Expanding a Classic Portland Landmark
Lan Su Chinese Garden, Expansion Feasibility Study
Civic and Public
Since opening in 2000, the Lan Su Chinese Garden has become an iconic landmark in Portland Oregon serving as the cultural heart of the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood. In 2024, the non-profit organization that manages the garden sought to expand the site. ZGF provided concept design and rendering services to support the non-profit’s capital campaign aimed at raising funds for the project. The proposed design will double the footprint by expanding the garden onto the block to the north of the current site. The expansion will provide the necessary space to enhance the organization’s programming with a 500-seat performance/banquet space, outdoor amphitheater, offices, classrooms, greenhouses, exhibitions, gallery, café, and gift shop.
The design vision for Lan Su’s expansion is deeply rooted in the principles of the classical Chinese garden, weaving together essential elements—water, rock, horticulture, architecture, and poetry—while thoughtfully reinterpreting them within the distinctive landscape and cultural context of the Pacific Northwest. By harmonizing traditional Chinese architectural concepts with a contemporary design and regional sensibilities, the project aspires to create an environment that reflects both Chinese culture and the Pacific Northwest.
Location
Portland, OR
Square Feet
N/A
Completion date
2024
Project Component
Feasibility Study
Concept Design
Programming
"This expansion will transform how we serve the community for generations to come. It will allow us to welcome more visitors, host larger school groups, and create exhibition spaces that showcase the richness of Chinese culture."
Elizabeth Nye, Executive Director, Lan Su Chinese Garden
The proposed design will double the footprint by expanding the garden on the block to the north of the current site.
Material choices also reflect project goals. A key objective in designing the facility was to counterbalance the existing, walled garden, with a more extroverted and welcoming atmosphere. The walls of traditional Chinese gardens are typically solid and enclosed, alternatively, the use of glass bricks will permit light to enter with varying levels of visibility. This transparency enhances the open nature of the community center creating a facility that is glowing with energy and activity. The center will also feature a large-scale sliding wood and metal screen along the exterior allowing visibility into the courtyard along with the added flexibility to partition off the space for public or private events.
The Lan Su Chinese Garden’s conceptual plan aims to create an inviting space that will transform how this classic Portland landmark serves the community— expanding the organization’s opportunities for education and celebration along with supporting the revitalization of Portland’s Old Town China Town neighborhood. The expansion represents Lan Su’s next step in fulfilling their original vision and a new chapter of growth for the beloved garden.
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