Projects   About
LAMB

Portland State
University
School of
Art & Design timber home for art,
art history, graphic design
and all the beautiful misfits
makers, creators, thinkers


Illustration showing the courtyard facing the Park Blocks PSU Farmers Market. 
Illustration of a typical teaching studio with 40 foot long glue-laminated beams and 12 foot tall windows for great natural light. The majority of the windows face north for the best daylight without direct sun.  Image credit: Michael Grosse, Lever Architecture.
Artists have a history of occupying spaces in old industrial buildings because they are (or were) cheap, but also because of the beautiful natural light provided by tall windows that go all the way to the ceiling. This idea played a big role in the development of the typical teaching studios for PSU. Image credit: Asa Albanese
The temporary construction crane sits at the center of the future courtyard space. Stairways are framed in steel with the remainder of the building in timber columns, beams and floor panels.
The approach from the PSU Famers Market with the PSU Architecture building visible on the left.
The mass timber structure will be completely visible in the finished spaces. The column to beam connections are concealed within the wood to provide required fire protection and a clutter-free finish.
This spot will evntually be occupied by the main gallery space with 17+ foot ceilings. The spaces beyond will house active teaching studios for Art Social Practice and Graphic Design.





A new home that brings together Art Practice, Art History, and Graphic Design departments under one roof on Portland's historic Park Blocks. The four-story building is primarily teaching studios with specialty production labs for various design and art-making endeavors. Common areas throughout provide space for students to hang out, rest, or work. An exterior courtyard offers secure outdoor working and gathering space with the option to open up to the PSU Farmers Market site for public events.
       In architecture circles, there's a sentiment that goes something like "making buildings takes time and is hard, so you better love the process." For me, this project was all about having a great time working with the amazing group of folks running the school, as well as the student volunteer group and individual faculty members who shared their time and expertise. With my background in art and graphic design, this project felt personal.            
        One of the spaces I'm most proud of is the new gallery on the ground floor. Student-run and school-run galleries are situated on the most urban street of the site and have a dedicated entrance for community access. The largest space is based on a "three-wall" concept where three permanent walls form an immersive U-shaped room. The walking paths and room layout relate to both the classic museum "enfilade" and contemporary commercial street galleries that need to create an immersive experience while also maintaining large areas of storefront glass to connect to the city. All under construction now and opening in 2026.
Details:
Under Construction
Mass timber structure
100,000 sf
Four stories


Credits:
Work performed on behalf of Lever Architecture while under employment. Photography Michael Gastineau and LAMB, or as noted
Next Project
Reach Out
nathan@
lambprojects.com
206 295-8671
Portland, Oregon
Licenses:
Oregon ARI-15588
Washington 12169
Lamb Studio, LLC
EIN. 012345

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