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Architect builds on Hollywood's charater |
The Oregonian, December 18, 2008 by Fred Leeson .pdf of the original article John Perkins didn't know anyone in the neighborhood when he opened his solo architecture office in the Hollywood District 10 years ago. So he went to meetings of the Hollywood Boosters, the lions and Central Neighbors Northeast. "Hl," he'd say at the introductions. ''I'm your Hollywood architect." Perkins quickly established himself as a volunteer willing to work on a variety of boosterish neighborhood projects. Now he's also leaving a legacy of some quirky, eye-catching buildings that will become informal landmarks of Hollywood and nearby business districts long after his career ends. Look for the rooflines that fly off at odd angles. See the industrial-like steel balconies jutting here and there. Notice the mix of flat and corrugated metal panels that join with more traditional masonry and stucco exterior finishes. "When appropriate, I don't think buildings need to be boring," Perkins says. "I can allow myself to be lrrational, and then bring it back to the rational and make sense." Though he fell in love with geometry as a Grant High School student years ago, the various angles on buildings such as the mixed-use condo at 40th and Northeast Tillamook and the BroadwayVeterinary Clinic, at 2315 N.E. Broadway, have a purpose. Mostly, they catch sun light at times it is most needed during the year and block it when it creates too much glare or heat. "It is more considered than people might think," Perkins says. "It's not zinginess just to be zingy. To me, it's responding to a particular design problem. I try not to put together atheoretical style and apply it to a building. I try to let the building express what it needs to be." Aftersome decades of decline, the Hollywood District is resurrecting itself as a commercial center with offices, retail, restaurants and entertairnnent. But none of its other new buildings are as radical in appearance as Perkins'. "They are fun to look at ," says Jeffrey Baird, president of the Hollywood Boosters. "His architecture is interesting and unique. Despite their unusual angles, Perkins' buildings seem not to overwhelm their older neighbors. Around the neighborhood, "I've never heard a single complaint." Baird says. In the condos at 40th, Perkins put the living rooms on the top floor and the bedrooms below to take advantage of views. He said it made sense to reverse the usual interior flow after the developer agreed on an elevator. At BroadwayVeterinary Clinic, a large f1oating "visor" deflects natural light through the glass ceiling of the clinic's operating room, which otherwise would have none. He also used angular rooflines to bring natural light into separate lobbies for dogs and cats. In other Hollywood-area projects, Perkins collaborated with architect Ralph Tahran on a recently completed mixed-use condo project at N.E. 39th and Hancock and revamped an office building at N.E. 40th and Tillamook. All these buildings include exterior metal panels. "It seems to be a good fit for my clients," Perkins says. "Metal is very durable, reasonably inexpensive and low-maintenance. It blends wonderfully well." Though Perkins' practice is not limited to Hollywood, he welcomes opportunities to work in the district. "It's a great place to practice archirecture," he says, "There's a long history and it has a positive future. It's a little downtown. It's not just a single commercial street. It has width and depth. It has history and architectural styles." |