Our class developed the space concept for the OSC action center. This was the final presentation that Weiden & Kennedy put together based on our design input.

1. Oregon Sustainability Center
Creative Development
January 12

2. The OSC exists to lead and celebrate the
green economy of Oregon’s future. It acts
as a portal to Oregon’s green economy.
It is a response to the Living Building
Challenge, which asks how every aspect of
design and construction can make the world
a better place.
It will be home to Oregon's leaders in
sustainable business, government, and
education.
It will act as a laboratory for green technology
regionally and globally, designed to be the
greenest high-rise ever built — sourcing its
materials locally, creating its own energy, and
collecting and treating its water on-site.

3. 1. To define a positioning for the Oregon Sustainability Center.
The Challenge 2. To tell the story of the OSC using an interactive and engaging
space.
The role of the Action Center is to show all visitors that the OSC represents the cutting edge of
urban sustainable design. And to place its innovation in context of Oregon’s ambitions to
remain a world leader in building green cities.
It must be flexible enough to welcome new partners and content, to host temporary
exhibitions and respond to developments in sustainable innovation, while retaining a
consistent experience and purpose.

4. Towards a positioning

5. The OSC is a paradox.
A high rise tower with the footprint of a flower.
A building that can save us from buildings.
And help cities be part of a natural cycle.
It refuses to believe in that old conflict
Culture vs. Nature

6. It connects economic growth to sustainable development

7. The location speaks to the intent of the building.
It connects the worlds of education, commerce, city policy and residential.
Park blocks create a series of green corridors converging on the OSC.

8. The OSC is a Living Building
Built by the people, industries and
natural resources of Oregon
to help us thrive.

9. OREGON OSC WORLD

10. Built by the people and industries of Oregon
Over 90% materials coming from
Oregon/Pacific NorthWest
Over 100 different companies
involved in the construction.
780 jobs created.
$100m pumped into the Oregon
economy.
Supports 4 of the 5 largest, and 3 of
the 5 fastest growing industry
segments in Oregon.

11. Oregon Electric Group, Portland Charter Mechanical, Tualatin Orenco Systems, Sutherlin Benson Industries, Gresham Madden Fabrication, Portland
Marine Lumber, Tualatin Skyline Sheet Metal, Troutdale Advanced Metal and Wire Products, Wood Village Dura Industries, Portland
11
West Coast Paper, Eugene Hartung Glass, Wilsonville KPFF, Portland B&G Builders, Portland Collins, Portland

12. Oregon’s business has always come from its rich
natural resources, its manufacturing and
creative workforce
The OSC continues this tradition and
establishes leadership for the green economy
The building provides leadership at a time of
economic growth powered by sustainability

13. To connect the OSC with communities in
Oregon and beyond
To drive people to the OSC Action Centre and to
inspire change in their lives
Roles for branding
and communications To promote the OSC as a center for education,
research and knowledge
To demonstrate the clear connection between
sustainable and economic development,
specifically linking green building, the green
economy and jobs for Oregon

14. Regular
Visitors
Users
Align building and organisations’ aims Invite participation, share knowledge,
Remain involved and excited by OSC innovation inspire personal action

15. USERS AND
VISITORS
COMMUNITY
PARTNERS
EG. SOLARIZE EG. LOCAL FARMS
TENANTS
EG. PSU, PCC EG. UMPQUA EG. PDC
TRANS-
SEASONAL WORK WATER ENERGY WASTE FOOD
PORT
ETC
EVERGREEN OSC PERMANENT STORIES

16. Permanent Space

17. The Building
(construction, operation)
Water
Energy
(solar, geothermal)
Waste

18. As we show the building’s systems, its working and its health, let’s make any representation
Emotional Intuitive
(You feel the building’s health, before you have to think about it) (A child can tell what’s going on)
Embedded Responsive
(Part of the building’s walls, ceilings, floor) (Encouraging feedback, or a change in behavior)

20. All of us, then, have been born into a world full of abstract technologies
and systems. We are forced to adapt to them in order to survive.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and Berries, grassland, birds and clouds have long since ceased to be the
the rational mind is a faithful servant. things we need to read in order to survive.
We have created a society that honors Insofar as these elements still exist in our environment, they have taken
on a recreational role.
the servant and has forgotten the gift. Instead, we live in a world of screens.
-Einstein
-Koert Van Mensvoort, Our Environment as an Information Carrier

22. view3
50'
view1
33''
view4
50
'
view2
15'

24. Visual
Language
We will use the building’s raw
materials as a consistent design
element throughout the
building.
To show that the OSC was built
by the people and industries of
Oregon

25. During the launch period we will connect the materials to the industries and the people behind them

26. Strips of the different
materials will flow
continuously across the
Action Center surfaces, and
beyond: into the Lobby and
outside.
LEDs will line certain parts of
the structure.
A curved, organic, flowing
surface and overall shape.
With sharp transitions
between materials. Points of
intense light.
We will work with Oregon
based artists to create a
unique, inspirational space.

