Mississippi Building
Location:
Portland, Oregon
Type:
Retail / Mixed-Use
Size:
9,550 sf
Owner:
Ben Waechter
Contractor:
Waechter Architecture
Photographer:
Lara Swimmer
Status:
Completed Spring 2022
Awards:
︎︎︎ 2023 Wood Works Award, Commercial / Mid-Rise
︎︎︎ 2023 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design, Commercial Mixed-Use Category
︎︎︎ 2022 Gray Awards, Design for Good, Winner
︎︎︎ 2022 AIA Northwest & Pacific Region; Honor Award
︎︎︎ 2022 AIA Oregon Awards; Citation Award
Press:
︎︎︎ 2023 Metropolis
︎︎︎ 2022 Daily Journal of Commerce
︎︎︎ 2022 Business Tribune
Portland, Oregon
Type:
Retail / Mixed-Use
Size:
9,550 sf
Owner:
Ben Waechter
Contractor:
Waechter Architecture
Photographer:
Lara Swimmer
Status:
Completed Spring 2022
Awards:
︎︎︎ 2023 Wood Works Award, Commercial / Mid-Rise
︎︎︎ 2023 Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design, Commercial Mixed-Use Category
︎︎︎ 2022 Gray Awards, Design for Good, Winner
︎︎︎ 2022 AIA Northwest & Pacific Region; Honor Award
︎︎︎ 2022 AIA Oregon Awards; Citation Award
Press:
︎︎︎ 2023 Metropolis
︎︎︎ 2022 Daily Journal of Commerce
︎︎︎ 2022 Business Tribune
The Mississippi Building is a mixed-use, mass timber building located on a prominent commercial avenue in Portland, Oregon. Located on an infill site among buildings of varied character and construction, the building is a prototype that balances individuality and community, flexibility, and permanence. Mississippi was designed and developed by Waechter Architecture as a proving ground for sustainable building systems and construction technologies. Just as important, and equally, as a forum for new creative conversations.
Mississippi is the first commercial project in Oregon to use mass timber construction for all components of the building’s structure. Other than a ‘rain jacket’ of weathering steel on the exterior and radiant concrete flooring, all surfaces within the building expose wood without the need for additional finishes or fireproofing. This approach achieves an elemental simplicity that is rare in traditional frame and even typical hybrid CLT projects that require secondary assemblies like gypsum interiors. Instead, this building creates spaces with uncommon warmth and durability.
With the principles of economy, constructability, and agility serving as key drivers, the organization of Mississippi creates distinct zones for programs and services. The building is comprised of six equal rooms, stacked in three tiers on each side of a shared courtyard. These clear span volumes are proportioned to accommodate a range of uses and may be outfitted for autonomous use, or as an ensemble with other units. Operable windows throughout the building allow for efficient cross ventilation and generous daylight. A compact service and circulation bar connects these two wings along the northern edge, housing bathrooms, stairs, and elevators; acting as a spring point for future kitchen and plumbing tie-ins for the main spaces.
At the heart of Mississippi, an open-air courtyard acts as a semi-private civic space offering a retreat from the busy street, and a venue for events, presentations, and informal gatherings.
Every decision, from the building’s fundamental organization to the integration of healthy materials to efficient building systems such as all-electric, refrigerant-free, hydronic heating and cooling systems, embodies the principles of resilience and enduring design. This projects ultimate goal is to create a future-proof building that possesses a strong sense of identity, grace, and permanence.
Mississippi is the first commercial project in Oregon to use mass timber construction for all components of the building’s structure. Other than a ‘rain jacket’ of weathering steel on the exterior and radiant concrete flooring, all surfaces within the building expose wood without the need for additional finishes or fireproofing. This approach achieves an elemental simplicity that is rare in traditional frame and even typical hybrid CLT projects that require secondary assemblies like gypsum interiors. Instead, this building creates spaces with uncommon warmth and durability.
With the principles of economy, constructability, and agility serving as key drivers, the organization of Mississippi creates distinct zones for programs and services. The building is comprised of six equal rooms, stacked in three tiers on each side of a shared courtyard. These clear span volumes are proportioned to accommodate a range of uses and may be outfitted for autonomous use, or as an ensemble with other units. Operable windows throughout the building allow for efficient cross ventilation and generous daylight. A compact service and circulation bar connects these two wings along the northern edge, housing bathrooms, stairs, and elevators; acting as a spring point for future kitchen and plumbing tie-ins for the main spaces.
At the heart of Mississippi, an open-air courtyard acts as a semi-private civic space offering a retreat from the busy street, and a venue for events, presentations, and informal gatherings.
Every decision, from the building’s fundamental organization to the integration of healthy materials to efficient building systems such as all-electric, refrigerant-free, hydronic heating and cooling systems, embodies the principles of resilience and enduring design. This projects ultimate goal is to create a future-proof building that possesses a strong sense of identity, grace, and permanence.
At the heart of Mississippi, an open-air courtyard creates a semi-private civic space that transitions from the busy street; a venue for events, presentations, and informal gatherings.
