|
Portland, Oregon
Allied Works Architecture, Inc.
Photography © Sally Schoolmaster
The engine of creativity percolates
at Wieden + Kennedy
|
"A
great building not only changes your environment,
it changes your outlook, your fortunes, your sense
of self and community. This is one great building."
— Dan Wieden, President/CEO
"To
see the imagery and quality and character of architecture
adopted by an ad agency is actually really refreshing."
—Charles B. Rose,
AIA
Architect
Allied Works Architecture, Inc.
Client
Wieden + Kennedy
Key
Players
Click here to find a complete listing of the people
and products involved in the completion of
this project and an additional photograph.
|
|
The new global headquarters of this ad
agency needed to effect a change—in the mind-set of both
its employees and its customers. In its internal organization,
it needed to emphasize teamwork and neighborliness, a goal
that was accomplished by creating a transparent environment
that minimizes staff hierarchy. Its position as a business
that influences culture also needed to be strengthened. This
was achieved by incorporating spaces for the creative arts.
Designed with these aims in mind, the building speaks strongly
of new values.
The restored 1914 warehouse in Portland's
Pearl District had to accommodate open and creative workspace
for 500 employees. The heavy timber building required substantial
renovation, repair, and seismic upgrade. The architectural
focus became a centralized gathering space, where the entire
agency would come together as one with the community. Advanced
lighting and audio-visual systems provide an infrastructure
that allows artists, and the agency and its clients, to stage
all manner of gatherings. Other goals included energy efficiency,
resource conservation, and occupant-friendly systems that
contribute to an environmental ethic.
The building is a remarkable success,
measured by employee satisfaction and the agency's favorable
positioning as a creatively led company. Says juror Susan
Cantrell, "The building is infused with fresh visions
by artists. It has an amphitheater, which it fills up with
artists and writers and dancers and performance artists to
help inspire the creative people who work there."
For more on this project please see the
October 2001 issue of Architectural Record.
The Winners: Chesapeake
Bay | Corning
Museum | Dulwich
Galllery | Kuhonji
Temple Gate | LVMH
Tower | Pedestrian
Bridge | Phillips
Plastics | Saitama
Arena | SAP Headquarters
| Chiller Plant
| Wieden + Kennedy
Headquarters
The Finalists:
Allegheny
Jail | Hansen
Construction | Helmut
Lang Perfumerie | Herman
Miller Showroom | Lincoln
St. Garage | TBWA/Chiat/Day
| U.S. Courthouse
| Westpac Stadium
|
print
this page
e-mail
this page
