An acronymic mouthful (but less tongue-twisting than the full name) – we’ve been hard at work on the ecoroof for the OHSU CDRC (that is, the Oregon Health Sciences University Child Development & Rehabilitation Center).  The project is associated with new roofing for the entire building, and is being designed by TERRA.fluxus along with Teufel Landscape and Snyder Roofing, continuing the innovative design-build partnership work on Green Above Ground.  The team is also working with OHSU staff under the guidance of Orange Wall Studios for architectural design project management of the project.

Overall scope includes around 6,000 square feet of extensive ecoroof along with layout of ADA egress pathways, small patio areas and roof terraces for adjacent offices.  The re-roofing is well underway, and the vegetated portions of the ecoroof should be completed by mid-September.  Look forward to some progress shots of the installation in coming weeks.

A vital aspect of many projects is the ability to quickly visualize the impact of certain design strategies.  TERRA.fluxus recently had the opportunity to pursue some creative visualizations, working with Tremco Roofing on a pair of projects in California.  The first project is for Washington Hospital Healthcare System (WHHS)  in the bay area of Central California.

PATIENT ROOM

BEFORE:  As you can see, the existing roof condition shows a view from a patient room, focused on the myriad rooftop piping and other equipment which steals the impact of the distant vegetation and mountains.

AFTER:  Inclusion of extensive green roof in the foreground, coupled with a vegetated screen panel, offers the opportunity for improved views and to direct the eye towards the distant view.  This implementation of biophilic principles is even more important for medical contexts, where studies have shown improvement in healthcare outcomes due to views of nature.

EXTERIOR WALL

BEFORE: The second visual was for an existing building, containing a blank facade which will front a new building.  Any monolithic wall, with minimal windows or other fenestration, is a great opportunity for an easily improved view.

AFTER: The visual incorporated an image of an existing living wall (in this case, Patrick Blanc’s Tacoma Goodwill Wall) to show what the transformation would be from the relatively sterile view.  While not expressly aimed at showing an actual product or direction, these ‘designs without a design’ are just simple ways of putting strategies within the site context of a clients property.

There are obviously many ways to provide a snapshot of a design to a potential client.  This variety is simple and easy – relying less on photo-realism than on collage to represent possible visions of the site.

TERRA.fluxus was fortunate to have the opportunity to submit a proposal  for the Minn Zidell Garden at the National College of Natural Medicine a 10,000 s.f. healing and botanical herb garden blending natural and chinese medical plantings along with sculpture, and usable park space.   While the selection panel ultimately chose another firm to provide design services, it was a great opportunity for this young firm to have the chance to be part of this process.  The RFP process was a bit different, as it involved developing a preliminary plan that was part of the determining factor for determining the selected team.  In that regard, our team developed a great plan incorporating both campuswide and site specific ideas – and we wanted to show it off – as seen below in the concept design graphic.

Our team, although unsuccessful in this endeavor, wishes to thank NCNM for the opportunity, and wish them the best on their development of the Minn Zidell Garden.  Look forward to seeing it come to life.

Last Thursday’s Oregonian featured a nice article ‘Outposts for food carts are sizzling in Southeast Portland’ all about new food cart hubs emerging, including Good Food Here (more info on the design here).  One of the residents of the fast growing 43rd and Belmont pod (now with almost 10 carts up and running) includes the funky bus from Creme de la Creme (image via the Oregonian).

A choice quote from the article:

“…the property owners at these two carefully planned Southeast sites are betting that the city’s appetite for cheap street food is still growing and that family-friendly cart pods in residential neighborhoods can do business as brisk as the rollicking late-night Cartopia pod at Southeast 12th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard. “It matters to us that this is a hub, a part of the neighborhood,” says Neeley Wells, project manager for Good Food Here. No alcohol or smoking is permitted at the site, and all carts close at 10 p.m. There are picnic tables under shade trees, portable toilets and planter boxes filled with edible plants; in winter there will be heated tents.  The land is owned by Urban Development Partners NW LP which eventually plans to put a mixed-use building there. But until then, the company is putting the site to work. Nine carts are operating, with five opening soon. Wells is seeking “the city’s best pizza and barbecue” to fill out the culinary offerings.”

Other fabulous carts on site include Dog Eat Dawg, Rockabillies, Namu (a second location), Lucille’s Balls, The Urban Garlic, DE-pressed, and Yum Zap (with more on the way).  Any carts have links, I’m happy to add them.

A mere snippet of an article on the Tour de Coops last Saturday, where we had 250 or so folks come through on a hot, hot, hot, day.  Via OregonLive:  “It’s just like Street of Dreams , but smaller and with chicken wire’ offers some pithy quotes on the state of coop design.  As I was talking non-stop for 4 hours, I didn’t have a chance to snap any pics myself, but anyone that did, feel free to shoot an email.

