Portland is a mecca of environmentally friendly design and the city’s new sculptural One North complex is keeping that green reputation alive. Holst Architecture recently completed the eye-catching office project that draws inspiration from Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí’s modernist curves and emphasizes sustainability. Conceived as “an opportunity to break the mold for standard office spaces,” One North uses low-carbon footprint systems to achieve approximately 50 percent more energy efficiency beyond industry requirements.
Built on a former brownfield in the up-and-coming Williams District, One North comprises an East Building and West Building that frame a central 14,000-square-foot public courtyard. To the make development more attractive to the community, the architects created Gaudí-inspired jutting apertures that give the buildings a sense of movement and energy. Their projected forms also help provide solar shading and reduce energy use. The facade is clad in locally sourced and sustainably harvested timber siding that lend a sense of warmth.
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“Material selection was critical, and we emphasized low-carbon footprint techniques, such as wood cladding, cellulose insulation and mineral wool insulation,” wrote the architects. The timber-framed buildings are estimated to sequester 587,400 pounds of carbon within its 39,000 cubic feet of wood. Rooftop solar panels produce approximately 71-kilowatt hours of on-site electricity.
Via Dezeen
Images via Holst Architecture
