Visiting the Center for Architecture

Although I've been to the American Institute of Architects' new Center for Architecture in the Pearl District several times since it opened earlier this year, last week I was given a tour by one of the architects involved in the design, Dave Otte of Holst Architecture.

Fist, though, in proper disclosure: AIA/Portland is a leading sponsor of this weblog and a former employer of mine. Although Portland Architecture is a blog and not journalism, I want to be upfront about the fact that I'm writing about a sponsor here. Particularly in its new home, the Center For Architecture seems very relevant to local architects and design enthusiasts as a place to connect.

Occupying what was originally a brick horse stable on 11th Avenue, and much more recently also was home to the SK Josefsberg photography gallery, the CFA is defined by its spatial flexibility and sustainable design and construction. 

The 5,000 square foot project is slated to earn a Platinum LEED rating from the US Green Building Council.

In addition to Otte, the design team also included architects and past AIA/Portland presidents Stan Chesshir, Nancy Merryman and Doug Benson as well as Brian White of Architecture W. "It definitely was a lot of cooks in the kitchen," Otte told me. "It made it a more lengthy process, but I think it was still better for it, getting all of those ideas into one project."

At the old AIA space on 4th Avenue, the many committee and community meetings held there were in the back of the space; here, they're upfront along a bank of large windows. Coupled with numerous skylights that are outfitted with movable louvers, the natural light is more than plentiful enough to render artificial lights unnecessary.

A massive rainwater collection system stores water underground, and the water tank itself includes a system of steel beams that actually provide support for the rest of the building (a seismically bracing wall was removed during construction for more openness). An underground forced-air HVAC system delivers heating and cooling, while the concrete floors (poured with a high concentration of recycled fly ash) hold their thermal mass to prevent any temperature extremes.

On the exterior (pictured above in a shot by Katy Cannatelli - the interior shots are mine), there is also a green or living wall beginning to grow on a vertical trellis. The system was originally supposed to be flashier, with a metal and modern-looking apparatus. But for budgetary reasons it was cut back, and as it happens, this simpler trellis seems more fitting anyway.

This month the in-house gallery at the CFA features a display on the design and construction of the building. And this Friday afternoon at 4PM, the Center For Architecture will also play host to a salon and discussion with Eric Cugnart of Mulvanny G2 Architecture on the proposed SMART Tower.

Next time you're out gallery or restaurant hopping in the Pearl, check out the Center For Architecture. And although it's an AIA office and gallery now, the CFA may be poised to become its own nonprofit organization promoting the cause of design in Portland. Congratulations to Saundra "Big S" Stevens, the longtime AIA executive director, as well as the rest of the AIA staff, the CFA's financial and design supporters, on a job well done.

Comments

[steve]

looks like a very nice space...but i still see those ugly water stains on the roof in that interior shot. any word on getting those fixed? it gives architects a bad name when their own center leaks water!

[Horsewhistle]

Brian,

Before the architecture, regarding your disclosure, can you take a minute elaborate on the differences and similarities between the writing of a blog and that of journalism? Also, defining your relationship as a paid journalist and an author of a blog would be helpful as well.

I have heard a few perspectives and would be interested in understanding yours.

[Brian Libby]

Horsewhistle,

In a general sense, journalism is reportage and profiles with a team of fact-checkers and editors behind it, while a blog is in most cases the writings and opinions of one person or a small handful. Even as I write that, I know there are exceptions and qualifiers, though. For me what it means is that when I'm writing for a publication like The Oregonian or Dwell magazine, I have a responsibility to that entity to be as impartial as possible, and to make sure all facts are accurate. Here, although I of course want to be accurate, I see a blog as more like unfiltered conversation that contains aspects of both journalism and talk radio. I feel the freedom to express my own opinions here, and to engage in wisecracks and off-the-point asides that a regular publication wouldn't allow. I also don't have anyone editing what I write, either as it relates to content or spelling/grammar/punctuation. A blog is both a chance for more personalized coverage, ideas and information as well as a risk for the writer of being sloppy or too hasty. In that way, again, blogging is a little more like live conversation.

Does that answer your question? Feel free to email me as well at brianlibby@hotmail.com

[DBronx]

Sorry, but I have to say that chandelier in the entry hall has to be the ugliest light fixture I've ever seen.

Imagine a huge water balloon hanging from the ceiling with a light bulb in the stem. Hardly, something I'd expect to grace an architectural exhibit and conference space.

My other complaint is that their exhibits are poorly publicized and often are over before I've heard about them.