Copper Panels

Rainscreen Enclosure

Vierendeel Truss Frame

Exterior Egress Stair

Curtain Wall Interstial Space

Large Tank Exhbit

Interior Screen

PEAC West ElevationScale: 1/8” = 1’-0”

Eastbank Esplanade under Marquam BridgeView from Water Ave overlook Tectonic Exploded Axonometric

Existing Waterfront Condition Existing Built Condition Existing Public Interaction

Willamette River Watershed Willamette Valley Oregon, USA Portland, OR Marquam Crescent

PEAC projectview from Hawthorne Bridge

Portland Ecological Aquatic Center

AbstractThe Portland Ecological Aquatic Center (PEAC) is a public oriented research facility for aquatic habitat in the Pacific Northwest. The project brings together Portland’s Eastbank with the Willamette River and public interation with aquatic research. PEAC is pecifically focused on the synthesis of research and habitat restoration along the rivers edge intertwined in public education and interaction. Providing points of respite along the esplanade, carving an eddy to bolster salmon habitat, and managing the dischare of water into the river, PEAC demonstrates how to implement a place that enhances the natural and built environment in urban areas. The site is located between natural (Willamette river), built (the I-5 expressway) and artificial environments (proposed water management marsh and slow current eddy). The building, read in series, is composed of related objects con-nected in a row; each taking on a different aspect of an ecological aquatic center.

Critical IssuesInstitution for interactive and all encompassing learning.Harmony between traditionally separate elements: Portland Eastbank/River and Public/Research.A unique building for Portland’s waterfront.Controlling and containing water runoff on the site to not add to the Willamette’s downtown flooding.Providing space for migrating salmon to develop in a slow current area.

Urban/Site contextThe Marquam Crescent (located on Portland’s east bank between the Hawthorne Bridge and OMSI) is the waterfront edge of the southeast industrial area. This industrial area creates a gap between central city/downtown and residential neighborhoods. The site bridges this gap but is currently under utilized, mostly vacant and surface parking. This project adjacent to OMSI and in conjunction with proposed boat house, library, and schools creates an interactive learning district with the new Innovation Quadrant. The creation of the PDC Innovation Quadrant , great access to the water, OMSI / IMAX, and new Portland Milwuakie Light Rail bridge are turning this area from an under used, abandoned, urban area into a key attraction in Portland.

Proposed Concepts [site and building]PEAC highlights the Willamette River in Portland; a perfect confluence of river, urban infrastructure, post-industrial area, artifi-cial shoreline, and pedestrian traffic. Mimicking the curving riverbank just as the city does, PEAC expresses the connection with the water in a project that proves a mutually beneficial environment between built and natural space. As part of Portland’s waterfront scene with; views of habitat: natural, restored, and artificial PEAC a prominent building and an ecological urban site with downtown as its backdrop.

Exhibitory and Participatory ExperimentationPEAC both highlights and ties together many pieces. Advocating a more critical approach to zoological experience by reveal-ing the whole process for complete understanding. Presenting a variety of components of aquatic study: from field observa-tion and laboratory research to experimentation and communicating findings.

Explanation of ProposalThe site is carved out to make spce for an eddy along the river. The protected shore and slow current area benfits migrating salmon. The built space here is weaved around and between the infrastrucure of the elevatated I-5 expressway. Access to PEAC is along the extension of both SE Clay St and SE Stephens St that become pedestrian paths ending in elevated platforms with views of downtown, the bridges, and new shoreline. The Eastbank Esplanade running through the site creates opportunities for traffic to stop and rest. A piece of the existing warehouse on site is converted into a picnic plaza with a cafe and water foun-tain for children to play in. Boardwalks branching off from the Esplanade take visitors through a remediation marsh and out to a platform on the peninsula that puts you on the water. The Marquam crescent is an example of how to merge the natural and built environments. From the parking lot storm water management to the Marquam Inlet, differing examples of recreated habitat, human access to the water, and wildlife only areas are expressed.PEAC is organized as a series of angular blocks (one for each major programmatic element) in sequence. To experience the collection as parts and a whole the entrance is located in the second block reached by walking underneath the first block and up an open-air stair that doubles as seating to watch the river. Numerous cut-outs in the floor and double height spaces allow for patrons to see activity on multiple levels. This diagonal visual connection is experienced immediately upon entry with the cafe balcony above and the sound of the life support systems from below. The blocks are in sequence based upon the level of openness and natural light required per the major program: Interpretive center, Event Lobby, Large Tank, Research labs, Be-havioral Enclosure, and Terrace. An interstital space highlights the separation of each block. Each successive space is reach by passing through one block into a narrow atria: bathed in natural light, providing a view of the river, and offering relief from the activity within each block.

The project is essentially six individual buildings adjacent to each other, strengthing the discrete identity of each block. Large Vierendeel trusses span the edges framing each block. This allows for an open uninterrupted space and circulation within the building. Transitioning from one block to the next patrons must pass through a screen similar to the exterior facade and cross a grated catwalk before passing through the next screen into the next block. This interstital space acts as a relief from the activity happening with each element of the program and helps to reorient them with the river and downtown. The deep beam sup-porting the northern blocks allows for differing experiences along the esplanade: shady under the Marquam Bridge, covered refuge under PEAC, and great views between PEAC and the river.

