Design calendar: November 17-30

A rendering of Memorial Coliseum (image courtesy City of Portland archives)

BY BRIAN LIBBY

Saving the Gold Old Houses
The current uproar over increased demolitions of historic homes has a distinct precedent from a generation past. 25 years ago, in 1989, 23 citizen activists were arrested when they formed a human chain to prevent a local developer from bulldozing a historic home on NW Overton Street designed by the renowned firm Whidden & Lewis. This resistance eventually led to the creation of the Alphabet District in NW Portland, zoned for preservation of historic homes and properties. A panel discussion will include five veterans of that struggle: Nancy Nesewich, Ruth Roth, Joleen Jensen-Classen, Frank Dixon and Rick Michaelson. The discussion will also be simulcast on KBOO radio (90.7 FM). Architectural Heritage Center, 701 SE Grand Avenue. 7PM Tuesday, November 18. Free.

AIA Historic Resources Committee: a conversation about Memorial Coliseum
The Historic Resources Committee of the American Institute of Architects' Portland chapter will be joined by Susan Hartnett from the City of Portland's Office of Management and Finance, who will discuss the study on Veterans Memorial Coliseum recently commissioned by the city. The study, ordered by Mayor Charlie Hales and adopted by City Council last month, will explore not only renovation options but also mothballing and demolition. AIA Center For Architecture, 403 NW 11th Avenue. 12PM Wednesday, November 19. Free.

Fred G. Meyer, the Claussen Brothers, and the Architecture of “One-Stop Shopping”
Perhaps no other entrepreneur had such an impact on 20th century Portland as Fred G. Meyer. In the 1920s, Meyer began building his eponymous “One-Stop Shopping” stores around the Portland area. This program, hosted by Architectural Heritage Center president (and Portland Architecture contributor) Fred leeson, takes a close look at the life and work of Meyer as well as the work of the architectural firm of Claussen & Claussen, with whom Meyer frequently worked, all drawing from Leeson's book about Meyer, "A My-Te-Fine Merchant." Architectural Heritage Center, 701 SE Grand Avenue. 10AM Saturday, November 22. $20 ($12 for AHC members).

 

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Comments

[Dave]

I love Fred Meyer and his story. However, good architecture is the last thing I would say about his stores. Most are hideous and examples of what not to do. Cheap remodels over the years haven't helped.