Lango Hansen & Metro Unveil Three Design Options for Lone Fir Memorial

Local landscape architecture firm Lango Hansen, who also designed the Hotel Modera courtyard (with Holst Architecture) that I wrote about recently on this blog and in The Oregonian, has unveiled three design options in a Metro-sponsored effort to re-introduce part of Lone Fir Cemetery in Southeast Portland. The agency is seeking public comment on which design is best.

Some background: Several years ago, when the Multnomah Building was planned to be demolished, there was concern that this corner of the cemetery would be developed as a mixed use building, which many locals strongly opposed because it was believed that the land belonged to the cemetery and there were still remains on the site. Multnomah County and Metro conducted an archaeological investigation, and it proved true. Since then, the property has been put on the National Register of Historic Places, as is the rest of the cemetery, and Metro is leading the effort to create a new design for the site that will be a memorial for the Chinese workers believed to be buried there. There will also be a contemplative garden with interpretive elements reflecting the cemetery's history and cultural diversity.

Another historical aspect of the property is that there were several mental patients buried on the site. A Dr. Hawthorne, for whom Hawthorne Boulevard is named, saw to their burial when these patients' families washed their hands of responsibility (mental illness was often hidden away by polite society in these days).

The three Lango Hansen design options are largely about how much of a memorial exists. The firm has provided narrative for each of the three options, listed as follows:

"Option 1 illustrates a long rectangular lawn with a memorial similar to the historic cemetery trellis, located at the east end of the project area. In front of the trellis a small bubbling fountain is proposed on a stone paving pad. The trellis and lawn are separated from the Morrison Street sidewalk by a band low shrubs and perennials to mitigate traffic noise. On the north side of the lawn a serpentine decomposed granite path meanders through a band of low shrubs and perennials providing pedestrian connections between the project site and the rest of the cemetery. A contemplative stone seating circle is located along this path, surrounded by cherry trees, in the location of where the remains were found."

"At the pedestrian entry off of SE 20th and Morrison, a grouping of four raised planters with low stone walls, similar to the walls found in the cemetery, provide a place for seating and colorful perennial plantings. A gateway feature, similar in design to the trellis, is flanked by these planters. This gateway could have side panels containing interpretive information about the cemetery for the public."

"In Option 2 the trellis on the east side of the project area is expanded in length, and the memorial more explicitly acknowledges the Chinese workers as well as Dr. Hawthorne’s patients. The Chinese memorial contains elements similar to a traditional Chinese cemetery altar, such as stone placement with the Chinese inscription “You are with us” and a funerary burner for offerings. The funerary burner could be a metaphoric work of art rather than an actual burner. These elements are placed in front of the trellis structure, with a large pine planted behind them. A larger paving pad surrounding the Chinese memorial acknowledges by name Dr. Hawthorne’s patients that were buried in the area. At the north end of the trellis a small cemetery maintenance building is proposed, which could be visually mitigated with plantings."

"In this scheme the lawn is contained by an elliptical path and is raised at the west end by a low basalt wall that would seep water. This water feature is a focal point in a pedestrian plaza at the intersection of 20th and Morrison. The plaza also contains a grove of cherry trees with benches and interpretive kiosks. Low growing shrubs create a separation of the lawn area from the sidewalk at SE Morrison Street."

"Historically, the Chinese cemetery contained a path down the center, running east/west. Option 3’s scheme recalls that path, but puts a slight curve in it, connecting the pedestrian entry at SE 20th and Morrison to  two separate memorials at the east end of the project area. The path could illustrate a time line of the cemetery or give voice to the rich history of the cemetery, by the use of inscribed stones set in the lawn, crossing the path at intervals, and becoming the interpretive element. The memorial to the Chinese workers is located in the northeast corner of the property and contains a” stone mountain”, similar to those in classical Chinese gardens, potentially using stone from the Guangdong province where the Chinese workers were from. The paving around this memorial could be a stone mosaic, and the entire memorial is proposed to be surrounded by plants of Chinese origin. To the south of this memorial a stone paving circle, nestled within northwest native plantings is proposed with interpretive elements acknowledging Dr. Hawthorne’s patients."

