While Waterleaf was designing a fresh new storefront, open showroom space and building core improvements for the Dinihanian Building, Roche Bobois fell in love with the space along with its signature, historic rotating sign and the design-centric West End neighborhood. The French high-end furniture retailer enlisted Waterleaf to develop and design the interiors of their new Portland showroom. Originally built in 1947, the two-story building contained layers of plaster which were removed from inside the exterior walls and ceiling, uncovering beautiful and massive heavy timber beams as well as steel and concrete structural components. In addition, the original oak floor was restored and space-dividing walls were added to create intimate spaces within the large open showroom. Subsequent improvements included relocating the entrance to provide increased accessibility and create a clean, open storefront and installing a new steel entry canopy to replace the old fabric awnings.
 

Program: Retail