Portland Building Tour

Portland Building - September 4, 2018 (my photo)

Along with my colleagues Jim Robertson, FAIA, FCSI and Carl Sherwood, AIA, I enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Portland Building this past Wednesday as its comprehensive remodeling nears completion. Our hosts for the tour were DLR Group senior associate Carla Weinheimer, AIA, DBIA and associate Erica Ceder, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA. Carla and Erica are two of the key DLR Group members of the design-build team who along with Howard S. Wright Construction (a Balfour Beatty company) were tasked with the $195 million renovation project. In addition to sharing details about the technical aspects of the numerous improvements to the building, Carla and Erica also provided us with insights into the successful progressive design-build process the project employed.

The building’s notoriety as the first large-scale example of the Post-Modern style in architecture, and its troubled history following its opening in 1982 are well-chronicled. I cut my teeth in the profession just as its design rocketed the then relatively unknown architect Michael Graves to stardom, and I’ve followed its saga ever since. Despite thinking it ill-proportioned and lacking in scale, I nevertheless have always considered the Portland Building to be of historic significance. I’ve also argued the building is essential to maintaining Portland’s high ranking on the weirdness scale, a not insignificant consideration if we take matters of place and identity into account. I am sure it would have been missed if city leaders had decided to raze the building.

To remedy its myriad problems—a direct outcome of how cheaply it was initially constructed—DLR Group determined the improvements needed to include a total reconsideration of the building’s exterior envelope. A new aluminum rainscreen cladding (pre-assembled as panelized sections) now covers the original painted concrete portions of the exterior, while a new terracotta rainscreen system is being installed where ceramic tile was previously applied. Together, they provide a long-term solution for a building that was plagued by leaks almost since it was first occupied in 1982. 

Rainscreen curtainwall assembly (DLR Group)

One of the new exterior wall panel sections ready for delivery. The panels were assembled by a fabricator in Mexico (photo courtesy of DLR Group)

Comparison of the mockup of the new panelized cladding system with the original facade (photo courtesy of DLR Group)

There’s a refreshing crispness and glow about the new over-cladding. Of course, this is in part attributable to it simply being new; regardless, under gray skies the building seems more radiant than it ever did with its painted concrete. From an appearance standpoint, I suspect the Kynar-finished aluminum panels will wear much better over time than the original façade.  

The punched square windows continue to contrast strongly with the cream-colored walls despite replacement of the very dark (only 7% light transmission) original panes with new, much more transparent (77% light transmission) and energy-efficient glass. What many who never entered the Portland Building before its renovation may not have known is how little of what appeared to be large areas of windows in the center of each façade was in fact only opaque spandrel glass. These areas of wall are now much more fully glazed, further brightening the interior workspaces.

Speaking of the interiors, the makeover is remarkable. City employees hated working in the building because of how dark and cave-like it was inside. Thanks to the new windows, new LED lighting and HVAC systems, and the opening up of large areas of the ceilings, the workspaces will be much brighter, more comfortable, and visually appealing. To help with wayfinding, DLR Group developed unique themes for specific floor groupings (“valley,” “river,” “sky,” “forest,” and “sky”), which are expressed through the use of differing color palettes and photo murals. Most employees will be assigned open workstations, with enclosed huddle rooms and phone rooms available for confidential conversations.

Erica Ceder of DLR Group inspecting one of the new office workstations. Note the large new window openings. (my photo)

One of the staff/visitor breakout areas on the upper office floors (my photo)

New meeting rooms on the Second Floor (my photo)

Other noteworthy changes include:

• Substantial upgrading of the building’s resistance to seismic forces; 
• Elimination of the entrance and ramp to the former underground parking level to allow the introduction of a huge window overlooking Chapman Square across SW 4th Avenue; 
• Expansion of the 1st floor public spaces by reducing the width of the previously dark and underutilized loggia and replacing its walls with floor-to-ceiling glass; and 
• Relocation of the primary HVAC equipment from the 2nd floor to the roof.

View toward the large new window at the east end of the entry lobby axis (my photo)

Having now seen the Portland Building as its renovation nears completion, I can say with confidence the essence of the original design is not only retained but enhanced. In my opinion, the integrity of Michael Graves’ design intent is preserved. Indeed, I have no doubt—if afforded today’s technologies and a proper budget—Graves’ firm would have executed the project using very similar means. Carla mentioned how Michael Graves Architecture & Design principal Patrick Burke, AIA reviewed DLR Group’s designs for the improvements and believed his firm’s namesake and founder would have approved. A noteworthy comparison is the 26-story Humana Building in Louisville, KY, which Graves designed shortly after the Portland Building and stands as an example of what his office was capable of when afforded a generous budget.

The project has not been without its controversy. Doctrinaire preservationists believe the new cladding violates the historic integrity of the building and will necessitate its removal from the National Register of Historic Places (because of its significance, the Portland Building was listed in 2011, well before the usual 50-year benchmark for being deemed historic). Preservation architect Peter Meijer (who wrote the National Register application) argued the new metal panels would never have the same look as the original painted concrete. Beyond the concerns of the preservationists, the City Auditor’s Office raised eyebrows earlier this year when it issued statements suggesting a lack of budget transparency and a failure to meet the project’s equity goals.

I predict these controversies will fade upon the building’s reopening late this year. As I wrote last November, I expect the Portland Building will still be standing a century from now, cherished and protected by generations of future Portlanders for the same idiosyncrasies that once drew scorn from legions of detractors. DLR Group’s improvements to Michael Graves’ era-defining design are meant to ensure it lasts that long and more.

Thank you Carla and Erica for giving us an exclusive look at the impressive transformation of a Post-Modern icon!

  

Carla Weinheimer (left) and Erica Ceder (right)