MID-CENTURY MODERN ADAPTIVE REUSE PROJECT OF US MOTORBANK BUILDING: PORTLAND, OR
PERSPECTIVES
DRAWINGS
PROCESS
MODELS
There are a rising number of mid-century modern buildings that are reaching their 50 year mark, upon which they reach nomination for the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Many buildings constructed during this era are not well constructed and are inefficient structures. Many were even built as temporary buildings. As designers, we must consider the option of repurposing these buildings, or demolishing them. This project looks at a possible design solution for repurposing a mid-century US Motorbank Building into a desirable office building in downtown Portland, OR. This design removes the interior main corner component, exposing views up to the rest of the office tower, which takes the open floor module of the existing building and mimics it in three volumes that rotate and shift for solar exposure and contextual location so not to block sunlight from surrounding buildings.
As one of the first motorbanks, its car ramp is the main feature of the design. The existing ramp serves as a transition from the first to second floor restaurant/retail public space as well as the primal reaction behind the design of the main circulation throughout the office complex. Two set of stairs form a double helix and are based in the home of the existing ramp, shooting upwards landing in each volume in the appropriate location for necessary existing distance. The double skin facade offers additional protection from the elements as its higher elevation as well as to provide conditioned ventilation into the office spaces. Rooftop terraces offer different experiences at each volume.
As one of the first motorbanks, its car ramp is the main feature of the design. The existing ramp serves as a transition from the first to second floor restaurant/retail public space as well as the primal reaction behind the design of the main circulation throughout the office complex. Two set of stairs form a double helix and are based in the home of the existing ramp, shooting upwards landing in each volume in the appropriate location for necessary existing distance. The double skin facade offers additional protection from the elements as its higher elevation as well as to provide conditioned ventilation into the office spaces. Rooftop terraces offer different experiences at each volume.