Oregon's 150th at AIA Center for Architecture

Tonight's First Thursday walk will mark the opening of "150 Years of Oregon Architecture" at the American Institute of Architects/Portland chapter's Center for Architecture in the Pearl District (403 NW 11th Avenue).

The exhibit includes scores of historic and archival photographs documenting the architecture of our state over its century and a half since entering the union with full statehood in 1859.

Below are a few of the pictures included in the exhibit. In order of top to bottom are the former Oregon State Capitol building (completed in 1873 by Justus Krumbein) in Salem, the Ainsworth Bank (1881, Clinton Day) in Portland, Portland High School (1883, William R. Stokes) and Villard Hall at the University of Oregon in Eugene (1885, Warren H. Williams).

Comments

[conspiracyzach]

What moron got the great idea to replace the old capital building instead of restoring it? The one we have now is so ugly.

[Scott]

agreed...the current capital seems so dated for some reason...although it's the loss of the last two structures that kills me the most...ugh

[ws]

I used to not like the current capital building but I've grown to appreciate; such a simple, clean design. The gold statue on top is kind of pushing things, but it's o.k.. There doesn't seem to be a shortage of buildings related in appearance to the old capital building..or am I wrong?

Portland High School: What would be the possibility today, of building a structure to look like that (including the steeple) that met modern safety standards and requirements? If a building design can be art, it certainly seems like that one is.

[rwnobles]

The original State Capitol burned to the ground. Probably beyond restoration.

The last building pictured is Villard Hall. It is still standing, although one facade is now covered by two later additions.

[rwnobles]

Also, that capitol building looks like any other. I like the current one. It is different, iconic, of its time, etc.