Project Title: Simon and Helen Director Park
Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
Built, Unbuilt or Under Construction: Built
Firm: OLIN
Firm Website: www.theolinstudio.com
Project Team Members: Mayer/Reed, CMS Collaborative, KPFF, TVA Architects, James D. Graham, Benya Lighting, SOLARC, Architectural Cost Consultants, Design West, Green Building Services

Project Description: Formerly a parking lot the size of a city block, Simon and Helen Director Park now offers Portland a significant new urban experience. The park, built entirely over structure, has created public spaces with a range of microclimates, amenities, and activities, and has quickly become a unique destination and landmark for residents and visitors. A signature element is a glass and wood canopy accessible from the adjacent sidewalk and sitting high along the street’s edge, offering views over the park. A water element with arching jets and a semi-circular basin creates a comfortable environment for pedestrians and reinforces the architectural massing of the site by addressing the street edge and providing a balance of built elements within the park’s open space. Other elements include loose table and chair seating, permanent stone and wood benches, street trees, custom lighting, and a café. Both the stone-paved surfaces and glass canopy incorporate innovative stormwater techniques to capture and reuse runoff on-site to support the irrigation of plants during the dry months.

Image Credits: Images 1, 3, 4: ZGF;  Images 2, 6, 7: Eckert & Eckert; Image 5: OLIN