The Rain Garden, Oregon Convention Center Expansion

Portland, Oregon

Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
The $16-million expansion project features The Rain Garden, an innovative water quality treatment facility and model for urban stormwater management. The garden consists of a series of planted water basins and basalt spillways designed to collect, clean and retain all the runoff from the building’s 5.5-acre roof. The garden mimics natural processes of retaining stormwater, trapping sediments and infiltrating water.

The visible display of rain water in a garden setting directs visitors’ attention to the beauty and bounty of the Northwest landscape, but also the challenges of dealing with urban stormwater run-off and its effect on water quality in rivers and streams. Interpretive signage located at viewpoints on the terrace and bridge provides thousands of visitors the opportunity to learn about the benefits of green infrastructure, seasonal weather patterns, plants that thrive in the mild temperate climate, and the geologic formations that underlay the region.

Owner: Metropolitan Exposition-Recreation Commission

Photographer: Bruce Forster

Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center
Rain Garden Oregon Convention Center

The $16-million expansion project features The Rain Garden, an innovative water quality treatment facility and model for urban stormwater management. The garden consists of a series of planted water basins and basalt spillways designed to collect, clean and retain all the runoff from the building’s 5.5-acre roof. The garden mimics natural processes of retaining stormwater, trapping sediments and infiltrating water.

The visible display of rain water in a garden setting directs visitors’ attention to the beauty and bounty of the Northwest landscape, but also the challenges of dealing with urban stormwater run-off and its effect on water quality in rivers and streams. Interpretive signage located at viewpoints on the terrace and bridge provides thousands of visitors the opportunity to learn about the benefits of green infrastructure, seasonal weather patterns, plants that thrive in the mild temperate climate, and the geologic formations that underlay the region.

Owner

The Rain Garden, Oregon Convention Center Expansion Portland, Oregon

Services

Landscape Architecture
Visual Communications

Sustainable Features

Salmon Safe
LEED-EB Platinum certified
Native plants & wildlife habitat
Stormwater treatment & bioswales

Other Client Projects

Oregon Convention Center Blocks Vision Plan

Awards

American Society of Landscape Architects, Washington Chapter Award of Merit, 2008
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2004
Portland Design Festival Bronze Award, 2004
City of Portland, Best Water Conservation Award, 2003
Salmon Safe Certification