Yesterday I made a belated visit to Henry V, headquarters for the company of the same name, which produces special events with high-tech audio, video and such. Designed by Waterleaf of Portland, Henry V is a $2.2 million conversion of an old dairy on Martin Luther King Boulevard (between Ainsworth and Portland Blvd.) and meets sustainable strictures for the US Green Building Council's 'Silver' LEED rating. It opened a few months ago.
There's a lot to like about this project. At the entrance, Waterleaf has created a wonderful sense of presence with a flat metal awning and two spires. The architects have also created a series of triangular-shaped glass openings that extend outward from the facade to capture more light. Inside, the space is bright and open with a series of striking diagonal columns for seismic retrofitting. Outside, the building is fronted by an attractive bioswale and a sculptural water feature that helps Henry V retain 100% of its stormwater.
The only thing I don't like about the Henry V project is how the water feature has necessitated a tall masonry wall right along the streetfront. I can only assume there are important reasons for the wall, but it detracts from the building's street presence. Overall, though, this is a nice project in a multitude of ways.
Nice project! I was curious if Waterleaf did the exterior landscape portion, or if they hired a separate consultant or Landscape Architect?
Posted by: Chris | February 13, 2007 at 04:08 PM