
Protecting the Symbol of the City: Preserving Portlandia
Standing nearly 40 feet tall, Portlandia is a symbol of the strength and vitality of the city of Portland, Oregon. But behind that strength is something much more delicate: thin sheets of hammered copper. While the Portland Building has proven to be a controversial structure in the decades since it was built, Portlandia has become a beloved icon for the city. When we started our reconstruction of the Portland Building, we were faced with the question: how do we preserve Portlandia?
Portlandia’s construction created a unique set of challenges for the design team. As a raised copper sculpture, each inch of the metal sheets used were hammered dozens of times until incredibly thin. These sheets are riveted together and supported internally by a wooden frame.
“In actuality, she’s very fragile,” said Principal and architect Erica Ceder, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA.
This means that any plans to move her from her platform, three stories above the ground, had the potential to destabilize the sculpture and cause irreversible damage. A strategy was developed to protect Portlandia where she stands: protective scaffolding was erected. Portlandia was removed from the public eye, and danger, for over a year. In 2019, on the project’s completion, the scaffolding was removed to reveal Portlandia, not only unscathed, but revitalized by conservators.