Public Service Building (Portland, Oregon)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Michael Graves' building, with its distinctive block-like design and square windows, has become an icon of postmodern architecture. In 1985, the building was adorned by addition of the hammered-copper statue Portlandia above the front entrance.
The building remains controversial among Portlanders as well as the entire architecture field for its revolutionary design which was a rejection of the Modernist principles established in the early 20th century. The design was selected as the winning design in a large scale design competition with Philip Johnson as one of the three members of the selection committee.
Many structural flaws, said to be due to a lack of funds, came to light shortly after the building's completion.[1] The building's failings are the subject of much humor and contempt by the civil servants who work there.