27th Aug2010

OHSU CDRC Ecoroof Takes Off

by Jason King

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.

Category : ecoroofs, environmental, heathcare, images, landscape, planting, portland, projects, sustainability, vegitecture
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24th Aug2010

Vegitecture Visualizations

by Jason King

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.

Category : biophilic design, ecoroofs, environmental, graphics, heathcare, images, landscape, living walls, planting, presentations, projects, roof gardens, vegitecture
2 Comm
15th Aug2010

NCNM Healing Garden Design

by Jason King

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.

Category : competitions, graphics, heathcare, images, landscape, portland, presentations, projects
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08th Aug2010

Good Food Here in the Oregonian

by Jason King

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.

Category : business, community, food, installations, portland, projects, publications, urban voids, urbanism
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