1100 SW 6th Ave.
Introduction
The Standard Plaza (or Standard Building) is a tall office building in downtown Portland, Oregon. On its roof sits a very special weather beacon — a set of lights that forecast the weather. Even though we now have weather apps, this colorful beacon still shines and is a piece of Portland history.
History
When the Standard Plaza opened in 1963 it was the largest office building in Oregon. The building was designed by a well-known architecture firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, in what is called the “international style.” Over the years, the building has been improved: in 2009, it earned a gold rating for being energy-efficient. There are also electric car charging stations in its parking garage.
The Weather Beacon
On top of the building is a 50-foot tall weather beacon, which makes the total height of the building about 275 feet. The beacon changes color to tell people about the forecast: Red lights mean the temperature is expected to go up by about 5 degrees or more. Green means the temperature will stay about the same (within 5 degrees). White means the temperature will drop by about 5 degrees or more. It also communicates precipitation: if the beacon blinks, that means rain (or some kind of precipitation) is expected. The lights are updated twice a day using weather data from the National Weather Service. Inside the building (in both the lobby and basement), there is a control panel that shows the same pattern as the lights on top. The idea for the beacon came in an earlier era (1950s-60s), when beacons were more common. They helped people plan their day by knowing the weather forecast.
The beacon is a piece of local history. Even though most people now check the weather on their phones, this beacon still operates. It also shows how architecture and design can be functional and artistic — giving information in a way that becomes part of the skyline.
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Discussion Questions:
Why do you think the Standard Building’s weather beacon is still maintained, even though weather apps are so common?
If you could add a modern twist to the beacon (for example, adding digital information, wind speed, or air quality), what would you design?
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State Education Standards:
Social Studies 3.11. Describe how individuals, groups, events, and developments have shaped the communities and regions. Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.12. Compare and contrast the history of the local community to other communities in the region. Historical Knowledge
Social Studies 3.17. Use a variety of historical sources (artifacts, pictures, documents) to identify factual evidence. Historical Thinking