #61 Posted **Dec 21, 2008, 5:45 AM**

I know he has a lot of defenders, but I blame Art DeMuro, and those that share his mindset at the HLC causing pathetic and weak designs coming out of our 'historical' districts.

Instead of being concerned about preserving actual historic buildings, the HLC advocates for faux old architecture instead of allowing something stunning and ahead of its time contrasting with actual historic architecture.

cab · #62 Posted **Dec 21, 2008, 5:01 PM**

Don't let the architects off the hook. I don't think most local architects could produce something like this. Look at the new boxy park in the works Downtown. Art Demuro's of the world didn't drive that design. I don't know if its training or what, but everything being produced locally is incredible boxy and hard. The above sample is a very natural, elegant form that seems to flow with and from the environment. US stuff tends to impose itself on the environment with very harsh forms. We tend to box in nature, rather then flow with it. Who knows maybe its the residue of western culture manifest destiny.

PDX City-State · #63 Posted **Dec 21, 2008, 11:22 PM**

This should be the prototype for a new year-round home to the Portland Farmers Market.

urbanlife · #64 Posted **Dec 22, 2008, 12:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab

Don't let the architects off the hook. I don't think most local architects could produce something like this. Look at the new boxy park in the works Downtown. Art Demuro's of the world didn't drive that design. I don't know if its training or what, but everything being produced locally is incredible boxy and hard. The above sample is a very natural, elegant form that seems to flow with and from the environment. US stuff tends to impose itself on the environment with very harsh forms. We tend to box in nature, rather then flow with it. Who knows maybe its the residue of western culture manifest destiny.

you are right about that, but from what I am seeing in school, I would guess that it has more to do where the current architects in town got their degrees from when they were in college years ago. With Portland State starting their new masters degree that is art focused. I wouldnt be surprised to see a shift in design in the city 15 to 20 years from now....I know that is a long time to wait, but that is about how long it takes for someone in college now to move up the ranks and hit that point in their careers usually. Architecture design is a very slow moving creature, so change in mentality of design takes a long time.

PacificNW · #65 Posted **Dec 22, 2008, 10:32 PM**

Public market backers eye site near Morrison Bridge
Portland Business Journal

Supporters of a year-round Public Market have set their sites on a county-owned parking lot near the west end of the Morrison Bridge.

The market, to be named for native son James Beard, would be a year-round indoor facility showcasing Portland food. Backers previously hoped to locate the market in a former U.S. Post Office in Northwest Portland, but lost the 130,000-square-foot building to the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Now, market supporters are soliciting donations to a capital fund to buy the site near the Morrison Bridge. Supporters say the property near the Willamette River is centrally located for downtown shoppers and workers and is close to the MAX light rail line.

The market and its partner, Melvin Mark Development Co., want to construct a high rise with the market serving as a ground floor arcade.

The property is owned by Multnomah County which earmarked proceeds from its sale to the fund it needs to replace the aging Multnomah County Courthouse. The cost of a new courthouse is estimated at $250 million or more. The county has not committed to selling the valuable site to the Public Market.

Anticipating a competitive sale in early 2009, the market is asking supporters to make year-end contributions to its nonprofit entity, The Historic Portland Public Market Foundation, P.O. Box 511, Portland, OR, 97207.

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/12/22/daily11.html

rsbear · #66 Posted **Dec 23, 2008, 1:18 AM**

I wonder which block it is? One of the two that face Naito and are mostly encircled by the cloverleaf ramps to the bridge? Or the one facing Second between Alder and Washington? I hope it's the latter.

PacificNW · #67 Posted **Dec 23, 2008, 2:23 AM**

I think it is the block "directly" north (across the street) of the Bank of America tower. At one time both blocks were destined to be "twin towers" to make a strong "welcoming" statement entering downtown via the Morrison bridge. Now they are probably looking at building a tower on its own merits....OR.... Maybe it is that awful tower directly south of B of A.....(one one that seems to be mostly vacant. One can hope that this tower will be replaced in the future, imo.)

InlandEmpire · #68 Posted **Dec 23, 2008, 3:54 AM**

Hey, sorry just a few thoughts as an ex-Portlander that browses your threads once in awhile..

