Put a Tree on it

solterra-building-from-street-small

Feature photo by Solterra Over the past two years, I've enjoyed watching the construction of Solterra's new building on the corner of SE 9th & Division. As the project nears completion, some unique features are coming into focus. The south facade hosts a giant mural by UK Artist Finbarr Dac. He's painted similar compositions all over the world, but this one includes a special nod to Portland with a bird on the shoulder, and a solar eclipse in the background. It will be especially interesting to see how the "living wall" hairdo evolves over time. It's the first time he's incorporated living plants into one of his pieces, though he's stated that it probably won't be the last.

A roof garden is not unusual these days, but this is the first time I've seen one with full size trees! They just showed up one day, I assume by crane, and led me to wonder... am I witnessing the birth of Portland's next big meme? #PutATreeOnIt

JC-2018.jpg

Joshua Cohen is a Principal at Fat Pencil Studio