Environmentally In Sync: Sustainable Architecture in Oregon
Ah, Oregon! Our state, with its rugged coastline, towering Douglas firs, the smell of wet soil, or the charm of Portland’s coffee shops. But something you might not know, unless you’re an Oregonian like yours truly, is that we have got a knack for green living. Right down from recycling our beer bottles to driving electric cars – Oregonians are nature aficinados. In line with this ethos, architects in Oregon are taking a leaf out of Mother Nature’s book and are bringing to life buildings that are, quite literally, shaping a sustainable future.
The Living Machine: The Brewery Blocks
The Brewery Blocks, a five-block shopping and office complex nestled up against Powell’s City of Books in the Pearl District in Portland, is one such marvel. This development takes sustainability to a whole new level through an innovative use of something we’ve got plenty of: Rain.
Here’s where it gets interesting. The buildings at the Brewery Blocks harness rainwater, treating it on site to supply their sanitation needs – a process which has been affectionately dubbed “The Living Machine”. Perhaps, only in Oregon, where it seems to rain nine months out of the year, could a system like this be so effective!
A Building in Bloom: the OHSU Center for Health & Healing
Head south along the Willamette River, and you’ll come across the Oregon Health and Science University’s Center for Health and Healing. Here’s an Oregon insider tip – don’t miss the breathtaking views from the Portland Aerial Tram. But that’s not all that’s impressive about this place. The Center for Health & Healing is one of the most energy-efficient medical buildings in the country.
With energy optimization being a concern in the current times, this building paves way using natural ventilation, daylighting, and an innovative system to recycle heat from medical equipment. Picture this: while the winter wind rustles up an old-fashioned Pacific Northwest downpour outside, the warmth inside is maintained by leftover heat from an MRI scan! Feels like a plot straight from an eco-friendly sci-flick, doesn’t it?
The Pioneer: First Tech Federal Credit Union
Ever heard of cross-laminated timber or CLT? In a nutshell, it’s a process involving paneling together layers of wood to create a material that’s strong, yet light. The First Tech Federal Credit Union in Hillsboro was Oregon’s first CLT building. While it may look like any other building from the exterior, inside it’s a whole different world. The structural bones of the building utilize the CLT advantage making it remarkably energy-efficient and earthquake-resistant.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good hike along the Eagle Creek trail or watching the surfers at Canon Beach, but there’s something special about seeing our very own Douglas fir trees being put to innovative use. That’s sustainability with an Oregon twist!
We’re Just Getting Started
Oregon has a special place in the green building revolution. Our state is blessed with conscientious architects who are working hard, hand in hand with nature, to create smarter, healthier spaces for us to live and work in. The essence of Oregon, with its natural beauty and deep respect for the environment, is caught up in these design marvels.
Sustainable architecture speaks to the core of what Oregonians hold dear—it’s about inventing the future while cherishing our past. Each day, as the sun rises over Mt. Hood and sets down the crystal clear coast, it offers a new beginning to redefine sustainable living.
After all, we Oregonians know a thing or two about fostering relationships – be it with our neighbors, or with Mother Nature herself. If you ever find yourself in this corner of the world, you’ll see how we Oregonians roll – and maybe, just maybe, you’d join us too. We’re Oregon, and we’re just getting started.