From the story by Steve Beaven:

“…several dozen people streamed into Jason King’s backyard in the first hour of the event, eyeing the coop that he and his fiancée designed and built themselves.  They both admire modern architecture and they wanted something that was environmentally correct. So their coop includes an eco-roof covered in plants. There’s also cedar siding and a run made of chicken wire.  The coop and the run cost roughly $1,000, King said, and took nearly three months to build.  “It was more time-consuming than I was anticipating,” said SuSu Hunniecutt, King’s fiancée.   “The chickens don’t really have an opinion about the coop. It was more for us, how detailed we wanted to be about it.”

While everyone was complementary of the coop and it’s style, there were definitely many good questions, particularly on the DIY Ecoroof… here’s a link to the previous post on Landscape+Urbanism that shows the steps for this.

These questions inspired me to collect pics of said steps…and as a resource, I have developed a quick ‘D.I.Y. Ecoroof Project:  Guide for Small Ecoroofs’ – using the Chicken Cube as inspiration… (link to PDF here) and click the photo for a larger version.

(thanks to my neighbor Adam for snapping the front yard shot above)

I had the opportunity to venture up to the Multnomah County Building for a short presentation to the participants in the Oregon Sustainability Experience, and snapped a few shots of the Hope Garden in mid-year splendor.  While we’ve had an admittedly strange weather year, the garden seems to be doing well, with early cool season plants phasing out and warm season plantings putting on some growth.

Some of the section of greens include lettuce and broccoli that’s starting to bolt – opening up some space for late summer and winter plants to come in.

The lasting beauty of some plants – even after their productive life is over, such as the vibrant yellow blossoms on broccoli.

Last week marked the kick-off for an exciting new project to create an organic garden at the Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville, Oregon.  This is an opportunity for Jason King to work with the campus again (now owned by Capella Health) after working on a pair of projects while at another firm*.  This project involves a remnant section of the property to the south, which is envisioned by Becky Prelitz, dietitian at the hospital, as a productive organic garden area.

The team took a look at the site on Friday, showing the context adjacent to the existing track area and the transition zone between the campus and adjacent agricultural lands.   The team includes local master gardeners, urban farmers, staff from WVMC – all working together to create a productive space that will incorporate crops that will be harvested and utilized within the hospital cafeteria.

The initial meeting identified some uses, components, and options for incorporating healing elements, but the focus is squarely on creating a vibrant space for growing a range of veggies for harvest and consumption throughout the year.  The site is truly a tabula rasa, encompassing over 2 acres of land.  Plans are for the garden to be implemented in phases – starting with an initial installation of one-eighth of an acre.

Look forward to more updates as we plan for this field of green – turning grass into a much more robust and diverse use – feeding the community of Willamette Valley Medical Center.

* (Healing Track and Oncology Center completed while at Macdonald Environmental Planning)

This weekend’s episode of Garden Time featured the video on the Chicken Cube – as a prelude to this year’s Tour de Coops (happening this Saturday, July 24th).  Check out the snipped as they interviewed myself and the chickens – and featured some details on the coop design.  Purchase a guide book and see lots of inspiring coops this Saturday, and hope to see lots of folks there.

The most recent A-List of Landscape Architecture published by the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce.  TERRA.fluxus made the tail end of the list in it’s initial year – in a tie for 27th (rankings are determined by number of licensed landscape architects).

Had a fun morning with the folks from local TV show Garden Time as they interviewed myself and the chickens – and featured some details on the coop design – for some upcoming coverage on the Tour de Coops (happening July 24th).  The Chicken Cube will be one of the 30 or so featured coops this year, and should be a fun time to discuss urban chicken-keeping and ecoroofs as an added bonus.  Not sure exactly what order, but episodes will air the next two Saturday mornings (July 17 and 24 at 8:30 am on KATU Channel 6 locally) and other locales around the state (check listings).

Also, you should be able to see snippets of the videos online at their YouTube page (I’ll post them as well once they are up).  Here’s snapshot of them filming some promos.

This weekend offered some time to make some long-awaited upgrades to the coop, including a reconfigured nest box, widened access for cleaning, and the beginnings of the chicken run (framing seen in the photo above).  To see the finished product, check out the Tour de Coops - taking place on Saturday, July 24th, from 11am to 3pm.  The event offers an opportunity to visit a range of coops in Southeast, Northeast and North Portland.  Check out the link to find out where to purchase guide booklets ($15) and get more info from and about great local group Growing Gardens.