Oregon Convention Center Renovation
Portland, Oregon • 2019
*Work completed at Mayer/Reed.
The Oregon Convention Center is located near the east bank of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Occupying an 18-acre site, the facility hosts regional, national, and international events. In anticipation of the newly constructed Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, Metro embarked on a comprehensive renovation of the convention center. The upgrades include extensive renovation of the interior spaces as well as a reconfiguration of the exterior plazas and entrances.
The water is treated and conveyed to a new stormwater celebration planter at the main entrance that marks the size and duration of rain events. The site makes extensive use of weathering steel to celebrate Oregon’s maritime climate and Portland’s industrial history as an important port city, showcasing natural process that occurs when mild steel is exposed to oxygen and water. The layout of the site improves circulation and ecological performance while providing flexible use spaces, showcasing public art and elevating the function and quality of this important civic institution.
Client: Metro
Architect: LMN Architects
Rainwater is captured by the new plaza and directed through dramatic arrangements of regional basalt columns into stormwater planters.
Brian led Mayer/Reed’s project team, working closely with Principal Jeramie Shane and founding principal Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA. In collaboration with LMN Architects, Colas Construction and Metro, Mayer/Reed led the design of the exterior improvements. Brian managed the effort from site analysis and programming through documentation and permitting and through a collaborative construction phase.
