Holst Architects’ 937 building on SW 9th between Glisan and Hoyt is nearing completion, and while it was anticipated as “bold” and “intriguing” by commenters at Brian Libby’s architecture blog when the first designs were released, I’m disappointed with the finished result. I like the shape and height. I like the red balconies, but like covering your building in puke-colored facade, a red balcony does not a bold design make.
I can see the balconies in different colored perspex. Red, blue, yellow, white and green. They’d really work to set off the bland uniformity of the windows. As it is, the red feels half-hearted, and it makes me wonder if the Stalinist feel wasn’t ironic or intended, after all.
As for the architects themselves, I have no architecture background, nor am I a planner. But I know it’s damn near impossible in Portland to convince the Kafkaesque historic landmarks commission, or the design review board, or the skull and bones club, whichever shadowy organization it is that controls who gets to build what with their money on their property in this town…that bravery is always the best policy. Every single time.
I have no idea what color your puke is, but I personally don’t see the comparison. I’m also reminded of your comparing the Casey to “puke curry” or something like that. Continually using the word “puke” to describe what you don’t like about buildings doesn’t cut it.
Not sure what you mean by “uniformity of windows.” I can’t think of another building in town with a less conventional window pattern. You say that you like the shape and the height, but say nothing more than that. What exactly do you like about it? What’s more, you’re damning a building that’s not even complete. The retail spaces have yet to be completed, and not all of the balconies have been attached. Would you review a restaurant that hasn’t opened yet? (I know Phil Busse would) You’ve just done the same thing. I also don’t see how adding multi-color balconies would improve this building other than making it resemble some queer lego set.
I do agree with you overall analysis that Portland’s architecture is generally on the cowardly side, but the 937 is a residential building and the cost structure of residential architecture (unless you’re in New York or a city where people can pay for daring design) doesn’t allow for the counsel of Jean Nouvel or Sir Norman Foster. The 937 aimed to be a handsome, minimally adorned building that broke the bland Pearl District slab tower mold in favor of a slender building with clean lines. I think it will succeed, and the renderings are gorgeous. I too had hoped the brick would be white rather than grayish tan, but it still looks pretty good.
If you really want good design in Portland, you should stop picking on the local developers who are taking a chance, and start advocating for change where it would actually happen. If great architecture is going to happen, it’s going to have to start with a civic project: a courthouse, amphitheater, bridge, housing project, public market, transit station. You should find allies in the press and civic sector who can get the message out. And for Christ sake, stop comparing everything to puke.
I have no idea what color your puke is, but I personally don’t see the comparison. I’m also reminded of your comparing the Casey to “puke curry” or something like that. Continually using the word “puke” to describe what you don’t like about buildings doesn’t cut it.
Not sure what you mean by “uniformity of windows.” I can’t think of another building in town with a less conventional window pattern. You say that you like the shape and the height, but say nothing more than that. What exactly do you like about it? What’s more, you’re damning a building that’s not even complete. The retail spaces have yet to be completed, and not all of the balconies have been attached. Would you review a restaurant that hasn’t opened yet? (I know Phil Busse would) You’ve just done the same thing. I also don’t see how adding multi-color balconies would improve this building other than making it resemble some queer lego set.
I do agree with you overall analysis that Portland’s architecture is generally on the cowardly side, but the 937 is a residential building and the cost structure of residential architecture (unless you’re in New York or a city where people can pay for daring design) doesn’t allow for the counsel of Jean Nouvel or Sir Norman Foster. The 937 aimed to be a handsome, minimally adorned building that broke the bland Pearl District slab tower mold in favor of a slender building with clean lines. I think it will succeed, and the renderings are gorgeous. I too had hoped the brick would be white rather than grayish tan, but it still looks pretty good.
If you really want good design in Portland, you should stop picking on the local developers who are taking a chance, and start advocating for change where it would actually happen. If great architecture is going to happen, it’s going to have to start with a civic project: a courthouse, amphitheater, bridge, housing project, public market, transit station. You should find allies in the press and civic sector who can get the message out. And for Christ sake, stop comparing everything to puke.
Smart comments, Mitchell. Thanks for the challenge. I do think the window pattern looks uniform. It doesn’t have to look like other windows in town–that would be “conformist.” It’s uniform. And dull.
The Busse comparison hurts! I think it IS fair to review this building before it’s finished…
I’m not picking on the local developers taking a chance, I’m picking on the regulators who won’t let them take more chances. Hence the visceral, pukey reaction. Because the situation makes me want to puke.
Hplergh.
I think there’s room for an architecture critic in this town who compares everything, either to puke, or to other bodily fluids. I think a simple message that things need to be bolder and braver beats “advocating for change” in typical understated Portland style. Advocating for change is what Chamberlain did when he went to visit “Mr.Hitler” in 1938.
Smart comments, Mitchell. Thanks for the challenge. I do think the window pattern looks uniform. It doesn’t have to look like other windows in town–that would be “conformist.” It’s uniform. And dull.
The Busse comparison hurts! I think it IS fair to review this building before it’s finished…
I’m not picking on the local developers taking a chance, I’m picking on the regulators who won’t let them take more chances. Hence the visceral, pukey reaction. Because the situation makes me want to puke.
Hplergh.
I think there’s room for an architecture critic in this town who compares everything, either to puke, or to other bodily fluids. I think a simple message that things need to be bolder and braver beats “advocating for change” in typical understated Portland style. Advocating for change is what Chamberlain did when he went to visit “Mr.Hitler” in 1938.
well it is certainly no denim suit.
well it is certainly no denim suit.
Right. Like how the Peterson’s/Smart Park/Mother Goose block is made entirely out of urine.
The Pee Block is what I like to call it.
Right. Like how the Peterson’s/Smart Park/Mother Goose block is made entirely out of urine.
The Pee Block is what I like to call it.
I believe the original color of brick on the 937 was white, not beige. I wonder what happened.
I also believe that buildings in the Pearl District are subject to Design Commission review, which is comprised of some pretty savvy members, like Jeff Stuhr from Holst and Ben Kaiser of Path. The real problem in this city is the Historic Landmarks Commission. They absolutely should do what they can to preserve individual historic buildings, but the body continues to redefine its role as to how buildings ought to look and feel within historic districts. If this doesn’t change, places like Old Town are going to be full of faux historic crap.
I believe the original color of brick on the 937 was white, not beige. I wonder what happened.
I also believe that buildings in the Pearl District are subject to Design Commission review, which is comprised of some pretty savvy members, like Jeff Stuhr from Holst and Ben Kaiser of Path. The real problem in this city is the Historic Landmarks Commission. They absolutely should do what they can to preserve individual historic buildings, but the body continues to redefine its role as to how buildings ought to look and feel within historic districts. If this doesn’t change, places like Old Town are going to be full of faux historic crap.