The Oregon Convention Center (OCC), owned and operated by Metro, serves as a catalyst for Oregon’s economy. In addition to the thousands of jobs supported by the facility, consumer spending totals more than $500 million each year as a result of the convention center’s business.

Providing safe, abundant parking for its patrons, the new 175,000 square foot parking garage includes 447 vehicle spaces and 130 bicycle spaces for Metro users, visitors to the retail spaces, and guests of the new Hyatt Regency hotel. 

Automobile parking in Portland comes at a premium and no venue can be considered successful without it. However, that doesn't mean these necessary structures can't provide aesthetic value to the landscape. From any distance, the facade of the parking structure conjures images of a pleasant day of sailing on a sunny afternoon, or a competitive 36-vessel sailing regatta on a windy, cloudy day. 

This “Sailing Façade” consists of thirty-six, 48-foot-tall sail structures that are 8' wide. Each one weighs 3,500 pounds. The sub frames were fabricated as two sections in order to fit into the local zinc bath. Once galvanized the frames were spliced together and clad with painted, perforated aluminum panels. The Sails were then flown onto the building with a tower crane as a prefabricated unit. In-factory assembly of the Sails created a very strict production and delivery schedule in order to meet installation deadlines. 

The Sails were specified to be 100% coated with an architectural finish that could stand scrutiny from the pedestrian walkways below. The unique sail effect created by these assemblies makes this parking structure an aesthetically pleasing building in the heart of Portland's central east side convention center complex and compliments the newly built Hyatt Regency next door. When looking westward towards downtown, the duplex coated sails are a great addition to the Portland skyline.