Lawrence Halprin's Lovejoy Fountain Plaza,
1966
Perhaps Portland's finest outdoor plaza, this
celebration of waterfalls and geographical features of
the Pacific Northwest consists of stair steps,
whooshing water, and organic shapes. Its creator also
designed the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in
Washington, D.C. SW Third Avenue and Harrison
Street
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A.E. Doyle's Multnomah County
Library Central, 1913
A bibliophile's fantasy, this icon of American
architecture is an adventure in grandeur. Huge windows,
a towering ceiling, and an elegant staircase inside
convey permanence, and the outside exemplifies the
architect's fascination with European styles. The
Georgian-influenced exterior is a symphony of red brick
and white stone. 801 SW 10th Avenue, www.multcolib.org
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Pietro Belluschi's Commonwealth Building,
1944-1948
Seemingly floating in the sky, this sleek glass
tower, a vision of sea-green glass and gleaming metal,
was the first of its kind, pioneering the way for other
famous buildings like New York's Lever House and the
United Nations Building. What set it apart? Among other
things, it was the first to be sheathed in aluminum, be
fully air-conditioned, and feature double-sealed glass
windows (reducing solar heat and eliminating sky
glare). It also set the standard for compact, boxlike
structures. 421 SW Sixth Avenue, between Washington and
Stark streets
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