We asked our Design Partner, Each Other, for a few words about the design process, the inspiration, and their favorite elements. 

Overall Concept

Straightaway’s brand is all about honoring the past while looking to the future: putting a modern-day twist on classic cocktails, all wrapped in an easy-to-enjoy package. With the Portland Airport context in mind, we we paid homage to futurist movements of all eras, and applied PNW sensibilities and materiality, all through a present-day lens.

It’s the Straightaway twist on the mid-century airport bar: taking cues from the past, creating the future, sourcing from our surroundings, while creating a joyful universe.

And Straightaway’s convivial hospitality plays a huge part in the design. We wanted to create a space that feels intimate, a respite during a busy day of travel where folks can relax with a finely crafted cocktail.

Inspiration

In the Golden Age of air travel (1930s-1960s), flying was a thrilling affair. Optimism of this new technology permeated society, with futurist imaginings making their way into popular culture, especially in airport interior design.

We were also inspired by Northwest Regional style—a midcentury architectural philosophy valuing simplicity and a connection to the natural environment. In this tradition, we cladded much of the space in Wavy Wood, a custom milled pattern of infinite waves, by Portland reclaimed wood source, Good Woods.

These two points of inspiration came together in a concept we called Northwest Futurism, ambitious optimism that looks to the stars while staying grounded in beautiful Pacific Northwest nature.

 

Favorite Design Elements

Futurist shapes accent the space: the undulating ceiling, the sliced cloud light fixture, the reclaimed wavy wood walls, the portal-like columns flanking the space, the geometric channels in the banquette upholstery. 

We selected natural materials wherever possible—stone, ceramic, and wood—considering our own future as well as the Port’s standards of material quality. We accented this with chrome details for contrast and that sleek space-age feel.

The color and textural story in the space is a marriage of Straightaway’s brand—full of energy with vibrant pops of yellow and blue—and the palette of our Northwest surroundings—lush and vibrant greens, doug fir, and moss-inspired upholstery. We made sure the colorful products play a part in the material story as well, adding vibrancy to the retail side of the space.