Architecture, Conceptual
Design for the Adaptive Reuse of a Historic Building
The Sinnott House Revived
The Sinnott House Revived was completed with guidance from Adjunct Instructor Henry Kunowski, who led the Intermediate Design Studio at the University of Oregon.
A relic restored.
For many years, the Sinnott House has stood vacant and vandalized on a somewhat dirty corner in Portland, Oregon’s Old Town. Occupied mostly by pigeons, even the sidewalk around it has been closed at times, due to the potential danger of elements of the historic façade falling on pedestrians. But, Old Town is on the mend, and this historic preservation project explores one way to restore and renovate the Sinnott House and adjacent Simon Façade that not only salvages the infrastructure, but also enlivens the neighborhood: as a mixed-use anchor property.
Preservation of the Past, Improvement of the Present
Respecting the historic nature of the site, the predominant scale and massing of the building are maintained, the pedestrian experience is improved, the street wall is strengthened, and awnings, canopies, and other external alterations are sensitive to the historic style of the building and the district.
Ground Level Plan
The desirable corner spaces of the building are reserved for high traffic uses that will support the community, such as a small grocery, or retail shops. The ground level of the hotel includes a sheltered courtyard, and restaurant and bar spaces.
Plan at street level.
The desirable corner spaces of the building are reserved for high traffic uses that will support the community, such as a small grocery, or retail shops. The ground level of the hotel includes a sheltered courtyard, and restaurant and bar spaces.
Historic restoration consideration.
As a renovation of a historic building in a district targeted for revitalization, certain design considerations had to be taken: respecting the scale and proportion of traditional building styles for horizontal additions, minimizing the visual impact of vertical additions, and subtly differentiating additions from the original building, all while maintaining compatibility and deference to the historic.
Historic Renovation & Preservation
As a renovation of a historic building in a district targeted for revitalization, certain design considerations had to be taken: respecting the scale and proportion of traditional building styles for horizontal additions, minimizing the visual impact of vertical additions, and subtly differentiating additions from the original building, all while maintaining compatibility and deference to the historic. Linework of the existing Sinnott House and Simon Façade were provided to the studio by Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects and incorporated and altered as required.
Central Lobby Courtyard
The main entrance to the hotel passes through the Simon Façade into the sheltered central lobby courtyard.
A courtyard for the central lobby.
The main entrance to the hotel passes through the Simon Façade into the central lobby courtyard. Historic and new construction are distinct, but careful spatial layering allows for a seamless bridging from one to the other. The covered open-air café behind the Simon Façade adjoins the courtyard and utilizes garden elements to soften the environment, and shape the space.
Bridging the Old and the New
The new addition and renovations are woven into the historic building carefully, both structurally and aesthetically, maintaining the integrity of the historic structure.
Bridging the old and the new.
The new addition is woven into the historic building carefully. Historic floor levels and access points are maintained, and new vertical circulation is placed at the hinge point of the old and new construction. To ensure compatibility, material considerations are also crucial. Materials were selected to be appropriate not only to the building, but also to the aesthetic of the historic district– in this case, brick, steel, and stone.
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