There are two ways to explain what ADX intends to be.
First, there’s a slightly complex one, from co-founder Eric Black:
“The perfect design office would be a shop with a number of different types of projects going on at once. Maybe there’s a motorcycle being developed, and some furniture, and a building, and some urban design. It’s multiple scales and timelines in this magical space and a very collaborative environment. You could design something and potentially produce it that day, then get instant feedback.”
Now for a slightly simpler way, from his business partner, Kelley Roy: “It’s like a gym for designers. Instead of a weight room and a cardio room and trainers, we have a wood shop and a metal shop and a team of experts.”
Even that doesn’t get to the scope of plans being hatched in a 12,000-square-foot commercial space at 417 SE 11th, at the corner of Southeast Stark. Roy and Black say they aim to fulfill a basic desire for collaboration and shop access for everyone from hobbyists to serious professionals, while also providing an event space and perhaps even some micro-retail.
Let’s take an example of who might benefit from ADX. Say you have in your head the image of a coffee table you’d like to make. You’re not a designer or a computer person, and wouldn’t know a wood plane from a wood duck. With a membership in ADX, you’ll have access to a team of designers called “The Gang of Ten” who will, at a discount on their usual rates, help take your design concept through the prototyping process and all the way to production. Along the way, you’ll not only build your table but also have a chance to learn about design, software, and even wood and metal tools.
“So that table’s been in this guy’s head for years, and now here it is sitting in front of him,” says Black. “They get the feedback they’re looking for, and the chance to tweak the design. Then the question is ‘Okay, did you just want to make this one, or do you want to take it to market?’ And if that’s the case, then we would have the resources to look at programming, manufacturing, marketing and beyond.”
At the core of ADX is the “Gang of Ten” designers. Roy says they will be freelancers with their own clients, but collectively possessing expertise in different design fields. They would collaborate on projects, create new business opportunities for each other, and be available to ADX members at discounted rates.
“These are folks who are probably now working in their garages or at a company and want to go on their own,” Roy says. “ADX is about sharing and collaboration, two necessities in our new economy.” She even envisions the possibility of an ADX brand.
They both talk in larger terms about how ADX fits into a new, more artisanal, skills-based economy. In fact, the building they’re leasing is a symbol of that.
“This building is from the late '50s, and it was built to serve economy of then, which was manufacturing,” Black says. “As soon as we saw it, we fell in love with the possibilities it offers. This is a perfect diagram of where I’d hope our economy is headed, which is people having the ability to come together and do their thing but also do it in a much smarter and more efficient way by sharing tools and resources.”
“We’ve been in the Central Eastside neighborhood for over four years,” Roy says. “and we really want to invest in the neighborhood, which is changing from old-school manufacturing to art, design, galleries, and more interactive uses. We want to be a permanent fixture here.
“Portland is such a collaborative place, and people love doing things together. There aren’t any big industries moving in, and people kind of have to take control over what they’re doing.”
Roy and Black hope to open ADX in May and are planning a series of open-house events starting in February to roll out the idea. Membership options start with a basic plan at $25 a month, offering access to the facility and the “Gang of Ten,” plus discounts on various classes and services. At the upper end is a $600 travel trailer as art studio. Coworking desks, that can also include varied levels of access to the production equipment and other facilities, go for around $300 a month. Discount memberships are available before opening.
Photo: Heather Zinger.
“I know there are a lot of people looking for this kind of opportunity” Black says. “I know professionals who will take a class just to get to the tools. There’s also a market for a hobbyist who’s tired of looking at a computer and wants to go make this thing in his head. There has to be a way for this space to lift people up a little bit. We can all sort of be on the same page and try to make some good things happen.”
To find out more about ADX or to get in touch, see facebook.com/ArtDesignPDX or call 503.915.4342 to sign up for a tour.
ADX
417 SE 11th Avenue
Portland OR 97214
Love this idea! Everything (and everyone) you need to create, manufacture and sell goods under one roof. Can't wait to see the first collaborative project. Thanks for the great article, Paul.
This is a great concept and so relevant to our emerging artisan economy. Your design is a bit different than other models in that you have established a working group of participants but also encourage outside membership. Seems like an innovative turn, stability and flexibility. One surprise, I thought your original plan was to include an event space but things must have changed.
ADX seems to be getting right everything TechShop did wrong. Their rates are terrestrial, they're centrally-located, and they're urban-maker focused instead of pandering to people who could buy a CNC lathe/mill for their garage if they cared that much. Excellently well done.
Thanks so much for the kind words! We're so excited to be a part of the community. As creative makers and thinkers ourselves, we'll be especially in tune to the needs of Portland.
Charles, we are still including an event component to our space, though it's definitely not an everyday feature. We'll host monthly exhibits and installations in the space that feature the work of our artists and makers, bring in national or international talent, or promote a compelling organization or project. We want to offer consistent hours to those working in the shop spaces, so these events will be scheduled consistently each month to reduce disruption to our members' schedules.
Again, we appreciate your enthusiasm so much! Feel free to subscribe to our mailing list via our landing page http://adxportland.com (complete website is coming soon!) to stay up to date on our news and receive invitations to our open house events taking place in the next two months!
Oops! Hopefully my comment still posts, though I realize I included a link to our website, which may be a no-no.
I wanted to thank you all for your enthusiasm toward our new endeavor. We couldn't be more excited to open and feel that as makers and creative thinkers ourselves, that we'll be especially receptive and in tune with the needs of the community.
Charles, we will still include an event space, though this is definitely not a focus. Monthly exhibits will be held to feature work created by members in our shop spaces, highlight special projects by emerging national or international artists/creatives, or celebrate local organizations or projects worth special attention. Our first priority is to offer consistent hours to members, so these events will likely be scheduled and held at the same time/on the same day of each month.
Thank you again for your support and excitement. Please be sure to visit our landing page to sign up for our e-newsletter, which includes updates on our progress and invitations to our upcoming open house events.
This is the benefit of a conversation/site moderated by humans. :)
Thanks for the info on the event space and the opportunity to connect via your e-newsletter. We're really excited to see ADX develop, and we're looking forward to the upcoming open house events.