For W*129 we took a trip to Entelechy II, John Portman’s Sea Island summer house and arguably the most concrete expression of the architect’s philosophical wrangles. You’ll have to visit page 178 of the new issue for the full story and interview, but on wallpaper.com we’re celebrating what Portman is most renowned for – the creation of the atrium hotel.
From the 1967 Hyatt Regency in his hometown of Atlanta to the Shandong Hotel and People’s Hall in Jinan, China in 2003, Portman has made the soaring atrium his signature stamp. Here we’ve rounded up a comprehensive gallery of our favourites from Portman’s extensive portfolio.
Our research also led us to a timely exhibition celebrating the length and breadth of the architect’s 50-year career, which recently opened at the High Gallery in Atlanta. Showing architectural models and sculptures alongside a series of canvases, previously unseen in public, we thought it only appropriate to include a selection of installation photographs to turn our own gallery into a comprehensive retrospective of Portman’s extraordinary creative output.
John Portman retrospective
General view with model for Entelechy I, 1964 residence in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
General view with model for Entelechy I, 1964 residence in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Abstract of sculpture Beilei (budding flower) by John Portman. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Abstract of sculpture Beilei (budding flower) by John Portman. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
General view with sculpture maquette for Chronos by John Portman in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
General view with sculpture maquette for Chronos by John Portman in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
General view with model for Il Porto Vecchio, 1988 design concept in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
General view with model for Il Porto Vecchio, 1988 design concept in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Abstract view of sculpture Fish Lady in foreground and painting Music in background. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Abstract view of sculpture Fish Lady in foreground and painting Music in background. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
General view with sculpture maquette for Chronos II in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
General view with sculpture maquette for Chronos II in foreground. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Detail of model base of Tomorrow Square, Shanghai, 2003. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Detail of model base of Tomorrow Square, Shanghai, 2003. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Detail of model base of Incheon 151 Tower with Chronos II sculpture shown to scale, Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea, ongoing. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Detail of model base of Incheon 151 Tower with Chronos II sculpture shown to scale, Incheon Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea, ongoing. Photograph by Mike Jensen.
Detail of Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Detail of Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974 with sculpture Eclipse by Charles Perry. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974 with sculpture Eclipse by Charles Perry. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974 with sculpture Eclipse by Charles Perry. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974 with sculpture Eclipse by Charles Perry. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974 with sculpture Eclipse by Charles Perry. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco atrium, 1974 with sculpture Eclipse by Charles Perry. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Renaissance Center, Detroit atrium, 1976 with sculpture Free Fall by Gerhardt Knodel. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Renaissance Center, Detroit atrium, 1976 with sculpture Free Fall by Gerhardt Knodel. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Renaissance Center, Detroit atrium, 1976. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Renaissance Center, Detroit atrium, 1976. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Renaissance Center, Detroit atrium, 1976. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Renaissance Center, Detroit atrium, 1976. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago atrium, 1971. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago atrium, 1971. Photograph by Michael Portman.
The Westib Bonaventure, Los Angeles atrium, 1977. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
The Westib Bonaventure, Los Angeles atrium, 1977. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
The Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles atrium, 1977. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
The Westin Bonaventure, Los Angeles atrium, 1977. Photograph by Alexandre Georges.
AmericasMart 3, Atlanta atrium, 1979 with atrium addition, 1988. Photograph by Michael Portman.
AmericasMart 3, Atlanta atrium, 1979 with atrium addition, 1988. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta atrium, 1985. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta atrium, 1985. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta atrium, 1985 with hanging Atrium Sculpture by Daniel Graffin. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta atrium, 1985 with hanging Atrium Sculpture by Daniel Graffin. Photograph by Michael Portman.
SunTrust Garden Offices, Atlanta atrium, 2000. Photograph by Michael Portman.
SunTrust Garden Offices, Atlanta atrium, 2000. Photograph by Michael Portman.
SunTrust Garden Offices, Atlanta atrium, 2000 with sculpture The Web by John Portman in background. Photograph by Michael Portman.
SunTrust Garden Offices, Atlanta atrium, 2000 with sculpture The Web by John Portman in background. Photograph by Michael Portman.
The Westin Warsaw, Poland glass elevator enclosure, 2003. Photograph by Jamie Ardiles-Arce.
The Westin Warsaw, Poland glass elevator enclosure, 2003. Photograph by Jamie Ardiles-Arce.
Shandong Hotel and People’s Hall, Jinan, China atrium and elevator core, 2003. Photograph courtesy of John Portman & Associates.%A
Shandong Hotel and People’s Hall, Jinan, China atrium and elevator core, 2003. Photograph courtesy of John Portman & Associates.%A
Shandong Hotel and People’s Hall, Jinan, China atrium, 2003. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Shandong Hotel and People’s Hall, Jinan, China atrium, 2003. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Shandong Hotel and People’s Hall, Jinan, China atrium, 2003. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Shandong Hotel and People’s Hall, Jinan, China atrium, 2003. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Regent Singapore, atrium, 1982. Photograph by Jamie Ardiles-Arce.
Regent Singapore, atrium, 1982. Photograph by Jamie Ardiles-Arce.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois atrium, 2006.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois atrium, 2006.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois atrium, 2006.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois atrium, 2006.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois lobby, 2006 with fireplace sculpture Warmth by John Portman.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois lobby, 2006 with fireplace sculpture Warmth by John Portman.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois lobby, 2006 with fireplace sculpture Warmth by John Portman.
Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, Illinois lobby, 2006 with fireplace sculpture Warmth by John Portman.
J.W. Marriott, San Francisco atrium, 1987 with detail of sculpture Joie De Danse by Elbert Weinberg. Photograph by Michael Portman.
J.W. Marriott, San Francisco atrium, 1987 with detail of sculpture Joie De Danse by Elbert Weinberg. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta atrium, 1967 with sculpture Flora Raris by Richard Lippold. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta atrium, 1967 with sculpture Flora Raris by Richard Lippold. Photograph by Michael Portman.
New York Marriott Marquis atrium, 1985. Photograph by Bo Parker.
New York Marriott Marquis atrium, 1985. Photograph by Bo Parker.
Marina Mandarin, Marina Square, Singapore atrium, 1987 with hanging Atrium Sculpture by Richard Lippold. Photograph by Michael Portman.
Marina Mandarin, Marina Square, Singapore atrium, 1987 with hanging Atrium Sculpture by Richard Lippold. Photograph by Michael Portman.