This 35-story luxury high-rise combines Portland’s first five-star hotel—the Ritz-Carlton Residences—with Class A office space, retail, condominiums, ballrooms, and a conference center, alongside five levels of below-grade parking. Its state-of-the-art design, marked by expansive glazing, high ceilings, and advanced heating and cooling systems, is targeting LEED Gold Certification.
RDH Building Science provided comprehensive Design Assist building enclosure consulting services for GBD Architects from schematic design through construction, addressing the unique challenges of the tower’s custom enclosure systems.
- Complex Curtain Wall Design: The building features a custom unitized glass curtain wall with compound-sloped geometry and facet-edged details, requiring innovative solutions for water management and transitions between the curtain wall and the large precast concrete panels on the podium and penthouse levels.
- Performance Testing and Optimization: RDH attended performance mock-up testing, leveraging our expertise in complex façade systems to identify and resolve issues, ensuring the façade’s functionality and durability under real-world conditions.
- Moisture Management Innovations: Below-grade streams presented significant water intrusion risks to the parking structure. RDH conducted third-party reviews of the waterproofing systems, providing 100% substrate review to meet enhanced warranty requirements. Additionally, we addressed condensation concerns from the swimming pool area’s curtain wall design and advised on waterproofing strategies for interior features, such as shower pans.
Throughout the project, RDH played a critical role in facilitating team coordination. Our engineers contributed to design and pre-construction meetings, conducted dozens of site visits, and collaborated closely with project stakeholders to resolve challenges.
By combining technical expertise with proactive problem-solving, we delivered enclosure solutions that meet the highest standards for performance and design for long-term durability and occupant comfort.
