![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1462/xs_blanchet_exterior_night_hero.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1462/sm_blanchet_exterior_night_hero.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1462/md_blanchet_exterior_night_hero.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1462/lg_blanchet_exterior_night_hero.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1462/xl_blanchet_exterior_night_hero.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1462/xxl_blanchet_exterior_night_hero.jpg 2400w)
Blanchet House of Hospitality
Founded in 1952, Blanchet House of Hospitality is a non-profit organization offering free meals, beds and jobs for the area’s homeless population. SERA’s design for the four-story new Blanchet House of Hospitality is located adjacent to the former building in Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown district.
![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1461/xs_blanchet_living_pin.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1461/sm_blanchet_living_pin.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1461/md_blanchet_living_pin.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1461/lg_blanchet_living_pin.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1461/xl_blanchet_living_pin.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1461/xxl_blanchet_living_pin.jpg 2400w)
Details
Name
Blanchet House of Hospitality
Client
Blanchet House of Hospitality
Status
Completed 2012
Location
Portland, OR
Sustainability
LEED NC Platinum Certified
Services
Specialties
![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1464/xs_blanchet_exterior_hero.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1464/sm_blanchet_exterior_hero.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1464/md_blanchet_exterior_hero.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1464/lg_blanchet_exterior_hero.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1464/xl_blanchet_exterior_hero.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1464/xxl_blanchet_exterior_hero.jpg 2400w)
More space to meet a pressing need
The new building provides more space for the Blanchet House’s needs, including a larger soup kitchen and three floors of residential rooms with a central shared bathroom, laundry and community room on each floor.
![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1469/xs_blanchet_green_roof.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1469/sm_blanchet_green_roof.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1469/md_blanchet_green_roof.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1469/lg_blanchet_green_roof.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1469/xl_blanchet_green_roof.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1469/xxl_blanchet_green_roof.jpg 2400w)
A new building that ties in with its surroundings
The building’s design serves to enhance the surrounding historic neighborhood and provide a positive, supportive space for the people who will use it on a daily basis. SERA took design cues from the nearby buildings to shape the massing, scale and rhythm of the new building.
Design details that matter
The design follows a traditional tri-part pattern with a glazed base, brick middle, and a defined cornice line. Balconies were added as an amenity, with the guardrail details referencing the nearby Chinese Garden.
![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1468/xs_blanchet_kitchen.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1468/sm_blanchet_kitchen.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1468/md_blanchet_kitchen.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1468/lg_blanchet_kitchen.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1468/xl_blanchet_kitchen.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1468/xxl_blanchet_kitchen.jpg 2400w)
![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1465/xs_blanchet_interior_hero_view.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1465/sm_blanchet_interior_hero_view.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1465/md_blanchet_interior_hero_view.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1465/lg_blanchet_interior_hero_view.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1465/xl_blanchet_interior_hero_view.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1465/xxl_blanchet_interior_hero_view.jpg 2400w)
![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1466/xs_blanchet_double_room.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1466/sm_blanchet_double_room.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1466/md_blanchet_double_room.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1466/lg_blanchet_double_room.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1466/xl_blanchet_double_room.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1466/xxl_blanchet_double_room.jpg 2400w)
Identifying goals, with the climate in mind
SERA provided integrated design services starting with the eco-charrette and climate analysis. By listening to the client’s goals and designing the building with climate requirements in mind, we were able to eliminate mechanical systems within the units, utilizing a super-insulated envelope.
Smart systems that manage resources
The project will receive over $300,000 in incentives for the project, allowing the project to incorporate one of the city’s largest rainwater harvesting systems, energy-efficient lighting, extra insulation, thermally-broken low-e windows, and a 2,500 sf eco-roof that, together with the rainwater tank, allows for 100% of the stormwater to be managed on site and used for toilet flushing.
![](https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1467/xs_blanchet_room.jpg 320w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1467/sm_blanchet_room.jpg 640w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1467/md_blanchet_room.jpg 1024w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1467/lg_blanchet_room.jpg 1400w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1467/xl_blanchet_room.jpg 1800w,https://www.seradesign.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1467/xxl_blanchet_room.jpg 2400w)