1120 SW 5th Ave.
The Portland Building is a well-known government building located in downtown Portland, Oregon. It was completed in 1982 and is famous for its bold colors, decorative shapes, and unique design. The building was designed by architect Michael Graves.
Unlike many plain office buildings, the Portland Building was created to be artistic and expressive. It’s one of the first post-modern buildings in the United States and its design helped introduce postmodern architecture, a style that uses color and decoration to make buildings more interesting. Today, the Portland Building remains an important example of modern architecture in the city, and people either love it or dislike it. It’s the most controversial building in Portland.
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Discussion Questions:
Why do you think some people like bold building designs? Do you like this building or do you dislike it? Why?
How does architecture affect how people feel about a city?
Why might a city want an artistic government building?
What modern buildings stand out in your community?
Vocabulary
Architecture – The art and science of designing buildings.
Postmodern – A style that includes decoration, color, and creativity.
Architect – A person who designs buildings.
Landmark – A well-known or important place.
Government – The group of people who manage a city or country.
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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