Design

YBA Architects and RKm spent several years designing both a master plan and individual buildings that would both honor the natural elements of the native area and respond to requests and insights from the community engagement efforts.

Design priorities included: connection to the Columbia River, enhanced view corridors, a unique urban environment with distinct character, and responsible preservation of the riparian area at the water’s edge.

Phase I features four buildings and a public splash pad / amphitheater.

Klipsan draws inspiration from the small building massing of waterfront villages and Swiss chalets. YBA was inspired to break up the heights by horizontally dividing materials along the building faces. Solid, lighter-colored base material contrasts with a darker upper finish to minimize the scale of the building.

The dense forest and towering trees of the Columbia River Gorge inspire Sitka. The trunk of the tree is demonstrated by the base of the building’s heavily textured brick, while the upper portion of the building features shingles textured and painted to reference a forest of Douglas Fir.

Broadrock takes inspiration from the basaltic flows and cliffs found in the neighboring Columbia River Gorge. The siding material is corrugated and mimics the texture of cliffs after years of wind and water erosion.

Cascara is inspired by glaciers that once dominated the area, and the landforms they affected. Textured white siding and vertical window design mimic the look of natural ice. Contrasting brick on the ground floor references the remaining glacial till sediment.

In addition to honoring the natural elements of the native area, the design team also wanted to honor the native settlers of the region. Representatives from the Grand Ronde joined in design meetings to share important stories and traditions, many of which have been infused into permanent design elements that can be found on the site.