the PRA has a new studio

For the last few years I've been volunteering at the Portland Radio Authority and finally, after months of planning and trying to move on zero budget, we finally have a new location that will go live in a few days once our internet is turned on. Its located at 833 SE Main in Portland Oregon.

One of the main things that we decided that we needed for the new studio was a separate sound-proof air studio and lobby. Plus we needed it to be fully accessible to people in wheel chairs, and ideally accessible and open to the public. Our previous space in a 6th floor walk up had none of those amenities, but this one, a small storefront studio fits our needs perfectly. I did the architectural work, and was one fourth of our little construction crew. I'll have more photos later once its 100% done, but below are some progress shots of the construction.

The existing space from the sidewalk with sound proofing and window piled up inside.

The existing space from the inside with pile of foam sound proofing.

Myself and Ed putting up sound proof foam in between the existing wall and the new framed wall of the air studio.

Framed air studio walls with insulation in place.

The new wall separating the air studio from the lobby midway through installation of sheetrock.

Me painting the new lobby wall.

From the outside during the move-in.

Ecoroof grant

Just a little update. About a week ago, we applied for an ecoroof grant for about $2000 through the city of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services for the ecoroofs on the Harpoon House. We've been told that they will be in contact with us in a few days to discuss whether or not we'll be in the running for some money.

Fashion Week

Even though its not quite done yet, this week SMF on the corner of NW 14th and Overton is home to Portland's Fashion Week.  I dropped by during the opening reception and got my first chance to wander around the space.  I was a bit limited to the areas that didn't require tickets, so I may stop by during the day tomorrow to see if I can get up into the mezzanine and the runway area, but here are a couple of shots of the outside, and one of the first floor setup.

Glass!

Just a little update with SMF, with only a week and a half to go before fashion week, glass is on site and beginning to be installed.

SMF, PTG, and SAH updates

SMF:

Footings have been poured, the mezzanine is in, as are the utility rooms on the east side.  The current timeline is for this to be completed by October in time for fashion week.

PTG:

The future North American headquarters of Icebreaker clothing is quite well underway.  All storefront windows are in.  Stairs need to be built and awnings and signage need to be installed, but thats about it for the shell.  They'll build out their own interiors.

And SAH:

It has passed the comment and appeal periods with design review, so now its on to construction documents to get it ready for permit.  See its section for images of the model.

Projects

This blog will host future updates to projects, hopefully as soon as they happen. There are currently three main ones that take up my time...

First is the house, which is pretty all consuming, mostly because of wrangling with various loan issues. The design is fairly set, mostly tweaking at this point. Although we have not talked to any contractors, so once we get bids, things may be scaled down appropriately.

SAH, which I'm doing for Fosler Portland Architecture is working through design review at the moment to likely approval.  All relevant city officials seem pleased with it, the only sticking point is one angry neighbor.

And then there's the new studio for the Portland Radio Authority which is progressing purely on faith at the moment. Hopefully it'll all happen, right now is the task of finding a licensed electrician in the hopes that we can actually afford the move.