29. Ceiling: Solar
Pole: Waste
Wall: Water
Floor: Geothermal

30. Continuing the metaphor of the living
building, we want the LEDs to represent its
health.
When systems are working well, and there
is plenty of energy, there should be a
regular flow of lights. The lights breathe in
a calm fashion (like a sleeping Macbook).
Reduced energy production/
overconsumption can be indicated by more
rapid flashing (showing distress)
The number of lights in operation can
reflect the building’s available resources.

33. But looking like this...
The Building - operation
A 5ft high model, realistic, but colorful and
inviting. Inspired by plant and animal
nervous systems
Moving parts to show PV and blinds.
Light representing energy, water and waste.
Based on this...

34. Throughout the building, we will A single LED will help users understand
continue to signal the health of the energy and resource status.
building through a simplified identity
Breathing:
that refers to the Action Center materials Healthy.
Flashing:
Shortage.
Use sparingly.
On:
In use
The visual language will show the health of the building throughout

35. Firetables
LED firepits will offer places for people to
gather, socialise and learn more about
the OSC.

36. Firetables
Another way to communicate
information about the building, and to
encourage people to explore Portland,
and to make changes in their lives.
A place to capture and share feedback.

37. Seasonal stories

38. We want to tell each seasonal theme from different perspectives, showing how different
stakeholders are connected
WORK WATER ENERGY WASTE FOOD TRANS- ETC
PORT
personal/ education/ business osc oregon world
community research

39. WORK
How the green economy works for you
The OSC is built by the people and industry of Oregon.
We will highlight the companies and individuals responsible for the center, show the
jobs it created and offer ways for OSC visitors to be part of Oregon’s economy.
personal/ education/ business osc oregon world
community research

40. Building the OSC
Leading up to the opening
and for the first few months
of its operation we want to
tell the stories of the people
and industries connected to
the construction of the OSC.
Showing that many Oregon
industries are part of
sustainable solutions.
And that the OSC has
benefitted from and
supported local industry and
created jobs.

41. Profiles of the people and industries of Oregon involved in building the OSC.
Surrounded by figures related to total number of companies involved, jobs created, etc

43. We will use the profiles of the people and industries
involved in the OSC to start a broader conversation
about work.
We will invite Oregon companies to show how
they are part of the green economy. What if the
launch weekend was also a job fair, connecting
the companies of Oregon with the workers, and
helping them to discover new opportunities?
Visitors will be able to upload their own photos of people that they feel
have been positively affected by the OSC to a Facebook gallery. For
example, an Umpua bank employee can add her team’s photographs or a
PSU student can add his professor.
We will feature PSU, OSU, etc sustainability courses and talk about the kind
of employment opportunities they lead to.

44. ENERGY
How Oregon’s green energy is repowering the state
Represent the diversity of sustainable energy solutions across Oregon.
Show guests how they can repower their life with Oregon’s green energy.
Highlight the companies involved in the building of the OSC’s energy portfolio and the businesses that can
help bring clean energy to the people in the OSC’s community.
Show how people can make a change by making the tech innovation in the building’s energy systems
accessible to the visitor in a DIY format.
personal/ education/ business osc oregon world
community research

45. We want make the tech
innovation in the building’s
energy systems accessible to
the visitor in a DIY format,
to highlight the companies
involved in the building of
the OSC’s energy portfolio
and show the businesses
that can help bring clean
energy to the people in the
OSC’s community.
We also want to show the
variety of clean energy
solutions that are being
explored in Oregon

46. We will create a large map of Oregon on the
exhibition wall of the Action Centre, with key
energy locations highlighted.
Online/mobile, people can find out more about the
different projects highlighted on the map and add
their own energy saving projects to the Oregon
energy map.
Visitors will be able to link through to relevant
organizations to make a change in their life,
through going solar, having an energy audit,
getting a green loan.
Energy experts will be available at the fire tables to
talk through personal green energy options.

47. Our main partners will be Panasonic, with their focus on solar and energy saving appliances and
Umpqua, with their green street product which finances energy efficiency. The map will show
people in Portland and beyond how many people are making the switch to a more efficient
home, and we’ll link directly to Umpqua so that visitors are able to take action online.
In the event space, we’ll make sure that visitors are led to the Umpqua store for more
information on making energy changes in their homes, perhaps even using the Panasonic
products that they’ve learned about on the map.

48. People will be able to use the fire tables or their mobile
app to find out more about the specific examples of
innovative energy use on the map.
The community will also be able to add their own
houses or businesses to the map if they’ve made a
positive change: eg had an energy audit, solar panels
installed, geo-thermal put in or offset their power.
The concept is designed to show the diversity and
prevalence of clean energyin Oregon, to encourage
interaction and to get the community excited about
cleaning up their energy.