AD—WO to Transform Historic Portland Grain Silo into a Black Cultural Landmark

A major adaptive reuse project is set to redefine Portland’s postindustrial waterfront. US studios AD—WO, Mall, and Wayside Studio have unveiled plans to convert a historic grain terminal into a 3.2-acre cultural and recreational complex. Commissioned by the nonprofit 1803 Fund, the Albina Riverside project aims to advance Black cultural expression, community gathering, and ecological renewal along the Willamette River.

Project Vision and Cultural Significance

At the heart of the development is the intention to create a “vibrant site for Black pilgrimage, creativity, and ecological restoration.” AD—WO cofounder Emanuel Admassu described the intervention as rooted in Black spatial tradition, transforming undervalued industrial land into a place of joy, memory, and assembly.

The scheme repurposes six existing silos, integrating arts, leisure, and sporting programs. The project aligns with the 1803 Fund’s objective to support spaces for exploration, learning, ritual, and community engagement.

Architecture: Reimagining the Grain Silo

The design introduces several key structures:

• Art Shed, screened with wooden slats and topped with a terrace
• Art Cube, an open-air pavilion
• Basketball Shed, designed for year-round use
• 16-storey hotel featuring a lobby atop a three-storey podium connected to flexible exhibition spaces

Central to the plan is The Crossing, a bridge-like processional terrace that spans the silos, linking programming across the site. The largest component, the 53,500-square-foot Articulated Dock, integrates terraced planters and a wading pool that provides direct access to the river.

Sustainability and Material Strategy

The material palette balances industrial memory with ecological priorities. Designers will incorporate reused concrete, mass timber, pre-oxidised copper, and repurposed steel from the terminal’s existing structural elements. These choices support both environmental responsibility and historical continuity.

The landscape strategy reflects a reparative ecological approach, with wetlands terraced and pathways carved into four zones: upland forest, scrublands, wet meadow, and slough—each responding to the hydrology of the Willamette watershed.

Community Connectivity and Collaboration

Expanded pedestrian and bicycle routes will improve access to the wider riverfront. Designers emphasised the deeply collaborative nature of the project, involving multiple studios, graphic designers, and the 1803 Fund. Mall founder Jennifer Bonner highlighted the significance of reclaiming postindustrial land for Portland’s Black community and visitors.