Volunteerism, Collaboration, Innovative Architecture Produce New Winter Entry to Timberline Lodge
Sandy, OR – Since its construction in 1937, providing pedestrians winter access to Timberline Lodge when snows envelope the Lodge to depths exceeding 20 feet has always been a challenge. Over five years have now passed since a non-profit corporation, Friends of Timberline, seized the initiative to solve the problem and began raising funds and in-kind services which now total $773,000. The fruit of the working coalition consisting of Friends of Timberline, RLK and Company (operators of Timberline Lodge), and Mt. Hood National Forest is the graceful reticulated design of Portland’s innovative architecture firm, rhiza A + D. Installation of the new winter entry is scheduled for the week of September 20. The ribbon cutting ceremony of Timberline Lodge’s New Winter Entrance will occur at 3:45 p.m. on October 3, 2009. Media outlets are invited to attend.
Like a snowdrift blown against the National Historic Landmark’s massive masonry façade, the design created by Ean Eldred and Peter Nylen of rhiza A + D emerged as the winner of an international architecture competition. “It will be an icon next to an existing icon,” said Joachim Grube, President of Friends of Timberline, the non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Timberline Lodge. Consisting of 12 aluminum arches covered with translucent polycarbonate panels, the one-of-a-kind components are being fabricated by IMD (Innovative Metal Design LLC).
Gary Larsen, Mt. Hood National Forest Supervisor, and Jeff Kohnstamm, President of RLK and Company jointly committed to logistically and financially supporting this project. “The original architects from the 1930’s had their own interpretation of the Lodge. Today, we have a new age of fresh thinking architects with their own interpretation. Timberline Lodge is the people’s Lodge so the spirit of what people think today is important to how we continue to see the Lodge,” said Gary Larsen, Mt. Hood National Forest Supervisor. Jeff Kohnstamm, President of RLK and Company added, “As operators of Timberline Lodge, we are pleased to support this project which will enhance both this beloved structure and the experience of our visitors.”
Construction of new footings, concrete steps, and landings for the Lodge’s main entrance was also accomplished mainly by in-kind services of a coalition of contractors, sub-contractors, and suppliers under the coordination of Hoffman Construction Company. In addition, generous grants from several foundations also helped make this project a reality.
Media Contacts: Joachim Grube, Friends of Timberline at 503-503-221-0150 or 503-572-7646 (cell); Jon Tullis, RLK & Co., Operators of Timberline Lodge at 503-272-3134; Ean Eldred, rhiza A + D Architecture and Design at 503-484-5495; or Rick Acosta, Mt. Hood National Forest at 503-668-1791.
