Located in Portland, Oregon’s Pearl District, Vibrant! is a new affordable housing, high-rise development. Salazar Architect designed the building shell and interior common areas in collaboration with LRS Architects, which led the overall project management and design of the apartments.
Vibrant! includes 93 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, including 40 units that are set aside for families transitioning out of homelessness. The building’s exterior design forgoes the brown brick tradition of the district and instead opts for a combination of neutral and brightly colored metal panels.
See Also: MLK Plaza brings 167 units of affordable housing to the Bronx
Interior common areas were designed with a minimalist approach and simple materials including natural concrete floors and ceilings. The lobby’s flooring is stained in a blue hue that contrasts with the reclaimed oak wood walls that wrap around interconnecting management and social services offices, casual seating, mail boxes, and a bike room. The second floor features a playroom, a community room, a kitchen, and a computer room. Glazed garage doors lead to an outdoor playground. The building also includes a number of sustainable features such as a rooftop PV solar array, native plants, and a roof terrace.
Also on the build team: KPFF (structural engineer), Shapiro Didway (landscape architect), A3 Acoustics and 3J Consulting (civil engineer), Bremik Construction (general contractor).
Related Stories
| Apr 5, 2013
Bangkok gets a leaning tower, that may topple
A seven-story apartment tower under construction in Bangkok has started to tilt and is on the verge of toppling.
| Apr 3, 2013
5 award-winning modular buildings
The Modular Building Institute recently revealed the winners of its annual Awards of Distinction contest. There were 42 winners in all across six categories. Here are five projects that caught our eye.
| Mar 27, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: college labs, classrooms, residence halls, student unions
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
| Mar 15, 2013
7 most endangered buildings in Chicago
The Chicago Preservation Society released its annual list of the buildings at high risk for demolition.
| Mar 14, 2013
25 cities with the most Energy Star certified buildings
Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago top EPA's list of the U.S. cities with the greatest number of Energy Star certified buildings in 2012.
Building Enclosure Systems | Mar 13, 2013
5 novel architectural applications for metal mesh screen systems
From folding façades to colorful LED displays, these fantastical projects show off the architectural possibilities of wire mesh and perforated metal panel technology.
| Mar 6, 2013
Dual towers designed by SHoP create new affordable housing in NYC
With the construction of Hunters Point South, New York City will get its first large new housing development for middle-class families in more than 30 years. Related Companies is partnering with the nonprofit Phipps Houses in the project, designed by SHoP Architects with Ismael Leyva Architects.
| Mar 6, 2013
German demonstration building features algae-powered façade
Exterior of carbon-neutral demonstration building consists of hollow glass panels containing micro-algae "farms."