OSU PRAx Opens Its Doors

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.

Posted April 11, 2024
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: EVENTS  PROJECTS 

Register for ASLA Oregon’s Design Symposium

The Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is gearing up for their largest education event of the year: the 2024 ASLA Oregon Design Symposium. This year’s theme, Symbiosis: Better Together, explores the power of collaboration – between fellow designers, the environment and our communities.

ASLA Oregon Design Symposium -  Symbiosis: Better Together 2024

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!

ASLA Oregon Names Taylor Bowden “Outstanding Emerging Professional”

Mayer/Reed landscape designer Taylor Bowden has been named 2023 Outstanding Emerging Professional by the Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The award recognizes an individual early in their career who exceeds expectations and shows promise in making contributions to landscape architecture.

Taylor accepted the award during the annual ASLA Oregon Awards Soiree, stating, “I’ve been blessed with so many encouraging peers and mentors who have supported me thus far.” In her acceptance speech, Taylor acknowledged the challenge of believing in oneself – an obstacle that many people, especially women, face when embarking on their careers. She concluded with advice to “advocate for yourself so you can advocate for those after you.”

Taylor’s current projects include Cleveland High School Modernization, the Portland Street Plaza Program and inclusive and accessible viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge. She serves on the ASLA Oregon Executive Committee as Vice President of Chapter Services.

Posted: Dec 04, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Posted December 04, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: AWARDS  EVENTS 

TriMet Breaks Ground in Hollywood

Construction has begun on the transformative Hollywood Transit Center and hollywoodHUB in Northeast Portland. Government officials and design team members marked the occasion with speeches and a groundbreaking ceremony on October 26th.

The two projects will redevelop the existing transit center into a public paseo and affordable housing. As a collaborator on both teams, Mayer/Reed provided the urban design, landscape architecture and experiential graphic design that will unify the site as a cohesive, active and safe community space.

Mayer/Reed designed a colorful paseo and stair/ramp structure – or “stramp” – as part of the transit center project led by David Evans & Associates. The paseo’s vibrant design draws inspiration from the site’s temporary mural created by Sarah Farahat and includes a tribute space for reflection on the tragic events that occurred on a MAX train in May 2017. More than a pedestrian and bicycle pathway, the paseo will also offer inviting spaces to hang out or hold small events.

An adjacent transit-oriented housing development designed simultaneously, will knit in with the transit center and paseo. Led by Holst Architects and developer BRIDGE Housing, it will provide over 200 affordable housing units, retail space and a courtyard on the TriMet-owned property.

Construction contractors are Raimore Construction (transit center) and O’Neill-Walsh Community Builders (housing). Completion of both projects is slated for 2026.

Posted October 31, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: EVENTS  PROJECTS