The Burnside Blog
Ziba Headquarters Breaks Ground Today
As I write (it’s 8:00 am), the first shovels of dirt are being unearthed on the site of Ziba Design’s forthcoming 70,000-square-foot headquarters near Union Station in the northern end of the Pearl District. Designed by Holst Architecture, the new two-story structure will house Ziba’s staff of 200 and growing, include ground floor retail space for design focused companies and an auditorium where Ziba plans to host lectures and other events that will be open to the public.
An iconic Ziba headquarters in Portland reflects the increasing visibility and influence of Portland’s thriving design and design-education world. The Pacific Northwest College of Art announced yesterday that it had obtained the historic 511 Building from the federal government and will relocate it campus (just a few blocks from Ziba) following a facelift slated to be the work of Portland’s most celebrated architecture firm, Allied Works. Concurrently in Old Town, the University of Oregon is about to move into its new Portland headquarters near the Burnside Bridge, where UO’s graduate school of architecture and its new industrial design department will call home.
For those not familiar with the Portland Company that’s called the Pearl District home since 1996, Ziba is a pioneering strategic design firm responsible for the zip drive, the ergonomic keyboard, and hundreds of other products. Read more about Ziba here.
By Mike Thelin on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 09:14AM PDT
AN: I understand that the Pearl has been home to a few galleries in its past, but not too many artists can afford the Pearl District or would choose the Pearl District these days due to rising costs for housing and gallery space. The scope of PNCA and Ziba is potentially global, and they’re not moving away anytime soon.
By Greg on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:13AM PDT
“An iconic Ziba headquarters”? Why do you assume that the teaming up of Holst and Ziba will produce an “iconic” headquarters? I hope it does, but from the photo, we’ve seen this design before. Its not exactly breaking new ground. Could you or maybe Randy tell us what about this new design makes it iconic?
By Stuart on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:23AM PDT
Greg, I too would like to hear what Randy or Mike has to say, but even more I’d like to hear what someone at Holst or Ziba has to say. First, however you should quantify your own oversimplified understatement. “We’ve seen this design before” is hardly architectural criticism. Please explain what you mean and please tell us where we’ve seen it. Why exactly is this building so important? And in your mind Greg…what constitutes a good building?
I personally don’t know much about architecture, but I do have two well travelled eyes that have never seen anything like this building before.
By Greg on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 10:59AM PDT
Stuart I’m not claiming its bad or good, I just want to know why the assumption of “iconic” building. Is it the names involved or the actual architecture. I’d like to here actual reasons from the architectural experts/critics at Portlandspaces.
By Mike Thelin on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 11:23AM PDT
Greg, the word “iconic” isn’t a value judgement. An icon is an object with meaning beyond its physical use. In this case, you have a prominent design firm that wanted its headquarters to be emblematic of what Ziba stands for: design. So, I assume that’s why Ziba tapped Holst, which is considered one of the most talented design firms in Portland. I’m personally a big fan of Holst buildings, and judging by the renderings I’ve seen, I’d say it looks promising.
Still, you don’t have to like every icon. The Paul Bunyan statue in Kenton is also iconic, and if given the chance, I’d love to saw it down.
By Mark on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 04:44PM PDT
I also hate that statue. Seattle has the Space Needle, St. Louis has the arch, Paris has the Eiffel Tower and Portland has Paul Bunyon. It’s reflective of our cultural aspirations. Chop the fucker down.
By eileen on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 05:04PM PDT
Mike,
Don’t hide behind such contrivances as “word definitions” and “reason.” Greg and Angry Neighbor have every right to carelessly interpret your words as they see fit and hold you accountable for their own dim panes.
Also, I no longer believe Angry Neighbor is your pseudonym for the purpose of stirring crap and upping readership. Every day brings new lessons.
By Monforts on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 12:37PM PDT
The design looks hot, and I’m looking forward to seeing the auditorium. It sounds like a great quasi-public amenity. There is such a great tradition of private auditoriums and ballrooms in PDX from the early 20th century- it’s nice to see ZIBA adding to the new tradition along with the Weiden+Kennedy lobby. Love those hidden voids all over town. It makes for a great tour of the city- the beautiful guts of PDX.
By Randall on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 10:48AM PDT
I don’t see what the big deal is from the renderings. I also like Holst buildings, but this one seems a little cold. I’ll reserve my judgement until it’s built.
By Thedude on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 08:05PM PDT
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/03/17/civil-court-for-madrid-from-zaha-hadid/ This is Iconic.
Portland needs to break out of its self contained 200 X 200 box.
By andy on Thursday, June 05, 2008 at 09:44AM PDT
“http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/03/17/civil-court-for-madrid-from-zaha-hadid/ This is Iconic.
Portland needs to break out of its self contained 200 X 200 box.”
Sure that’s iconic. Maybe of Zaha. Certainly not of Madrid.
By Scott on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 10:37AM PDT
Agreed…looks cold, sterile and dated…boring, when will Portland architecture get over the “we’re too cool to be bothered with being pretty” mentality?
just my 2 cents
By on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 12:34PM PDT
Stuck in retro.
By Angry Neighbor on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 09:02AM PDT
Mike. You obviously don’t do your homework. The Pearl District has been an epicenter of art for nearly two decades.