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The 10-story building was inspired by the form of an airplane hull, and it sits right in front of the PDX main terminal on top of a new parking structure. The consolidation of the Port of Portland’s offices and employees will place about 230 people into the new building in hopes of improving work efficiency and created a unified front. The office floor plan is open to encourage collaboration and a more unified organizational culture. The use of natural daylighting and smart lighting controls creates a more agreeable work environment for the employees.

The 9th floor of the building features an eco roof that collects rainwater and minimizes stormwater runoff, and a green roof planted with drought tolerant plants is located on the other side of the building. Two hundred geothermal wells provide ground source heating and cooling, and an auxiliary cooling tower kicks in for peak periods. A reflective roof membrane, high-performance glazing, and energy-efficient lighting minimize energy demand for the building. Additionally, a Living Machine processes all of the building’s waste water from toilets, sinks and showers for reuse in toilet flushing and the HVAC cooling tower.

+ Port of Portland

Lead Image © Eckert & Eckert