Oregon State University’s Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, or PRAx, bustled with activity during a grand opening in early April. Visitors enjoyed art installations, live music and theatrical performances throughout the day-long celebration.
Designed by Holst Architecture with signage by Mayer/Reed, the new campus centerpiece is home to a concert hall, black box theater and art gallery, as well as classrooms, studios and labs. Sophisticated yet understated, the signage system plays with depth, translucence, reflection, sheen and contrast to amplify the drama taking place within the venue.
Mayer/Reed is proud to announce the signing of a new 10-year lease at the Power + Light Building in downtown Portland. Our roots run deep in this city and we are committed to taking an active role in its revitalization.
Since 1977, our firm has been located on the corner of SW 3rd and Washington. In that time, we have seen and experienced a lot of change – but none quite like the last four years. With a changing neighborhood, an expiring lease, and the option to relocate elsewhere, we took a hard look at what we need and value in a location. “Ultimately, we determined downtown is still the place to be,” said Principal Jeramie Shane. “We’ll be near Pioneer Courthouse Square, the heart of the city.”
“The space we selected is on the transit mall – a place we helped design. It has a stop just feet from the front door, giving employees ideal access to bus and light rail,” said Associate Principal Shannon Simms. “The building has high-quality bike and locker rooms, which are key amenities that enable our employees to commute on the city’s bike network.”
Our move to the Power + Light Building this summer will begin a new chapter for Mayer/Reed, but it is also a continuation of our enduring legacy. We believe in a vibrant downtown, and we are doubling down in our commitment. “We have been intentional about investing firm resources in ways that benefit downtown businesses and activity, especially since returning to in-office work in 2021,” said Principal Kathy Fry. “We are encouraged to see other firms doing the same.”
This week the Portland Design Commission presented their annual Design Excellence Award to the hollywoodHUB, TriMet’s transit-oriented housing which is under construction as part of a larger redevelopment of the Hollywood Transit Center.
The residential courtyard at the hollywoodHUB
Design Commission Vice Chair, Chandra Robinson commended the Holst Architecture led team for supporting pedestrian and transit uses and for blending “public and private really well, so it feels really open, active and safe.”
The affordable housing complex integrates with a concurrent public paseo project on TriMet’s site, led by David Evans Associates. As a collaborator on both project teams, Mayer/Reed provided the urban design, landscape architecture and experiential graphic design that will unify the site as a cohesive and vibrant community space.
The public paseo adjacent to the hollywoodHUB
Representatives from TriMet, Bridge Housing and Holst accepted the award on behalf of the team at the Design Commission’s Annual State of the City address to Portland City Council on March 13.
“It is very well conceived,” remarked Mayor Ted Wheeler. “Appreciate it. Do more.”
Managing the event is Mayer/Reed’s Taylor Bowden, landscape designer and vice president of ASLA Oregon chapter services. Taylor has been working with a team of volunteers (including Mayer/Reed’s Laura Hartzell, ASLA president-elect; Michael O’Brien, ASLA; and Reece Vissia, ASLA) to program a day full of motivating, educational and inspiring content for the local design community.
Symbiosis: Better Together takes place online and at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, April 13th. Early-bird registration is open now through March 15th. We hope to see you there!