LOCATION
Portland, OR

STATUS
Completed 2020

SQUARE FOOTAGE
44,000

CONSTRUCTION TYPE
Type VA/IA

DESIGN TEAM
Daniel Kaven, Partner-in-Charge
Trevor William Lewis, Partner-in-Charge
Mike Perso, Director of Architecture
Max Taschek, Job Captain
Richard Colwell, Architect
Joel Dickson, Project Designer

CONSULTANT TEAM
GC: VWR Development

CATEGORIES
Multifamily, Mixed-Use

RECOGNITION
2020 DJC TopProject Award Finalist

PUBLICATION
Portland Tribune

 

PARALLAX
Portland, Oregon

Situated at the corner of North Williams Avenue and Shaver Street, Parallax is a five-story mixed-use development, including 66 market-rate apartments over premium retail space fronting the thriving Williams Corridor. The opportunity: elevate a common Portland multi-family archetype, the 4/5 over 1, while simultaneously respecting the history of the site.

The base consists of glazed aluminum storefront that engages the Shaver and Williams frontages at the public street level. A glass, steel and metal canopy serves to shelter the sidewalk and simultaneously strikes a datum at the building’s transition from glass public base to a dynamically designed upper facade.

The upper facade at the apartment units uses brick masonry veneer, a historically relevant material re-imagined in modern form. The large, staggered windows at residences allude to their more private program and appear as punched openings despite being floor-to-ceiling. Additionally, the staggered windows at each floor lend the elevation a dynamic movement, with metal panels angled and oriented in opposing directions. The panels together read as a gradient color change from different perspectives. In effect, the building reads differently driving down Williams versus walking the opposite direction. This parallax reinforces both the building’s and the neighborhood’s dynamism.

The roof terrace on the top floor of the southeast corner begins to break down the building’s mass and scale, negotiating a transition to its residential neighbors. At the same time, the terrace commands spectacular views of Mt. Hood, while the large west-facing windows capture views of downtown Portland and the West Hills. New murals by renowned Portland artist Tom Cramer adorn both the south exterior facade and the interior of the lobby; these pay homage to The Machine, Cramer's iconic mural on the exterior of the warehouse previously occupying the site. Parallax seeks to elevate the streetscape along North Williams while capturing the energy and vitality of a growing neighborhood.

 
 
 
Multifamily project with blue steel panels designed by William Kaven Architecture in Portland, Oregon.
Corner angle of multifamily building with parked cars and biker — William Kaven Architecture
Multifamily building with blue steel panels at intersection with biker and cyclist — William Kaven Architecture
“In addition to the facade installation and Tom Cramer murals, a series of canvases from Kaven’s ongoing multimedia project Architecture of Normal adorn the lobby, hallways and amenity space of Parallax. In vivid colors, these pieces explore the history and future of the American West in relation to advancements in transportation.”
— Visual Atelier 8
Multifamily building with blue panels and colorful mural by Tom Cramer with cyclist in foreground — William Kaven Architecture
Multifamily building with dark brick facade, blue steel panels at windows, and colorful mural — William Kaven Architecture
Lobby of apartment building in Portland, Oregon, with sectional sofa and mural — William Kaven Architecture
Amenity space of apartment building leading to rooftop terrace — William Kaven Architecture
Rooftop terrace of apartment building with grill and bench seating — William Kaven Architecture
Apartment building with dark brick, blue steel panels, and storefronts at first level — William Kaven Architecture
Detail of dark brick and blue steel panels of multifamily building — William Kaven Architecture
Drone view of apartment building in Portland, Oregon — William Kaven Architecture
Drone view of street with commercial building and multifamily building, both designed by William Kaven Architecture
Aerial drone view of multifamily building in Portland, Oregon, with dark brick and blue steel panels — William Kaven Architecture
Angled view of Portland, Oregon's Parallax aparatments, designed by William Kaven Architecture
Sketch of horizontal hourglass shape over gradated blue background by Daniel Kaven — William Kaven Architecture
Detail of multifamily building with dark brick, blue steel panels, and planter in foreground — William Kaven Architecture
View from below of apartment building with mural, dark brick, and blue steel panels — William Kaven Architecture
View od sun catching blue steel panels on facade of apartment building — William Kaven Architecture
 
 
Rendering of abandoned warehouse with glowing light by William Kaven Architecture
Elevation for William / Kaven Architecture’s Parallax project.
 
 

SITE

Located on the corner of North Williams and Shaver Avenue in the Boise neighborhood of NE Portland, the project site lies in the very heart of the North Williams District. The property was formerly home to a steel warehouse.

North Williams is one of Portland’s fastest growing districts. With an alluring combination of modern construction and old neighborhood charm, this bustling area is filled with local retail shops and popular restaurants. North Williams is also Portland’s premier bike corridor, with over 3,000 commuters cycling the street daily.