PORTLAND, Ore. – June 11, 2019 – Nonprofit and renowned convener Ecotrust today announces a new venue in its constellation of aesthetically beautiful, deeply connected event spaces. The newly opened Irving Street Studio is more than 7,000 feet of beautiful wood floors, historic brick archways, original wood beams, and ample natural light on the ground floor of the organization’s Natural Capital Center headquarters at 721 Northwest 9th Ave. in Portland, Ore.

The Irving Street Studio marries the history and original materials of the Natural Capital Center’s 1895 warehouse origin, with a future-oriented renovation featuring integrated audiovisual technology, single-user in-venue restrooms, and green building materials. With capacity for up to 500, the space has already played host to a national social enterprise business conference; a sustainable fashion show, conference, and pop-up gallery; a barn-burning fundraiser; and a loving wedding since its opening on April 1.

“The Natural Capital Center, often referred to as ‘The Ecotrust Building’, was designed to foster the power of convening people and ideas in a thoughtful environment,” said Jeanne Kubal, Ecotrust vice president of events and engagement. “The Irving Street Studio continues to underscore the value of bringing people together, at a greater scale and impact. Ecotrust now has the ability to convene large groups on our ground floor, provide breakout spaces on our second floor, and celebrate the day on the rooftop terrace. We’re thrilled to work with the community to bring inspiration to life.”

Green Hammer, a Portland-based design-build firm and certified B Corp, led the renovation of Irving Street Studio. Green Hammer’s values align with Ecotrust’s and it shows in the carpentry details, energy-saving upgrades, and attention to indoor air quality at Irving Street Studio. Forest Stewardship Council-certified trim and cabinetry complement the original brick archways, old-growth timber flooring and beams, and huge floor-to-ceiling windows. New lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation systems improve the indoor air quality and comfort while drastically reducing energy use.

The renovation of the Irving Street Studio is an extension of the Ecotrust project that in 2001 transformed a nineteenth century warehouse into the world’s first LEED Gold certified historic renovation. Since then, the Natural Capital Center has been a hub for a new economy of ideas, connections, and the growth of “Natural Capital” — the flow of goods and services from nature — as the measure of prosperity and resilience. A fellow tenant in the Natural Capital Center, Green Hammer exemplifies this new economy though its engagement in numerous deep energy renovations as well as design-build projects for both homeowners and commercial businesses.

A community grand opening at the Irving Street Studio is planned for August 8, 2019. More information about this celebration and other public events in the space is available at ecotrust.org/events and detailed about renting the Irving Street Studio are at ecotrust.org/venue.

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 About Ecotrust

Ecotrust creates and accelerates triple-bottom-line innovations to benefit our region and inspire the world. Our home is Salmon Nation, the region from California to Alaska that holds productive lands and determined people. On the farm, at the coast, in the forest, and across our cities, we work in partnership towards an equitable, prosperous, climate-smart future. We recognize the legacy of colonialism and the deep inequities of this place, and we believe that radical, practical change is possible and necessary. Since 1991, we have created durable change and sparked ideas across the globe. Join us at ecotrust.org.

About Green Hammer Design Build
Green Hammer Design Build delivers long-term value by creating healthy, resilient and inspiring buildings that improve occupants’ wellbeing and relationship with nature. Established in 2002, Green Hammer Design Build is a certified B-Corp based in Portland, Ore., that has completed numerous award-winning projects — including the Tasting Room at Cowhown Vineyard and Garden, which is the first and only Living Building Challenge-certified commercial building in Oregon. Founder Stephen Aiguier is a leading green building expert and teacher on zero energy and Passive House design principles. The firm has received numerous awards including the 2017 Forest Stewardship Council’s Leadership Award and a 2019 Portland Business Journal Small Business Innovation Award. Learn more at greenhammer.com.