| Statement of Significance
Constructed in 1914, the Metropolitan Learning Center building was originally designated the Couch School. Couch School was part of a dramatic building program begun by Portland Public Schools in the early 1900s. Gradually influenced by John Dewey’s Progressive Education Movement, the district responded to changing city demographics and ideas concerning school safety, sanitation, and child centered instructional methods beginning in the first decade of the 1900s (Rippa, 1997: passim; Cremin 1961: 135-153; Cubberley 1915: 283-290). By 1905, it became increasingly clear that dramatic increases in school-age children outstripped the district’s existing classroom capacity and existing schools could not effectively serve areas of the city with new residential development (Cubberley 1915: 283-285, 288-290).
After several well-publicized school fires elsewhere in the United States, calls for a more fundamental change in the building stock of the district began as early as 1906 when Mayor Lane called for the construction of new “fireproof” school buildings (Oregonian, 10-31-1906). In 1910, various city neighborhood “advancement clubs” joined forces to discuss the unfit school buildings in their respective neighborhoods (Oregonian 07-31-1910). Soon after this meeting, on August 16, 1910, the Portland City Council enacted a requirement that all schools constructed after January 1, 1911 would have to be of fire proof construction (Powers and Corning 1937: 183).By 1914, in the first joint meeting between Portland city officials, Multnomah County Commissioners, and the school board, officials agreed to work with building code officials to encourage the use of fireproof construction and to implement fire safety measures in all existing and future schools (Oregonian, 03-31-1914).
In 1908, Portland Public Schools created the Bureau of Properties in an effort to centralize the management of the district’s various properties (Powers and Corning 1937: 182). Within this office, the District architect took on a more formalized role in the design and maintenance of school facilities. Two of the most influential district architects during this period included Floyd Naramore and George Jones who designed a majority of the schools from 1908 to 1932.
The two story brick Couch school building was an early example of the new “fireproof” buildings. To speed the construction of the new schools and to anticipate later growth in the neighborhood, these new buildings were often constructed in units sometimes referred to as extensible schools (Powers and Corning 1937: 182). Couch School, along with Shattuck School, was designed so a third story might be added as enrollment grew (Oregonian 03-08-1914). The buildings also contained more differentiated and increasingly specialized instructional spaces such as libraries, gymnasiums, science rooms, music rooms, and assembly spaces (Powers and Corning 1937: 182). At the request of the School Board Director, the Couch School also included a swimming pool. Two of its classrooms were constructed in a way so they could be adapted for use as open-air rooms (Oregonian. 03-08-1914).
The architect of Couch School, Floyd Archibald Naramore, was adept in the requirements of school design from his tenure as architect and superintendent of school properties for Portland Public Schools. A native of Illinois, Naramore attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1907. Naramore’s first employment after his arrival in Portland in 1909 was as an engineer for the Northwest Bridge Works. In 1912, Naramore began his tenure at Portland Public School which continued until 1919. During this period, Naramore designed 16 schools for the district including the Kennedy School, which gained notoriety as a single story response to the issue of fire safety in American public schools (Evening Telegram 11-03-1915).
Naramore’s success with Portland Public Schools led to a similar position in Seattle, where he designed many of the city’s most renowned schools. Architect Victor Steinbrueck credits Naramore for producing the best quality Motor Age architecture in the Puget Sound area (Vaughan and Feriday; Space Style and Structure, 1974: 508). Naramore subsequently founded several private architectural partnerships in the Seattle area. The best known firm, Naramore, Bain, Brady & Johansen (or NBB&J) had early success designing large World War II building projects. In the last half century, the firm grew into one of the largest architectural practices in the world (Ritz 2003: 293).
The Tudor Revival details employed by Naramore were appropriate to its architectural setting. Like the Classical Revival, Colonial Revival, and Collegiate Gothic styles utilized on other school buildings throughout Portland, the style was viewed as inspirational and appropriate for educational settings (Betelle 1919: 28; Sibley 1923: 66; Patton 1967: 1-8).
Designed to be expanded overtime, the Metropolitan Learning Center/ Couch School has evolved following the plan developed by Naramore. The school property was acquired for $142,083 in 1913 and the original building was constructed in 1914 for $177,391 (PPS School Chronology Binder). The school expanded in 1926 to include a gymnasium. During the late 1950s several of the interior spaces including the kindergarten, cafeteria, and swimming pool were remodeled. One of the most significant modifications to the exterior was the replacement of most of the original wood frame windows in 1986. A year later the auditorium was significantly altered with the removal of its original chairs, ceiling, and wall lights. Other alterations during the late 1980s included renovations to the library, replacement of floor tiles, and remodels to the science room and office (MLC Facility Plan, Facility Profile).
The Metropolitan Learning Center/ Couch Elementary School retains its integrity with moderate alterations to its plan and exterior and interior finishes. The 1914 Tudor Revival style school is recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for its association with progressive era public school construction in Portland (Criterion A). The school was built during the PPS program of progressive era construction and is a strong example of the principles that characterized the design of schools during this era; therefore, it is eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion A. It is a good example of the two-story style school buildings that were constructed during the early-twentieth century. The building exhibits characteristics of the Tudor Revival style as applied by Naramore to school buildings in Portland; therefore, it is also eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion C. The building is listed as a contributing resource in the Alphabet National Register Historic District. |
