Below is an excerpt from a recent email newsletter sent out by the Portland Development Commission that showcases our new office and highlights several of the great new features of the space.  Enjoy!

Oh planning+design

In balance with nature, Oh Planning+Design created its own earth-friendly workspace

before                                                                                   after

Founded by architect Deb France, Oh Planning+Design provides a full range of planning and architectural design services with special emphasis on sustainability: the “Oh” of the company title represents both optimism and health.

The carpet tile flooring, by Interface Flooring, is a non-petroleum, recycled-content product. Interface is a leader in achieving high standards for reducing waste and energy use in the manufacturing and removal of flooring at the end of its useful life.

The firm pays special attention to the selection of materials with low environmental impact, consistent with its mission to reduce the impact of the built environment on the planet so that humanity can live in balance with nature. The firm’s clients are academic institutions, public, healthcare, hospitality and corporate offices; recent major projects include Peace Health, a hospital in Eugene applying for LEED Gold, and an Energy Center at Oregon State University, applying for LEED Platinum.

The common kitchen area has a bar-height group table made from a recycled bowling alley lane from Sunset Lanes in Bellingham, discovered at the Eco-House on NE Interstate and built to be used as a table.

In November 2008, Oh moved from southwest Portland to Old Town, nearly doubling their office space to 7000 square feet in the Fleischner Mayer Building at NW 1st and Couch in the Downtown Waterfront Urban Renewal Area.

A cozy touch: the fuel efficient ethanol ventless EcoSmart fireplace from Bravado Home in NW Portland.

PDC provided financial assistance for green tenant improvements in the new location, using the Quality Jobs Program and Economic Opportunity Fund, a package of programs that reward high-paying jobs and investment in urban renewal areas. The improvements, designed to meet LEED Silver certification, emphasized creative, earth-friendly solutions provided by local trades and suppliers for minimum environmental impact.

A visual anchor for the space is local artist Chris Haberman’s colorful mural in the entry, the story of Oh’s relocation and commitment to Portland told through layers of bright colors, words and faces.

Daylighting, open spaces, recycled and non-toxic materials and energy efficient lighting are key components of the remodeled space. “Oh designs spaces where people want to be,” says France. Clearly, the company’s own workplace fits that description.

The exposed wood was painted a light reflective color, using Miller Green Seal paint, to enhance the daylighting effect. Dimming controls provide customized response to available daylight, and private meeting/supply rooms have occupancy sensors.  The lighting design was modeled to conserve 78% of the energy, and both the Business Energy Tax Credit program and Energy Trust of Oregon supported Oh’s design strategy. Signs and banners are made from a recycled screen fabric and printed at NW Printing Solutions.

Find out more about Oh at www.ohpd.net.

Please contact Terri Morgan at PDC, 503-823-3442 or morgant@pdc.us for information about PDC business finance programs and resources.