PROJECTS Archives - Page 7 of 28

Grant High School Honored with ASLA Award

Mayer/Reed’s Grant High School Modernization received an Honor Award in the general design category at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Oregon 2022 Design Awards soirée on October 7th. Landscape architects and students from around Oregon gathered for the first time in two years to celebrate outstanding works of landscape architecture and environmental planning in our state.

The modernization of Grant High School’s building, led by Mahlum Architects, coupled with our site design work on the 10.2-acre campus, demonstrates how bold spatial solutions can create community, overcome social disadvantage, achieve sustainability and enable equal access to learning environments. Beyond the physical modernization of an aging historic landmark building, our team achieved goals set by Portland Public Schools for engagement, equity and inclusion in the community-based planning and design process.

Jurors appreciated the close working relationship of landscape and architecture in creating new physical, ecological and social connections that replace the former maze of unsafe, inaccessible and unused outdoor spaces. One juror noted: “…A clear collaborative effort between the architect and landscape architect where the courtyards highlight the landscape architect’s contribution, nicely developed spaces for students to thrive. Visual clarity on the site is a great improvement to the campus.”

We at Mayer/Reed, along with the entire Grant High School team, are honored to have been a part of improving this significant community asset that has set up a legacy for future generations to enjoy.

There’s a New Bus in Town

Have you seen the new “bendy” green buses? It’s FX2-Division, TriMet’s new high-capacity bus route along Division Street connecting Southeast Portland and Gresham. With 60% more seats than a typical bus, boarding through 3 doors and dedicated lanes in some areas, it’s sure to keep passengers moving.

Over the weekend a fun-filled grand opening event kicked off the new line at three festival sites along the route: Gresham Farmer’s Market, PCC Festival Marketplace and OMSI Station. The community came together to celebrate the completion which is a milestone for TriMet in their commitment to reducing carbon emissions, providing more equitable transportation and reducing traffic congestion.

Mayer/Reed’s visual communications team is thrilled to have worked with TriMet and the project team to distinguish FX from other TriMet services with a custom-designed station pylon and a branded shelter and windscreen pattern. Take a ride to discover the new stations, including four stops with unique shelter graphics celebrating key neighborhoods. The stations are striking with their signature green, but safety and accessibility are top priorities. We designed the windscreen graphics to maintain clear views and worked with the project team and community stakeholders on platform markings and tactile elements to help cyclists and pedestrians of all abilities to safely navigate the new station layouts.

Congrats to TriMet and project team collaborators – WSP, PIVOT, DKS Associates, MZLA, Raimore Construction, and Landscape Forms. To plan your first ride, visit trimet.org.

Groundbreaking Celebrated for PPS Multiple Pathways to Graduation Building

Portland Public Schools recently kicked off construction for the new Multiple Pathways to Graduation (MPG) Building with a groundbreaking ceremony in the Benson Polytechnic High School parking lot – the soon-to-be location of the new, 85,000 SF multi-story building. Part of the extensive Benson Polytechnic High School Modernization project, the new building will create a permanent home for MPG programs such as Alliance at Benson and Meek, DART/Clinton, Teen Parent Childcare, Teen Parent Services and Reconnection Services and Center.

Led by Bassetti Architects with landscape architecture by Mayer/Reed, the building and site design incorporate trauma-informed best practices to create a safe and inclusive environment that supports the diverse and specific needs of MPG programs and students. Officially underway with Andersen Construction, the project is expected to be complete in Fall 2024.

Team Selected for New Clackamas County Courthouse

We are proud to announce Mayer/Reed is on the team selected for the Clackamas County Courthouse replacement project following a year-long competitive procurement process. With Fengate PCL Progress Partners (FP3), we will be designing signage and wayfinding for the brand new facility in Oregon City. The current courthouse is in urgent need of replacement to meet the needs of the county (it was built in 1936 for a population of 50,000 and now serves a community of 420,000). We’re excited to be part of the team!