"At the pedestrian entry at SE 20th and Morrison an entry sculpture is proposed as well as a low mound containing a grove of cherry trees which leads into the site. The mound is backed by low basalt rubble walls similar to those inside the cemetery. Two basalt columns with an interpretive panel form a gateway to the cemetery at what was the west edge of the Chinese cemetery."

This project has come about through a grass roots effort over the past 5 years by Friends of Lone Fir, Buckman Community Association, the Consolidated Chinese Benevolent Society, neighbors and interested local citizens.

On Metro's website, there is additional information about the options as well as the opportunity for public input. Personally, I prefer the option that provides separate Chinese and Dr. Hawthorne memorials, but I also like the pathway going through the middle of the space. You don't want this solemn cemetery becoming an athletic field, after all. Meanwhile, congrats to Lango Hansen on a fine set of options.

Comments

[Bob R.]

I wonder if "decomposed granite" was the best choice of adjectives in this context.

[Aneeda]

I don't understand all the use of lawn in these schemes. This looks like it could be a dog park or a design for almost anything. I think it would be nice to look at the context and design a space with that in mind.

[Sean Casey]

Nice to see that Lone Fir is getting some attention. It's a great place. Why cemetaries aren't more popular to visit, never quite understood. They're quiet and peaceful.

I walk through the cemetary at 82nd & Holgate quite often(In fact be passing through there this afternoon on the way to the library). It could use some attention as well. Maybe some more trees around the perimeter, and a place to sit other than on the ground.

Seeing the pioneers of Portland laying next to recent immigrants is a real juxtapozition of old and new. It's alive in it's own way.

The options pictured for Lone Fir are nice, and looking forward to see how it all pans out.

[joe downey]

The story leading up to the three proposed designs is intriguing – the urban myth proves itself true and uncovers human remains. Amazing! Now, how is that translated architecturally?

Planters, seating, grass, kiosks and trellis structures? Really? That’s all we've got to pick from? I can visit that nearly anywhere! How can this place communicate the memory, myth, truth and secrets of this place?

[Ice Man]

While I think all three are safe solutions, I am not enamored with the options. Perhaps the simple pencil graphics and romantic forms don't scream "crazy dead people are here!"

[anon]

Is there a reason why all of the options utilize so much lawn?

To me, the choices are all boring in the same way (large expanse of lawn, with "decorative" elements sprinkled around the perimeters). It would be nice to see at least one option that strives for something more. Or how about an option that approaches the memorial within the context of the whole site and not just one small area?

[john w.]

I drive by this site almost every day and glad to see that Metro is finally doing something with this property. A couple of comments. First, please try to screen that ugly condo on on the corner of 20th and Morrison. When you are in the space, the last thing you want to look at is that faux beaux arts villa ugly brick building. Secondly, I like the idea of a public community space at the corner and not opposed to the lawn. Considering that the area is essentially a mass grave, I'm not sure what other choices there are (excavation and all!). I like the large oval of open space and after thinking about it more, why not have it be a space to picnic on - many other places treat cemeteries a lot differently than we do - why not an active space in the center of the memorial.

[Sean Casey]

I think John W. makes some good points. Screening the condos is a great idea.

I think the "lawn" look is because they didn't illustrate the grave stones in the proposals.

The active space idea is a good one too. Getting people to visit more often has the dual benifit of stewardship as well as enjoyment.

Again, looking forward to seeing the results.

[goose]

i also like the central path to break up the lawn, however i think more "closed" elements need to be placed on the southwest corner to hide that hideous building ~ maybe create another mound of cherry trees there or something. the short perpendicular path connecting to the back of the apartment building on the north side doesn't really make much sense to me. it seems it could be shifted to line up with the existing road in the cemetery. the seperate elements for the chinese workers and dr. hawthorne's patients is appropriate, but the words "stone mountain" make me nervous that the result may be slightly kitschy. also it would be nice to see it rendered further out from the design site so that we could see the connections to the cemetery more clearly.