Metaphor

The South Waterfront district was planned to be an example of the future of the city of  Portland. The master plan and building code of the area was set to very high design and performance standards in order to maintain a successfully sustainable built environment with giving careful consideration to the existing natural setting. With my metaphor model, I intended to present my understanding of the natural and built components of the area. The model includes land and the river as the most essential natural components, needless to say that they are the essential habitat for many natural organisms. The model also acknowledges the the complex storm water management systems that occur underground and collect storm-water form various places and reuse it for irrigation. In addition, the metaphorical model includes nibs on its surface, which represent the built density on the land surface, noticing an rectangular clear space that represents the park. Moreover, another special element of the South Waterfront area is the OHSU underground parking that lies right under the park, and it is shown in the model as a hollow rectangle that spans through the whole model. The last component of the model is the base structure, which represents the historical industrial roots of the district that should influence the architectural and urban development of the area.

Even though the South Waterfront development was designed to meet high sustainable standards, it is almost apparent that it is not yet an appealing place for many social groups, not including the rich retiree group. The reason, as some participating architects have said, is that rent rates are very high. If that is a true case, I do not think that a new maker space building should accommodate the lack of affordable housing in the area but rather be an attractive place for all social groups to participate on a daily basis. I believe that such an activity would ensure a very healthy social environment and make the South Waterfront more lively, which would also enrich the economic health of the development. A site such as “block 6” would be the perfect place for the new maker space center to be built as it  has an almost direct access to the pedestrian bridge that connects the South Waterfront to the industrial East side. I also believe that building  a maker space center in the SWF development is a very meaningful idea as it acknowledges the industrial historical roots of it and the history of the Zidell company.

I am proposing a Craft Development Center, a place where individuals or people with small businesses that involve craft can rent a working space and get one-on-one supervising from professionals with full access to equipment and classes. The concept could grow to include investment and marketing support for the product that have potential. An example user could be a person who just established a small company that makes and sells products made of wood, leather, stone… etc. Either they need help making their first product, or that they already  have a product that need development, a person with expertise in the material/industry will arrange a fixed schedule with the client until the best results are achieved. After that, the client could continue to renting their space for further development or they could stop their subscription and work independently.

This project would also encourage people who are unemployed, however, very passionate about crafting and have enough experience to be active in the society and make money at the same time. An example of a supervisor is a craftsman who is seeking a job that does not require an educational background, or even a single mother who wants to work part-time and practice a craft that she likes. Therefore, such a project can be highly beneficial to society in many ways and for all social groups.

The concept and program are for further refinement.