Commercial


Blue Lagoon Restaurant

Client
Portland Holdings
Year
2014
Program
Commercial
Status
Approved
Location
Blue Lagoon, Portland
Size ( sq. ft.)
35,000

ABOUT

The re-design and re-building of a restaurant at one of Portland’s greatest natural attractions.


Description

The project involves the rebuilding of a restaurant at the Blue Lagoon, one of the greatest natural attractions in Portland. Currently, the old restaurant building is in a dilapidated state and no longer has the spatial capacity to function as a viable investment. The site faces several challenges, with a steeply sloping hill forcing the building forward, the old structure placed pylons in the water to support a covered dining area, these pylons have completely deteriorated and cannot be used. The design options explored included “in-rock”, “over-water” and “hill-top” arrangements. The new design combines in-rock and over-water features, with the key objective being to increase the amount of deck space for guest seating but doing so in a way that prevented the ecological impact of having new pylons placed in the lagoon. Essentially, the design proposes cutting into the hillside to increase the buildable area over land, thereby creating a platform from which a cantilevered deck could be founded. The super-structure consists of laminated timber beams arranged as an enlarged “space-frame” that creates a habitable space. Dining options include the cantilevered lagoon deck, a bar, open air garden dining and private cabanas that surround the perimeter of the lagoon. The service spaces are perpendicular to the main deck, and additional parking and guest bathrooms are located on the gardens, south of the main building.

Design Team

Nicole Auden | Alessandra Aziza | Vidal Dowding | Matthew McGann | Khari Peart | Ravi Sittol | John Samuels | Dewayne Webb