The PEAC’s facade enforces the concept of different elements in a larger whole. The envelope is layered with a typical rain-screen (color coded to each program block) behind perforated copper screens. The copper panels are arranged in four sizes with a six inch gap horizontally and flush vertically. Corresponding to the activity inside each block, the grade sloping to the water farther north, and the transparency of the program in each block the average panel size decreases, therefore, increas-ing the number of gaps and the amount of daylight that enters the building. Separated by glass curtain wall interstitial spaces each block is simultaneously distinct and read as part of the series.

The major environmental focus is water management. PEAC (both building and site) work as a filter for water before getting to the river. Ninety percent of freshwater aquatic activity happens along the waters edge, the shoreline is also the last and major place vegetation traps and absorbs polluted runoff. The eddy and increased shoreline not only benefits salmon but enhances the water quality. The peninsula also protects the bank from boat traffic giving vegetation a better place to thrive. The sur-rounding parking lots have bioswale medians but that is not enough in the rainy season. The marsh east of the building can absorb any excess runoff during high precipitation periods. Not only saving surface storm water from the Big Pipe but also runoff from the expressway. Excess water from these sources flows under the glass transitional spaces of the building through filters before being released into the Willamette.

PEAC builds upon existing attractions (OMSI, Rose Garden, Lloyd Center) near the eastbank esplanade.

Traffic flows with & crosses the river but the river is not the destination.

PEAC is sited along both the downtown river walk and public transit.

I - 5 MarquamBridgehead

EastbankEsplanade

BuildingRoo�ine

Upstream TidalE�ects

re�ection

re�ection

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PEAC Major Program Elements

1 Interpretive Center2 Event Space3 Pump Room4 Large Tank5 NW Exhibit6 Research Unit7 Laboratoy8 Shoreline Tank

PEAC Major Program Adjacency

1 Interpretive Center

Mimicking the river PEAC bends in �oor plan.

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2 Event Space / Pump Room

3 Large Tank Exhibit

4 Research Laboratories

5 Shoreline Tank

PORTLAND ECOLOGICAL AQUATIC CENTERP EA C

Jim LutzkeUniversity of Oregon | PortlandWaterfront Thesis 2012Tim Gordon | Gerry Gast | Teddy Huyck

PEAC Site PlanScale: 1” = 40’-0”

Longitudinal Section Cut

Tectonic Study Area

ROOM LEGEND 1. Marquam Bridge Overlook Plaza 2. Ticketing 3. Receiving 4. Employee Lounge 5. Pump Room 6. Mechanical 7. Electrical 8. Northwest Exhibit 9. Large Tank10. Life Support11. Storage12. Research Laboratory13. Ecology O�ce Siute14. Toilet15. Shoreline Tank Support16. Shoreline Construction Tank17. Experimentation Terrance

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PEAC First Floor PlanScale: 3/32” = 1’-0”

View from Water Ave.

ROOM LEGEND 1. Entry 2. Interpretive Center 3. Pump Room 4. Cafe 5. Large Tank 6. Research Laboratory 7. Shoreline Tank Support 8. Shoreline Construction Tank 9. Library10. Experimentation Terrace11. Viewing Deck12. Eastbank Esplanade

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Wall Detail at window sillScale: 3” = 1’-0”

Wall Detail at floorScale:3” = 1’-0”

PEAC Longitudinal SectionScale: 1/8” = 1’-0”

1/8” Copper Screen 2” Subframe

2” Subframe Girt1/2” Rainscreen Facade

1” Airspace 4” Rigid Insulation

1/2” Sheating 5” Metal Stud5/8” Wall Board

1/8” Copper Screen 2” Subframe

2” Subframe Girt1/2” Rainscreen Facade

1” Airspace 4” Rigid Insulation

1/2” Sheating 5” Metal Stud5/8” Wall Board

Event Lobby with upper tank as backdropView from Interpretive Center entrance

PEAC Second Floor PlanScale: 3/32” = 1’-0”

View from Large Tank looking at Life Support room

Longitudinal Section Cut

Tectonic Study Area

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ROOM LEGEND 1. Entry 2. Event Lobby 3. Toilet 4. Interpretive Center 5. Large Tank 6. Northwest Exhibit 7. Storage 8. Research Laboratory 9. Biology O�ce Suite10. Shoreline Tank Balcony11. Eddy Viewing Deck

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PEAC Third Floor PlanScale: 3/32” = 1’-0”

Sustainable Features Section Perspective

The marsh absorbs any excess runo� during high precipitation periods. Saving surface storm water from the Big Pipe and runo� from the I-5. Water is further �lter as is passes under the building before reaching the Willamette.

Photovoltaics

HighwayRun-o�

Storm Water Marsh

Willamette River

Esplanade

Longitudinal Section Cut

Tectonic Study Area

ROOM LEGEND 1. Interpretive Center 2. Cafe 3. Kitchen 4. Balcony 5. Large Tank 6. Large Tank Support 7. Classroom 8. Conference Room 9. Research Laboratory10. Administrative O�ce Suite11. Library12. Patio

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Shoreline Construction TankView from Second Floor