Sallyportal: Madly Blogging Reed

PAB Wins “People’s Choice” Award

By Randall S. Barton on November 13, 2013 03:51 PM

The undeniable curb appeal of Reed’s new Performing Arts Building (PAB) earned it a thumbs-up in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Portland awards for design excellence. The PAB won first place in the People’s Choice Award in the Portland AIA’s annual competition, open to firms, members, and associate members throughout Oregon.

The public was invited to participate by voting on their favorite of the 68 entries displayed on presentation boards for more than two weeks in the rotunda of the Pioneer Place shopping mall in downtown Portland. More than a thousand people cast their votes by going to a website or scanning a QR code.

Designed by the Portland firm of Opsis Architecture, the building celebrated its grand opening in September, when thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors admired the its light, airy spaces and dramatic interior. Architecture possesses a vocabulary all its own. Rather than attempt to imitate, we will quote the description Opsis used for the atrium, where:

... a ‘woven’ fir wood paneled wall forms a backdrop curtain that modulates the space with light and shadow throughout the day. Stairs are formed as theatrical objects creating movement while defining place. Sustainable strategies designed to achieve Earth Advantage’s Gold certification include fully naturally ventilating the main atrium, radiant heated floors, an eco-roof terrace, and red oak salvaged from fallen campus trees.

The massing and materials seek to set the building within the campus tradition of simple brick walls and deep vertical stone window surrounds. The atrium roof forms a floating canopy connecting the two sides of the atrium and forming covered porches to both the city and campus entries. A bridge reaches out to connect the top floor directly to the campus quad – inviting all to explore.

We congratulate Opsis on the award.

Tags: performing arts, architecture