Ecotrust
Holst restored a historic, century-old warehouse to create Ecotrust, a center that encourages the exchange of ecologically and socially responsible goods and services.
Project Details
Location
Portland, OR
Client
Ecotrust
Year Completed
2001
Project Size
40,000 sq. ft.
Certification
LEED Gold
Sustainability
Ecotrust was the first historic redevelopment in the U.S. to receive a gold-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award from the U.S. Green Building Council, and it was the first LEED Gold building in the Pacific Northwest, heralding the green building movement in the region.
Land Recognition
We have a responsibility to not only acknowledge but also elevate Native communities and their needs. This project sits in the area currently known as Portland, which encompasses the traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River.
Educating ourselves is an important action. We encourage you to explore the stories of these communities through Native-led resources like David G. Lewis, PhD’s The Quartux Journal and Leading with Tradition.
Awards
- 2002 Oregon Governor’s Livability Award, Honorable Mention
- 2002 City of Portland BEST Award, Waste Reduction
An Embodiment of Resilient Design
Ecotrust, officially the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, is an open, light-filled space for progressive businesses and nonprofit organizations that promotes interaction and, at some points, even eliminates barriers between tenants. Ecotrust has gained recognition from both civic leaders and the media as an important contribution to the city’s landscape. Former Mayor Vera Katz has heralded the building as “embodying the spirit, character, and values of Portland.”
Light Filled Lobby
Interior spaces emphasize natural light and ambient air.
External Bracing
Seismic improvements were externalized to retain the building’s interior character.
The renovation of the warehouse, once a United States Steel depot, is considered a prominent example of a national trend toward imaginative workplace architecture, as well as toward more environmentally sound buildings.— Linda Baker, New York Times
