Columbia Gorge Design Trail: These are the hotels design-minded architects visit – OregonLive.com

Report on the Architectural Foundation of Oregon’s Initiatives for Sustainable Development

Introduction: Mission and Alignment with Global Goals

The Architectural Foundation of Oregon (AFO), established nearly 45 years ago, is dedicated to public education and engagement concerning the value of well-designed architectural spaces. The foundation’s work inherently supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in its efforts to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities.

The Design Trail Initiative: A Framework for Sustainable Revitalization

The AFO has launched “The Design Trail,” a new program designed to showcase revitalized historic buildings. This initiative serves as a practical demonstration of sustainable development principles in action, directly contributing to the following SDGs:

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The program champions the adaptive reuse of existing structures, preserving cultural heritage while reducing urban sprawl and the environmental impact of new construction.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By revitalizing historic properties for modern use, the projects stimulate local economies, create jobs in construction and hospitality, and promote sustainable tourism.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The focus on renovation over demolition embodies sustainable production patterns by minimizing waste and conserving the embodied energy within existing buildings.

The inaugural event, held in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, highlights successful models of sustainable architectural renewal.

Case Studies in Sustainable Urban and Rural Regeneration

The Design Trail features several properties that exemplify the successful integration of historic preservation with modern, sustainable functionality. These projects contribute to building resilient infrastructure (SDG 9) and revitalizing local communities.

1. The Society Hotel Bingen: This project involved the renovation of a 1937 schoolhouse, a structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Its transformation into a hotel with private suites, hostel bunks, and community spaces demonstrates a commitment to preserving historical assets while creating new economic opportunities (SDG 8) and community hubs (SDG 11).
2. Butler Bank Building (1924): The preservation of this architecturally significant building, designed by A.E. Doyle, safeguards local cultural heritage, a key target of SDG 11.
3. Union Building Lofts: The conversion of an early 1900s industrial facility, which stood unused for over 50 years, into residential lofts, offices, and short-term rentals is a prime example of urban regeneration. This adaptive reuse project addresses the need for housing and commercial space while preventing dereliction, contributing to both SDG 11 and SDG 8.
4. Lightwell Hotel & Spa: The restoration of the long-abandoned 1904 Waucoma Hotel into a modern hospitality venue represents a significant investment in sustainable community development.
   • The project included essential structural and seismic upgrades, enhancing infrastructure resilience in line with SDG 9.
   • By giving “the community back a cornerstone of our downtown,” the project strengthens local identity and fosters community pride (SDG 11).
   • Sustainable practices were employed, such as repurposing original oak wood floors as decorative panels, directly supporting SDG 12 by promoting the efficient use of resources.

Educational Outreach and Fostering Future Generations

Contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education

Proceeds from The Design Trail event support the AFO’s “Architects in Schools” program. This educational initiative is a direct contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education). By engaging over 5,000 elementary students annually, the program fosters critical thinking about the built environment, sustainable design, and community planning. It aims to cultivate a future generation of citizens who are knowledgeable and passionate about creating sustainable and inclusive communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights the Architectural Foundation of Oregon’s educational mission, specifically its “Architects in Schools” program. This initiative engages over 5,000 elementary students annually, encouraging them to think about structures and the environments they create, which aligns with providing quality and relevant education.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The revitalization of historic buildings into hotels, lofts, and office spaces, such as the Lightwell Hotel & Spa and the Union Building Lofts, stimulates local economies. This process creates jobs in construction, hospitality, and tourism, and promotes sustainable tourism by leveraging local cultural assets, as seen with “The Design Trail” event.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The article details the restoration of old buildings, which involves significant infrastructure upgrades. For example, the Lightwell Hotel building was “reinforced with structural and seismic upgrades.” This act of retrofitting and repurposing existing structures represents a sustainable approach to infrastructure development, making them resilient and functional for modern use.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The core theme of the article is the protection and revitalization of cultural heritage. By restoring and repurposing historic buildings like the 1904 Waucoma Hotel and the 1937 Bingen schoolhouse, the foundation and developers are actively working to “protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage,” making communities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.7 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including…appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.”
   • The “Architects in Schools” program directly addresses this target by educating young students about architecture, design, and the built environment, fostering an appreciation for the cultural contribution of well-planned spaces and historic structures.
2. Target 8.9 (under SDG 8): “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”
   • “The Design Trail” event is a clear example of promoting sustainable tourism. It showcases revitalized historic buildings, which promotes local culture and creates economic opportunities in the hospitality sector (e.g., jobs at the new hotels and restaurants mentioned).
3. Target 9.1 (under SDG 9): “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.”
   • The renovation projects described, particularly the mention of “structural and seismic upgrades” to the old Waucoma Hotel, align with this target. Repurposing old buildings instead of demolishing them is a form of sustainable infrastructure development, and making them seismically resilient enhances their quality and reliability.
4. Target 11.4 (under SDG 11): “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”
   • This target is central to the article. The entire initiative of “The Design Trail” and the specific examples of restoring the Butler Bank Building, the Union Building Lofts, and the Waucoma Hotel are direct efforts to protect, restore, and give new life to significant cultural heritage sites.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 4.7: The article provides a direct quantitative measure for the educational program.
   • Indicator: Number of students reached by educational programs on sustainable environments. The article states the “Architects in Schools” program engages “more than 5,000 Oregon elementary students a year.”
2. Indicator for Target 8.9: The article implies progress through the creation of new economic entities.
   • Indicator: Number of new businesses and accommodation units created through sustainable tourism initiatives. The article lists the creation of “private suites, hostel-style bunks,” “a cafe and lounge,” “six residential lofts,” “office spaces,” “short-term studio rentals,” and “69 modern guest rooms” in repurposed historic buildings.
3. Indicator for Target 9.1: The article points to specific infrastructure improvements.
   • Indicator: Number of heritage buildings upgraded to meet modern resilience standards. The specific mention of “structural and seismic upgrades” for the Lightwell Hotel serves as a qualitative example of this indicator.
4. Indicator for Target 11.4: The article lists specific heritage sites that have been safeguarded.
   • Indicator: Number of cultural heritage buildings protected and repurposed. The article explicitly names several revitalized sites, including the 1937 Bingen schoolhouse, the 1924 Butler Bank Building, the early 1900s Union Building, and the 1904 Waucoma Hotel.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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