Biwa Restaurant sought to improve its exterior presence through the Portland Development Commission Storefront Improvement Program. The project is designed to add to the pedestrian quality of the urban streetscape in this mixed-use industrial and commercial district, and to provide for extended seasonal outdoor seating and an awning to the main entry door. An adjacent bike parking corral was installed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

 

The double-cantilevered awning extends along the north façade of the restaurant exterior and is fabricated from stock steel sections that were welded and finished off-site. Three lengths were then brought to the site to be joined and bolted to the 1928-era concrete wall. The saffron color of the boat canvas covering was selected to reflect warm light into the restaurant interior and to stand out from the gritty street.