Block 41

Sitting along the banks of the beautiful Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, Block 41 is a 23-story tower featuring 340 residential units and 3,800 square feet of commercial space. The impressive building is part of a 10-acre site developed by Alamo Manhattan with panoramic views of the river, a greenway park, and luxury building amenities.  

To add interest and value to this exciting development, OTL was asked to design and build a water feature to complement the space, incorporating both urban and natural elements on an interactive deck.  

Idea 

The main challenge the OTL project team overcame was to create a big impact in a small footprint. The designated area for the Block 41 water feature was just an 8’ by 20’ rectangle, and the desire was to keep any splash inside that area.  

Featuring jet displays and LED lighting over a sloped concrete pad, the design is minimalist but impactful, allowing for an aesthetically pleasing display of the sights and sounds of moving water without a lot of splash.  

Upon initial installation, the jets that were selected for the project were delivering more water than anticipated in the original design, based on the product specs. They were a bit too powerful, causing the resulting splash to exceed the boundaries of the concrete pad. To get it right, the OTL team took careful readings on the jets’ system performance, and worked with the manufacturer to select different jets that would produce the right output to match the design.  

Once the new jets were installed, the fountain operated as intended, and the water that flows through the jets disappears between the joints and returns to an underground storage tank, where it is recirculated for continued use.  

Impact  

Surrounded by benches, trees, a green belt and embedded LED lights in the pavement, the water feature at Block 41 offers a serene and contemplative spot for residents and guests alike. The fountain is especially breathtaking in the evenings, when the jets shoot water up above the lights, and the tranquil sound can be heard throughout the area. This gathering space will certainly remain a popular amenity for years to come.