Harbor of Hope Portland: Oregon Navigation Center — RPM Team
As cities on the West Coast have been experiencing a growing unhoused population, city residents, politicians, and business leaders are working to assist this homeless population receive help and transform their lives. The River District Navigation Center plays a crucial role in providing shelter beds and services for homeless individuals in Northwest Portland. Columbia Sportswear CEO, Tim Boyle, took the initiative and funded the development of Portland’s first ‘Homeless Navigation Center,’ the Oregon Harbor of Hope (OHOH) Navigation center. The center collaborates with local organizations and the private sector to address the needs of the homeless population.
This Navigation center is the first of its kind in Portland with space for over 100 beds and is located near the Broadway bridge in the city’s Pearl District. Prosper Portland owns the plot of land where the Harbor of Hope Navigation Center is built, facilitating the partnership and financial support for the shelter's establishment and upkeep. The design was chosen because of its rapid deployment, limited foundation requirements, and excellent insulation making the facility more environmentally sustainable than other options. The River District Navigation Center, which opened in 2019, assists individuals experiencing homelessness by providing essential services.
In addition to the rapid deployment and sustainability, the Sprung Structures design also enabled a column-free interior which gave the architects flexible interior space planning. This allowed for a unique interior buildout that gave residents a better flow and a general calmness with the finishes selected for the project. The finishes paired well with the mosaic skylight sections allowed balanced natural light to illuminate the space. Sprung’s glazing options allowed the interior space to open into the exterior nature giving more hues of green on the interior from the exterior plants accentuating with the Sprung green exterior membrane. The center provides essential on-site services, such as health and addiction treatment, to support residents effectively.
We consulted OHOH on the Sprung design and the land use process. In addition to the entitlements, we managed all government communication as which turned into was a great public private partnership collaboration. We also provided specifications for the interior finishes which were inspired by trauma-informed design principles to ensure the interior space was a truly transformational living experience. The center is committed to addressing the diverse needs of its residents, providing safe harbors for vulnerable populations.
The bold action taken by stakeholders to address the complexities of Portland’s homeless crisis demonstrates the urgency and decisive measures needed to tackle this long-standing issue. Collaboration with local organizations focused on homelessness in surrounding communities is also highlighted. Transition Projects plays a significant role in aiding homeless individuals and couples in their journey toward permanent housing.
