91视频

The Portland Design Commission on Thursday voted unanimously to approve plans for the Lincoln High School replacement project, which will transform a historic institution in the Central City. Commissioners showered praise on all aspects of the design, including its context, public realm elements, and quality and permanence.

Designed by Bora Architects and landscape architect Mayer/Reed, the replacement consists of a six-story, 102-foot-tall building providing 281,000 square feet of educational and support space, a new athletic track and field, and a teen/parent center.

During design advice sessions previously, commissioners asked for activation of the ground floor, and the design team responded. A walkway lined with stream-like pebbles will cut between the school building and the track on a north-south axis. On the side of the track and field, trees will be cut back to allow pedestrians to view any activities that might be taking place, further engaging the surrounding community with the school’s sports teams.

The new building itself will have red concrete panels meant to resemble the original building’s bricks, keeping a historic look for a very modern building. Large glass windows will enclose a staircase at the school’s northwest corner, at Southwest Salmon Street and 18th Avenue. This will give a transparent and active feel to the area, as people on the street step in unison with those climbing stairs inside the school.

鈥淚t’s masterfully done,鈥� Commissioner Samuel Rodriguez said. 鈥淚t really walks the line between what was and what is, and it’s a building of its time.鈥�

The project will have an eco-roof, which is required by the city for buildings of this size. However, the surface area has been reduced from 60 percent to 28 percent. The design team compensated by providing more than 60,000 square feet of plantings at ground level to serve the same purpose. Commissioners said the green space is better used at ground level, and will add to the public realm, which is an important aspect of such a project.

The roof will instead feature maintenance machinery, which neighborhood residents previously stated would be a bit of an eyesore. Testimony from one resident led the Design Commission to delay a vote until the design team decided to go forward with a screen that will hide the rooftop mechanical units from public view.

With public attendees swayed in favor of the project, commissioners decided to vote whether to approve the land use application 鈥� and all six in attendance affirmed the design.

鈥淐ontext and public realm are so well integrated in this proposal,鈥� Commission Chairwoman Julie Livingston said. 鈥淚t definitely is the best response for the kids.鈥�

Ground will be broken on the project in February 2020, according to the design team.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story erroneously described both the building’s exterior and its roof.