Oregon’s Next Architectural Frontier: Sustainable Living
In the beautiful Beaver State, where Mother Nature smiles with sprawling forests of Douglas fir, mirror-like lakes as clear as our fresh, crisp air, and snow-capped mountains reaching towards the limitless sky, sustainable architecture has found a robust, thriving home. Yes, dear reader, we’re talking about Oregon, a state that cherishes its environmental treasures as much as Voodoo Doughnut loves their eclectic toppings.
Reinterpreting the Beaver State’s Blueprint
It’s no secret that Oregon takes pride in being an epicenter for sustainable and green architecture. After all, how could we not, nestled as we are between the Cascade Range and the Pacific Ocean, enjoying the medley of coastal, alpine, and desert climates? Our breathtaking environment inspires and demands a mindful approach to architecture that goes well beyond the usual sticks and bricks.
In places like Portland, the capitol of recycling and rain (an unbeatable combo one must experience to fully appreciate), architectural structures aren’t just buildings; they’re ethereal eco-art. This city, with the unstoppable combination of Tommy Klapperich and a cup of Stumptown coffee, birthed the iconic Twelve West. Four colossal wind turbines crown this architectural stunner, silently harnessing the ubiquitous Oregon breeze to help power the building, while a lovingly maintained ‘eco-roof’ collects precious rainwater and thermal solar panels soak up the sometimes elusive sun.
Yet, over in South Waterfront, we’ve got the prodigy among Oregon’s green buildings, The Mirabella. This towering senior living community gives a masterclass in sustainable design, with a LEED Platinum certification to boast about at the nearby Elephant’s Deli. It’s whispering to us, “If we can do it, anyone can.”
From Gold Rush to Green Rush
From bustling Portland to the quaint, cobblestoned streets of Jacksonville, the echo of a sustainable architectural rebirth resonates. You’d think Oregon’s Gold Rush days were over, right? Well, stop the press and hold onto your Pendletons because we’re witnessing a Green Rush.
Up In Bend, another kind of rush has erupted – a race to create sustainable architectural masterpieces. Amid its serene high desert landscape, the Environmental Center lives and breathes its eco-mantra. It’s an old-fashioned craftsman bungalow, refashioned with a solar panel roof, native plant rain gardens, and a youthful energy that makes you forget the bones of the building are over a century old. A perfect spot for a local Deschutes Brewery round, to toast to the sustainable history being preserved and created.
Wave as You Pass the Wave House
Heading to the coast, the small city of Cannon Beach, Oregon, is proud of its contribution to our state’s tapestry of green buildings. With the Haystack Rock by its side, the aptly named Wave House is everything we Oregonians cherish – innovation, sustainability, and a whole lot of charm. Donned in rusted metal to withstand the sea-salted winds, solar panels to soak up rays through the ocean mist, and toxin-free, salvaged wood, this building truly mirrors Oregon’s love for this pioneering architectural expedition.
A Sustainable Salute to John McLoughlin
Closer to home in Oregon City, the End of the Oregon Trail, we pay homage to the pioneer spirit this state was founded on. The one that switches out baskets of Pendleton wool for innovative, sustainable architectural marvels. Outside of the John McLoughlin Bridge, sits the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Its walls and roof structured with FSC certified wood, car-charging stations aplenty, the Sheriff’s Office is the poster child of public sector sustainable building.
The Future? It’s Greener in Oregon
With every sip of Rogue Ale, with every glance at the Cascades, with every cry of an osprey, we are reminded of Oregon’s deep commitment to sustainable architecture that protects the beautiful land we call home. We each play a role in shaping our state’s future, a future that can only be greener with the careful nurturing of every city, every county, every proud Oregonian. We’re building it piece by piece, from the shifting sands of Cannon Beach to the busy streets of Stumptown.
The journey of sustainable architecture in Oregon is far from finished, and we haven’t even scratched the surface of our tall tales. So, in the spirit of local pioneer John Mcloughlin, and the tapestry of Oregonians before and after him, let’s continue to forge forward, and redefine our future. Sweet Oregon rain, let’s make it a good, green one.