PDXplore panel discussion July 8, 2008

"PDXplore: Designing Portland"

Five local members of the architecture and design community explore ideas about how Portland will grow and change in the years ahead.

The five participants are Rudy Barton, an architecture professor at Portland State and longtime chair of the school's architecture department; Rick Potestio, one of the city's most talented architects; Mike McCulloch, former head of the city's Design Commission and a veteran architect; Carol Mayer-Reed, a founding principal of landscape architecture firm Mayer-Reed; and William Tripp, another venerable local architect.

Pdxplore Barton's focus will be Portland's relationship to the Willamette River. Coming to Portland from New Orleans, he knows the tremendous opportunity but also the risk facing such environments. Reed will use a variety of aerial photos and other research material to try and define what makes the city unique from a topographical and natural perspective. McCulloch is creating a series of diagrams for the city called "River, Ravine and Ring". Tripp will present in his drawings the potential of what he calls "ritual space", the outdoor public areas essential to creating and fostering community. Potestio also loves to draw, and his illustrations will present a look at a Portland of tomorrow and how it can be far more dense without sacrificing what makes us unique.

On Tuesday, July 8 from 6-9PM, there will be a panel discussion in which the five designers discuss their work and ideas.

Official Website: http://www.pdxplore.org/