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Portland has many buildings that appeal to its architects, but the city’s layout and a decision decades ago to create open public spaces also are significant, they say.

The construction of Keller Fountain Park on Southwest Clay Street helped set the tone for public spaces that continues to this day, said Paul Soper, an architect with GBD Architects.

鈥淚t was really successful when it was built in and just really defined how you can bring nature into the city,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was revolutionary and became the face of progressive Portland for a number of years and showed very much a city that embraces nature.鈥�

Keller Fountain Park, completed in 1970 and later named for Portland civic leader Ira Keller, was the creation of designer Angela Danadjieva for Lawrence Halprin and Associates.

Michael Riscica of Michael Riscica Architecture agreed that the park helped establish Portland as a leader in bringing nature to its citizens.

鈥淚n my opinion it does a fantastic job of bringing a waterfall and the forest into the heart of the city,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nna Louise Huxtable (a renowned architecture critic) said it was the greatest urban space in America.鈥�

Halprin and his firm were also were responsible for the design of Lovejoy Fountain Park and Pettygrove Park as part of the Open Space Sequence. This series of parks was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Architect Rick Potestio of Potestio Studio said the designs by Halprin’s firm were 鈥渧ery significant鈥� in determining Portland’s devotion to public spaces.

鈥淭he idea to combine public spaces and fountains and dedicate that much territory 鈥� at a time when that might have been considered frivolous 鈥� put Portland on the map,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t put Portland at the forefront of rethinking the urban environment, about making public space a priority for the city.鈥�

Potestio said parks by Halprin helped pave the way for later public spaces like Pioneer Square, Director Park and Jamison Square.

鈥淭hat sequence (of parks) is important, and no other city in the U.S. has anything like this,鈥� he said.

Dave Otte, a senior associate with Holst Architecture, said public transportation structures, including the Portland Aerial Tram, Tilikum Crossing and light-rail lines are very important to the city.

鈥淏ig public infrastructure really changed the face of Portland more than any singular building,鈥� he said.

Another key infrastructure aspect of Portland is its original layout of short blocks, said Rick Berry, a principal with Scott | Edwards Architecture.

鈥淭he 200-foot block really encapsulates how Portland was defined to capitalize on the scale of creating more corner lots and a highly pedestrian city and buildings have better access to sunlight,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd the thoughtfulness and placement of our parks speaks of our deep love of nature in the Northwest.鈥