Don't put TOO much blame on the architects. There is that beautiful thing called value engineering, which all too often will dilute an architects vision into what we end up seeing constructed in this country. My guess is that the architectural community of Portland is made of of alums from across the country, not just UO and PSU grads, so the design processes those schools preach may not be fully to blame (though there were an awful lot of Ducks at AMAA when I worked there)....the design review commission of a city has an unfortunate (in my eyes) amount of say in these matters as well. Just my $.02.

Portland in my mind should be a city to push the envelope, both with design and respect to the environment...it will get there. That being said, cities with the capital to build structures that AREN'T value engineered to death will be the ones that produce stunning design (i.e. Dubai..ugh)

PacificNW · #69 Posted **Dec 23, 2008, 4:35 AM**

Moderator: Could you remove my complete posting regarding the Portland Public Market from the Business Journal? I searched for the proper thread but couldn't find it but it appears that NJD found the thread and posted the same column. Thanks.

Marling · #70 Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 3:00 AM**

The way this black building halfway down the block fits into its immediate surroundings makes me very happy. Its easy to imagine this kind of thing fitting into Old Town, no? This is somewhere in Washington DC. Sorry I don't have any more information. Photo found here: http://flickr.com/photos/damonabnormal/3185439292/

PacificNW · #71 Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 3:03 AM**

I like it....I especially like the contrast of architectural styles and heights.

zilfondel · #72 Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 8:47 AM**

I like the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona.

Santa Caterina Market, Barcelona -Enric Miralles/Benedetta Tagliabue
here's a pic of it I found on myspace. Note that as part of the redevelopment project for the market, they added affordable housing adjacent to the market that fits in with the existing urban form.

more info

RED_PDXer · #73 Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 2:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PacificNW

I like it....I agree the contrast of styles and heights.

I would welcome something that's not faux historic in the historic district. It highlights the contrast in architectural styles without cheapening the history. That's pretty rad that they were able to get windows on the side of the building. It looks like a zero-lot line development, so they must've worked something out with the adjacent property owner.

urbanlife · #74 Posted **Jan 13, 2009, 7:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED_PDXer

I would welcome something that's not faux historic in the historic district. It highlights the contrast in architectural styles without cheapening the history. That's pretty rad that they were able to get windows on the side of the building. It looks like a zero-lot line development, so they must've worked something out with the adjacent property owner.

I am guessing it has something to do with historical properties and air rights. I am sure it was a safe bet that the buildings next to it are never going anywhere. A very smart move on the building owner's part because it really opens up that skinny building. Everyone in that building is close to a window.

scottyboi · #75 Posted **Jan 22, 2009, 6:27 PM**

I know it seems odd...and it's about the only virtue I'll ever espouse about the city...even Omaha has a nice tower...the First National Bank Tower, a really nice homage to art deco grandeaur...and they even LIGHT their buildings at night..what a concept!

Port-of-Lands · #76 Posted **Jan 29, 2009, 10:03 PM**

The Shangri-La building in Vancouver. I think it is absolutely gorgeous.

Maybe in SoWa or just right downtown?

PacificNW · #77 Posted **Jan 29, 2009, 11:52 PM**

Stunning!

urbanlife · #78 Posted **Jan 30, 2009, 12:01 AM**

it would be cool to have something like one of Vancouver's tallest become a new tallest for Portland. Something with alot of transparency would be ideal.

nobody · #79 Posted **Jan 30, 2009, 8:48 AM**

The Shangri-La looks really great from so many parts of Vancouver. Such a cool building, I would love to see something like it in Portland.

JordanL · #80 Posted **Mar 17, 2009, 8:19 AM**

The answer to this thread is very simple: NIMBYs not only exist in Portland, they run our regulatory boards. Every single building older than so many years is a historical landmark that not only must be preserved, but requires the entire nearby area to be preserved as well.

It's good to not rush into demolishing and rebuilding old buildings... but c'mon... we have some truly atrocious building downtown that are "too old to demolish".

It's not like the architects a centry ago were God himself descending to earth and grace us with divine design.