The Port of Portland: Taking Flight?

In today's Oregonian, Alex Pulaski reports that the Port of Portland is contemplating moving its administrative headquarters from its current location in Old Town out to the airport. Although only in the discussion stage now, the move would represent a more efficient consolidation of facilities but also, however unintended, could send an unfortunate symbolic message as it jetissons the downtown central business district.

When I read this article, however, my thought wasn't about these issues so much as the fact that I've never been a fan of the Port of Portland's headquarters from an architectural standpoint. Whenever I go to the Classical Chinese Garden, which sits across the street, part of me whinces at having the view above framed by the Port building and One Pacific Square.

The architect for the Port of Portland building, completed in 1999, is Zimmer Gunsul Frasca. And that firm has been responsible for some very nice architecture, here and throughout the world. (Hell, I'm even currently writing an article about the range of compelling work they're doing.) What the firm designed for the Port, however, is a very bland brick box with a glassy portion at the corner.

Admittedly, I say all this not having ever been inside. For all I know, the POP is a real jewel on the inside. But on the outside, I think it's too bad that the Port didn't have the budget or otherwise the gumption to make a stronger, clearer architectural gesture. They are an important public institution, and while there's no need to call attention to yourself, there's also an added responsibility, I think, to build buildings of lasting civic value.

Say the Port of Portland does move to the airport within the next few years. What will happen to the building they left behind? At only about six years old, it'll still be viable office space for a generation. The Port could be long gone, then, and in their trail will be a drab office building that could have been much easier on the eyes.

Part of the problem with the building, I think, is how its parking is (unless I'm mistaken) not underground but occupying the second floor (and the third, spatially speaking). It's really hard to make that look good. As a result, the upper offices seem severed from the ground floor retail. The material palette is obviously brick and glass, which certainly can and have been made to work together well. But here somehow the brick feels too unadorned to be stately and not crisp enough to be attractive modernism. Plus the glass has a dark coating, which may be necessary to prevent a lot of heat gain but doesn't look very inviting.

As always, though, I'm curious if other people share my opinion about the Port of Portland's headquarters or whether you think I'm unfairly attacking a solid piece of design work. If there are people out there who like or even don't dislike this project, what is it I'm not seeing?

Comments

[NNW]

Absoultety...

One of things that disturbs me about Portland is with all the condo's on the watefront, the Pearl, and downtown - the skyline of the city is bland.

[Ray Whitford]

Uninspiring or Boring comes to mind. When I read the article and thought about the possible move I wondered if the HQ Building at PDX could be designed with a eye toward "status" or "signature architecture design"

Maybe Portlands' first pyramid will be at PDX.

Ray Whitford

[adron]

haha. First pyramid... but...

I digress.

The POP Building is a bit bland. I don't think it's bad really, just really mediocre. Mediocre doesn't attract business or people to something. With the current business mentality downtown it's going to be pretty tough to fill up a building of that size that just goes completely empty.

As for the POP moving to the airport, that actually makes a lot of sense from an economic viewpoint. Unfortunately it would leave a hole downtown.

[MarkDaMan]

I see the economics of why the Port would like to move to the airport. However, from my understanding the master plan for the airport included the possible new runway and expansion of terminals before the POP building was completed. I'm not sure if someone wasn't paying attention, or if the Port really doesn't care about presenting a responsible face to the public. I just can't justify them moving when they have a perfectly fine building they choose to build (and locate) in the downtown core.

If the port had a company lined up that wanted to purchase the building as a headquarters, I might be more receptive. What I don't want to see is a building sit empty in that part of town for the next ten years. Wasn't there a building, I think One Waterfront Place, which was to go a little further north? I don't see that getting built if this building goes on the market.

Instead of moving I would like to see the port switch out the faux awnings over the windows with photovoltaic panels like on the new OHSU building in SoWa.

[Rick Potestio]

If the POP moves, I would only ask that they take the building with them.