As the year and the decade wind down and Portland Architecture approaches its fifth anniversary, this seems like a good time to acknowledge and say thank you for the generous contributions of our sponsors.
First up is BetterBricks, the commercial building initiative of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. A nonprofit organization supported by local electric utilities, BetterBricks and NEEA advocate for changes to energy-related business practices in Northwest buildings.
In this era of heightened appreciation for the impact climate change is having on our environment and our economy, energy efficiency is a crucial component in addressing these issues. On the organization's website, BetterBricks.com, you find information, tools, training and resources to help buildings make a difference to the bottom line and the environment.
Coming up on February 11 is the annual BetterBricks Awards, which recognizes professionals across the building industry for their advocacy and design work. Nominations are still open (the deadline has been extended) and you can vote for your favorite green champion here.
A big thank-you is also due to Glacier Window and Door, local sales affiliate for high-quality brands like Loewen. Although Glacier is a sponsor, I've also had the opportunity to learn a lot from one of their reps, Michael Dugger, about what makes a high-quality window or door. There are many products out there purporting to be sustainable that have a lot less of a lifespan than the top-level windows and doors that Glacier purveys.
What's more, Glacier has not just acted as a Portland Architecture sponsor. The company has been active in supporting and underwriting activities and initiatives at the American Institute of Architect's Center For Architecture this year.
Speaking of which, although the AIA/Portland chapter is no longer a sponsor, they were the original sponsor of Portland Architecture and provided sponsorship that continued from 2005 when the blog started until spring of this year. Thanks again to Saundra Stevens and AIA. Thanks also to Homestead Images, which was a three-month sponsor this year. Homestead is run by talented photographer Matthew Ginn.
Realty professional Bob Zaikoski and his company, Portland Modern, also are due much thanks. This has been a very tough year for the real estate industry - like Great Depression tough. But Portland Modern has hung in there as a Portland Architecture sponsor, and that's greatly appreciated.
Portland Modern and Bob also represent one of the city's foremost authorities on contemporary and classic midcentury modern houses. Bob is a particular expert on the titans of local architecture history such as John Yeon, Pietro Belluschi, Saul Zaik and Robert Rummer. If you're looking for your own private Street of Eames house, call Bob.
Two furniture stores I love, Hive and Design Within Reach, are also much appreciated sponsors. Hive is the top local contemporary furniture store in town. It was founded in 2002 with the idea that good design can and should be presented in an inspired, knowledgeable and friendly manner. The store is an authorized retailer for brands like Alessi, Artemide, Carl Hansen, Cassina, Flos, Knoll and Vitra to name just a few. I'm particularly fond of the Eero Aarnio Ball Chairs.
Design Within Reach's Pearl District studio (in the base of the Wieden + Kennedy building) has been a partner in the Designs On Portland series of bimonthly talks that I host, and naturally this is the store where one finds many of the most legendary pieces of classic modern furniture: the authentic Eames chair, the Corbusier lounge, the Barcelona chair, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Barrel Chair. The store is currently having a sale of up to 50 percent off, so it's not too late to make yours a Designer Christmas.
Portland Architecture sponsorship is much cheaper than most print and internet advertising options, yet it reaches a robust audience of design professionals and enthusiasts. If you run a company or nonprofit organzation with a message to get out, please consider becoming a site sponsor in 2010.
Meanwhile, thanks again to all of Portland Architecture's generous sponsors.
Comments