Masonry Magazine January 1972 Page. 14
Situated in Portland's newest urban renewal area, this Ramada Inn is built of dry-press structural brick units with warm tones to match the beauty of the landscaping. Four wings of the 257-unit complex form a protected poolside environment.
Ramada Inn and Center 4 Restaurant
Portland, Oregon
Architects: Travers/Johnston, AIA, P.C.
Structural Engineers: Mackenzie Engineering, Inc.
General Contractor: Teeples & Thatcher, Inc.
Mason Contractor: Smith Masonry, Inc. (MCAA)
The Ramada Inn located in Portland's newest landscaped urban development center presented a special challenge to the architects. The existing national image of this motel chain and the character of the area appeared to be incompatible. The solution, however, was found by using a face brick having a smooth texture with warm tones that permitted exposure both on the exterior and interior walls. Grouted on 4 centers, these structural masonry walls were capped with on-site-built, precast floor slabs lifted in place with cranes, enabling the mason contractor to accomplish his work with rapidity and skill. This system resulted in producing an excellently designed building at a cost under $14 per square foot.
Extending the outside unit walls created a balcony as a major feature of the motel design. The brick "fins," corbelled out above the first floor, served to support the floor slabs as well as the precast concrete railings. These brick units were in 12" widths as were the piers supporting the metal canopy at the lobby entry.
The entire job took 112,000 giant units with nominal dimensions of 4" x 16", the widths varying from 4" to 12". Over 300 cubic yards of grout were pumped into the exterior walls, with the brick core containing #5 rebar to satisfy the seismic Zone 2 building code requirements and fire rating code.
The building was designed with four wings having 257 living units located on an irregular site to form a protected.
Several masonry diamond saw blades were worn out in the cutting and shaping of these abrasive units to meet the design concept of the architects. The many angles as shown here continually tested the skill of the bricklayer but produced very eye-pleasing results. Skilled bricklayers, trained under the Portland apprenticeship program, were utilized in the project.