Located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Southeast Portland, this innovative residential complex is designed to promote the well-being of its residents while restoring lost natural connections to the Willamette River. The 166-unit, five-story building features a series of outdoor courtyards that invite fresh air, natural light, and greenery into each unit, ensuring residents are able to enjoy views and connections to nature. These courtyards serve as “front yards,” complete with comfortable seating, planters, and vine-covered pathways, which extend outward to become terraces with unique façade elements.

The shared amenities within the building enhance community living, and include a ground floor lounge, coworking space, fitness center, sauna, and rooftop commons. The apartments are a mix of micro studio, studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans. The interiors are simple and bright, designed with calming colors and natural textures, providing a serene contrast to the warm wood and lush greenery found in the courtyards. Each residential unit is designed to maximize natural light and fresh air, featuring windows that open into the internal courtyards as well as those overlooking the neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of Stephen A. Miller

The 127,500-square-foot building’s layout encourages social interaction, with exterior walkways and stairs line the open-air courtyards to offer ample opportunities for residents to engage with one another. The open-air courtyards are wrapped in Western red cedar and filled with plants, enhancing visual warmth on cloudy days and providing a tactile experience for those passing through. The extensive use of wood fosters a calming atmosphere and simplifies the overall design, minimizing sensory distractions. Vine-covered trellises add visual interest and shade along common paths, enriching the outdoor experience.

Courtyards extend outward through the building's perimeter, creating open terraces on every floor, further enhancing opportunities for direct connections to the neighborhood and promoting health and wellness through access to abundant fresh air, views, and vibrant plant life. The rooftop commons provides residents with opportunities to bask in sunlight while enjoying impressive views of regional landmarks and natural features. Mechanized parking stackers optimize parking efficiency, freeing up space for more residential units, making this project a more affordable option in close-in neighborhoods.

Photo courtesy of Stephen A. Miller