Architects: Skylab Architecture
Area: 7,769 ft²
Year: 2018
Photography: Jeremy Bitterman, Stephen Miller (video)
Contractor: Skylab Construction Co.
Civil Engineer: Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.
Structural Engineer: Structural Engineering (SCE)
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineers: Interface Engineering
Landscape: 2.ink Studio
Lighting: Lighting Workshop
Acoustical Engineer: Coral Sound Inc.
Skatepark Consultant: Dream Land Skateparks
City: Portland
Country: United States
The NM Bodecker Foundation, designed by Skylab Architecture in Portland, Oregon, reimagines a series of 1950s warehouses into a creative center for artistic exploration. Completed in 2018, the 7,769-square-foot project includes performance areas, a recording studio, an indoor skatepark, and residential spaces. Merging contemporary architecture with the site’s industrial past, the foundation provides a versatile environment that encourages artistic collaboration, curiosity, and sustainability through green spaces and living roofs. The project honors founder Sandy Bodecker’s vision of fostering creativity within a dynamic, multi-use space for emerging artists and the wider community.
The NM Bodecker Foundation, founded by Sandy Bodecker in 2017, serves as a versatile space for workshops, gatherings, and creative collaboration. Located in northwest Portland, Oregon, the foundation occupies a group of 1950s-era warehouses and a former parking lot that were repurposed and redesigned by Skylab Architecture. Initially conceived as Bodecker’s personal creative home, the project was inspired by his love for discovery and exploration, likened to a labyrinth. The architecture reflects these values, blending historical industrial forms with contemporary design to create a dynamic space for creativity.
The project involved merging and reconfiguring the warehouses into a cohesive environment that integrates both interior and exterior spaces. Inspired by Gordon Matta-Clark’s “Building Cuts,” the design incorporates physical cuts and modifications to the original structures while preserving their historical boundaries. Sections of the roofs and walls were sliced open, and a new central core was added, fusing the old and new elements. This multi-story, 7,769-square-foot facility includes informal performance areas, a state-of-the-art recording studio, an indoor skatepark, and living spaces. Nearly a third of the site was reserved for green spaces, featuring living roofs and outdoor yards designed to manage stormwater and connect the complex with nature.
After Bodecker’s passing in 2018, the foundation took full control of the building, which now serves as a hub for emerging artists, performers, and the local creative community. The design promotes an environment of openness and exploration, encouraging curiosity and creative expression. The program allows for a mixture of activities—art-making, music recording, performing, and skateboarding—within intersecting spaces that foster collaboration. The ground floor houses the primary creative areas, while the second and third floors contain living quarters for the artist-in-residence program, overlooking the active spaces below.
The material palette mixes salvaged components from the original warehouses with modern finishes, creating a contrast between the vintage and the contemporary. The new construction features sleek, modern aesthetics, juxtaposed with the aged patina of the repurposed industrial elements. Interior materials, such as exposed wood trusses, steel elements, and unfinished plywood wall cladding, were selected for their ability to age naturally and showcase craftsmanship. Custom lighting enhances the dynamic nature of the spaces, contributing to the overall visual impact of the design.
The NM Bodecker Foundation’s design embodies its mission to inspire creativity, action, and meaningful engagement. By offering a space where art, music, and performance intersect, the foundation supports in-person and virtual collaboration. The building’s architecture serves as a testament to Bodecker’s vision of creating a place where curiosity, creativity, and community thrive, ensuring a lasting impact on Portland’s creative scene.
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Project Location
Address: 2360 NW Quimby Street, Portland, Oregon 97210, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
