Congratulations to Mayer/Reed landscape architect, Laura Hartzell, the newly named President-Elect of ASLA Oregon, the local branch of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Laura will work alongside the current president and executive committee throughout the year, increasing member engagement and implementing ASLA’s Climate Action Plan. She’ll further these ASLA initiatives in the role of president the following year.
Also serving ASLA Oregon, Mayer/Reed landscape designer Taylor Bowden maintains her term on the executive committee as VP of Chapter Services, and principal Jeramie Shane continues to represent ASLA as the landscape architect on the multi-disciplinary AIA/ASLA/APA Portland Urban Design Panel.
We appreciate the time and effort it takes to stay active in the professional community. Thank you to our staff for their dedication to ASLA!
In continuation of our commitment to the future of the landscape architecture and experiential graphic design professions, Mayer/Reed has pledged multi-year support for two new programs. We have joined fellow design firms as founding donors of the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Ignite program and the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) 50th Foundation. These foundations address the imperative for a richer diversity of future designers who are well-prepared for the growing challenges of designing for the built environment.
LAF Ignite supports BIPOC landscape architecture students from acceptance into the program to completion of their landscape architecture degrees. Participants receive annual $10,000 scholarships and paid summer internships as well as mentorship throughout their academic experience.
The SEGD 50th Foundation marks the 50th anniversary of the organization with a recommitment to the future of experience design. It provides resources to educational institutions and emerging professionals and reduces barriers to and within the field through mentorship programs.
As the professions of landscape architecture and experiential graphic design confront increasingly complex social and environmental responsibilities, we are inspired by the undaunted ambition we’ve seen in the upcoming generation of designers. Please join us in contributing to their success.
Lincoln High School held the first official game on their newly opened, state-of-the-art athletic facilities on August 28, ushering in a new era for Portland’s downtown public high school. With construction now complete on the two-phased rebuild, students and staff are celebrating the full use of their modern, reimagined campus. We’re thrilled to see the design come to life. As the project’s landscape architects, Mayer/Reed is cheering right along with the Cardinals!
The campus completion adds sports facilities, a concessions plaza and a teen parent center to complement the mid-rise school building and commons plaza that opened to students last year.
As part of the Bora Architects-led team for both phases and master plan, Mayer/Reed designed the exterior campus spaces to fit desired elements within the confined 11-acre site. While densely programmed, the new campus also provides well-considered open space with heritage trees and flexible lawn. Green spaces extend up onto the academic building and teen parent center as the Portland Public Schools’ first ever ecoroofs.
The athletic fields, designed in conjunction with consultants Atlas and HHPR, use an innovative wood-based fill – instead of the traditional rubber particles – which will keep the playing surfaces noticeably cooler. The running track even meets standards for worldwide qualifying events.
We hope returning students and alumni are delighted as they discover relocated artifacts of the former campus – such as a rose garden honoring LHS Rose Festival queens, a Tom Hardy bird sculpture and sidewalk graffiti of Lincoln alum Matt Groening’s Bart Simpson character. These special touches incorporated throughout the campus connect the new Lincoln High School to its history while it grows into the future.
Anita Seeger is named Associate in recognition of her business development leadership and commitment to the evolution of the firm. As marketing manager for the past decade, Anita has managed some of Mayer/Reed’s largest pursuits while building long-term client relationships and seeking meaningful projects that align with the firm’s values. Through her work, she supports staff in learning to promote the practice and contribute to the design community. “It’s a joy to advocate for excellent design and the inspiring people that make up Mayer/Reed. I look forward to participating in the firm’s continued growth.” Anita has over 20 years of experience in the AEC industry and holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Lewis & Clark College.
Reece Vissia, ASLA joined Mayer/Reed as a landscape designer. With experience supporting all aspects of project delivery, Reece collaborates to design spaces that foster a deeper connection with the natural environment. His current Mayer/Reed projects include the Columbia River Gorge Accessible Viewpoints and the Mt. St. Helens Institute Coldwater Campus Master Plan Update and Phase 1 Design (both in Washington). Reece holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with a minor in construction management from Washington State University.
