Michael S. Hamm, ASLA
Hay-bale walls at the Learning Lodge provide excellent insulation, reducing energy use. Photo by Jamie Pham, 2010.
Portico accepted the 2010 Thea Award at the 16th Annual Thea Awards Gala, held at Universal Studios Hollywood in March.
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose, California reopened to the public on March 20, 2010.
Minnesota Zoo’s Russia’s Grizzly Coast wins 2009 AZA Exhibit Award.
Philadelphia Zoo's McNeil Avian Center
Alissa Rupp, AIA, LEED®
Portico President Mike Hamm Selected for Induction to ASLA Council of Fellows
July 30, 2010
Mike Hamm, President and CEO, is one of 41 ASLA members selected for 2010 induction into the association's distinguished Council of Fellows. Fellowship is among the highest ASLA honors and recognizes Hamm's significant contributions to the landscape architecture profession and the public - through his work, leadership and management, knowledge, and service. Read more about this honor and Hamm's accomplishments.
Descanso Gardens Makes Front Page of New York Times
July 30, 2010
In 2009, The Portico Group completed a master plan for Descanso Gardens, a botanical garden located in Southern California. On Tuesday, July 27, the garden was featured on the front page of The New York Times. Read the article.
Minnesota Zoo Breaks Ground on “Heart of the Zoo” Plan
July 01, 2010
On Monday, June 21st, the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley broke ground on the $20 million first phase of the "Heart of the Zoo" strategic plan, one of Portico's current projects. Read more about this groundbreaking event.
Portico Teams up with Local A/E Firms to Feed Hungry Children
July 01, 2010
For the second consecutive year, Portico is participating in Food Frenzy, a friendly fund-raising competition between regional professional firms to benefit Food Lifeline. Aiming to end hunger for children in Western Washington, Food Frenzy takes place for two weeks in July and is an opportunity for staff to give back to our community through various fund-raising and awareness activities. Interested in helping us support Food Lifeline this summer? Donate now! (Please note "TPG" on the donation form.)
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo Achieves LEED® Gold
June 22, 2010
Portico is thrilled to announce that Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose, California has been awarded LEED® Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures.
Read the press release
Portico Announces the Acquisition of Design Visualization Specialists, Primedia Group
June 17, 2010
Dean Alker and Joseph Ferry, formerly co-owners of Primedia Group LLC, have joined Portico as senior-level design visualization specialists. They bring to the firm an in-house ability to provide 3D visualization services and technology for the architectural design process, renderings, virtual tour animation, environmental visual analysis, print-ready imagery, and much more. Learn more about these exciting capabilities.
Read the press release
Portico’s Work at Descanso Gardens Featured in L.A. Times Article, May 21
May 24, 2010
Read the article here. In 2009, The Portico Group completed a master plan for Descanso, a botanical garden located in Southern California.
Philadelphia Zoo’s McNeil Avian Center Receives 2010 Thea Award
April 15, 2010
As lead exhibit and habitat designers for the McNeil Avian Center at the Philadelphia Zoo, Portico is honored to be on the project team receiving a 2010 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement. The prestigious Thea Awards, presented by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), recognize excellence in the creation of outstanding visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits, and places.
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo Reopens March 2010
March 01, 2010
After nine years of planning and design, Portico is thrilled to announce the reopening of the newly renovated, $72 million Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose, California. The integrated park and zoo facility is a model of green design building practices and is LEED® Gold certified. Focusing on children's experiences of playing, learning, and having fun, Happy Hollow offers families an affordable, sustainable, and conservation-centered outdoor adventure.
Read the press release
Minnesota Zoo’s Russia’s Grizzly Coast wins 2009 AZA Award for Best New Exhibit.
Portico is proud to have played a key part in this award-winning project. Congratulations to the Minnesota Zoo for top honors in the exhibit design and marketing excellence categories for the Russia’s Grizzly Coast exhibit from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Portico Celebrates the Opening of Philadelphia Zoo’s McNeil Avian Center
The new McNeil Avian Center takes visitors around the world from the African Savanna to a Central American Coffee Plantation, culminating in an object theater exploration of bird migration - the overarching theme of the Center. Incorporating lush walk-through habitats, visitors discover over 100 spectacular birds from around the world, many of them rare and endangered. The Portico-designed exhibits immerse visitors in exotic landscapes full of color and sound.
Alissa Rupp Welcomed as Newest Portico Principal
Alissa Rupp, AIA, LEED AP, has been promoted to Principal of The Portico Group. Having been with the firm for 11 years, Alissa’s recent work includes project oversight for the replacement of the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor, and exhibit design leadership for Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia, WA. Read her bio and meet our other Principals here.
Minnesota Zoo Enjoys Increased Attendance
Due in part to the recent opening of Russia's Grizzly Coast and renovated Central Plaza, the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley has seen attendance increase 16% in the last year. Minnesota Zoo Enjoys Increased Attendance, read more here.
Kent Town Square Plaza Receives Concrete Award
Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association awarded Kent Town Square Plaza, designed by Portico, an Excellence in Concrete Award.
Busch Garden’s Jungala wins THEA Award
Designed by The Portico Group, Jungala features two of the world's most endangered species - tigers and orangutans.
Kent Town Square Plaza Receives Award
The Washington Recreation & Parks Association selected Kent Town Square Plaza as Best Park - Class I.
Washington State University
Washington State University has selected The Portico Group, with Miller|Hull, to develop a master plan for a new 95-acre arboretum and wildlife research center.
Groundbreaking celebrated at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center
Groundbreaking was recently celebrated at the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center at Pearl Harbor. Portico provided comprehensive design services for the replacement facility, designed to achieve LEED® Silver certification.