LMN Architects completes renovation of Oregon Convention Center, US

LMN Architects has announced the completion of the renovation project of Portland’s Oregon Convention Center (OCC) in the US with a $40m investment.

Said to be the largest convention centre in the Pacific Northwest, OCC features updates to several public spaces in the venue.

The project included the construction of a plaza to offer flexible outdoor space to conduct events, as well as use it as a community space.

LMN Design Partner Wendy Pautz said: “Our vision was to create an interior intervention focused around the Pacific Northwest with a robust nature influence evocative of Oregon’s lush greenery.”

The project saw the participation of numerous local Pacific Northwest firms. Colas Construction served as the general contractor, Merryman Barnes Architects as associate architect firm and Mayer/Reed as landscape architectural firm and environmental graphics designer.

Magnusson Klemencic Associates served as the structural engineer and KPFF as the civil engineering firm.

OCC can hold more than 600,000 guests a year and over 500 events.

OCC executive director Craig Stroud said: “OCC is Oregon’s premier convention centre, and so we made sure to keep our local community and setting top-of-mind throughout the planning and implementation process of this project. Subsequently, we concentrated on aspects that are important and unique to Oregon.

“I think the results of this focus are evident, both in the impact and originality of the Pacific Northwest-inspired design elements, but also in the level of care that was taken to improve the accessibility, sustainability and flexibility aspects and capabilities we offer our guests, building-wide.”