In downtown Portland’s Moda Tower, the renovation of a compact, outdated lobby became an opportunity to reimagine the public experience of art and architecture. At its core, the project was about designing a space that could hold—and elevate—a new site-specific installation by Portland-based artist Joe Thurston. The result is a mass-timber curtain wall and lobby transformation that is as much a part of the artwork as the piece itself. Working closely with our client, Unico, and Thurston, we envisioned a lobby that would bring his concept to life: a springlike forest canopy—branches stretching skyward, glass leaves catching the light—suspended 30 feet overhead. Achieving this meant more than just creating a clean backdrop; it required a complete rethinking of the space. We expanded the lobby, removed visual obstructions, and replaced dark, dated materials with a lighter, more contemporary palette. The new white ceiling and walls provide a luminous contrast to the natural wood of the mass-timber curtain wall, which acts as both structural frame and visual anchor. Light was our most essential material. We carefully calibrated glazing, apertures, and finishes to shape how light would reflect, refract, and move through the space—mirroring the experience of walking through a forest on a clear spring day. Bright flooring replaced the dark green granite, casting reflected light upward onto a softly curving drum wall. White-painted ceiling posts disappear into the background, allowing Thurston’s hanging glass leaves to remain the focal point, animated by shifting shadows and color throughout the day. From outside, the renovated lobby now presents itself as a vibrant public threshold. Warm wood, natural light, and glimmering glass invite passersby to look inside. From within, the space encourages a moment of pause—a chance to look up and take in something unexpected. In a time when public togetherness was being redefined, this project sought to create an experience of shared wonder, rooted in nature and light. If even a few people stop, reflect, or simply lift their eyes toward the canopy above, the renovation has done its job.