Portland Leather Co.

Handcrafted goods, especially leather items, have experienced a resurgence recently and the demand for adequate maker spaces and studio spaces are on the rise.

The concept for this project was to create a structure that would integrate both work and living spaces to allow for a holistic approach to the crafting of leather goods. The success of handcrafted goods rely on their ability to tell a story, so I made the main collaborative and work space mostly glass to put on display the physical storytelling of transforming raw materials into products.

My intention was to create an assortment of maker spaces and offices that could appeal to a variety of individuals and professions. More robust facilities would be located on the ground floor along with designated shipping and retail spaces, while open studio rooms and offices would be on the second and third floors located near the living quarters.