Travel Portland, a private non-profit destination marketing organization with more than 750 partner businesses approached IA with a missive to create a new work environment that captures the city’s essence through design, locally sourced materials, and artisan skill.
A city full of many stories, the city plan of Portland is divided into quadrants along an axis. The long aisles of at local icon Powell’s suggest passage and inspired a design theme based on portals that connect the quadrants, leading from one unique neighborhood to another.
In the elevator lobby, a hand-painted mural depicts Portland as a city of bridges and connectivity. An array of specialty light fixtures reference the distinct individuality of each quadrant. In the reception area, an abstract map of reclaimed wood forms a backdrop that continues across the ceiling and down the opposite wall to create a portal.
From there the design divides into four quadrants. Through locally made wallcoverings, custom light fixtures, murals, and details, the collaboration area and huddle spaces of each capture the distinct personality of one of the city’s quadrants. For example, a locally handmade ceramic light fixture represents the NE quadrant, known for its artists. A wallcovering with rich, bold colors represents the more upscale, elegant NW quadrant. All quadrants offer open workspace, private offices, and conference rooms designed with similar materials to provide continuity and unity throughout.
Four portals connect the quadrants: a public space, a hall surrounded by bookshelves, a large collaborative zone, and a wood screen that mimics well-known city streets. All of the wood in the conference room was locally sourced, the 22-foot long table crafted from a single tree. Reclaimed wood forms step seating at the back of the room that continues as banquette seating under the windows for all-hands meetings or leisure.
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