News - Page 14 of 55

Mayer/Reed Leadership Looks to the Future

Mayer/Reed is marking the next chapter of our interdisciplinary design leadership—honoring a legacy of design excellence and promoting from within.

Kathy Fry, SEGD and Jeramie Shane, ASLA lead the visual communications and landscape architecture groups respectively and continue to work side-by-side to evolve Mayer/Reed’s collaborative approach to forward-thinking design. Together with Shannon Simms, ASLA, who was recently promoted to associate principal and shareholder, they see a future filled with possibilities where the studio’s integrated disciplines thrive through curiosity and cross-pollination.

“We’re designing for an ever-changing world,” says Jeramie, “and we’re cultivating a studio that encourages pressing beyond what we know to what might be revealed through a creative process. Listening, collaboration and making space for tinkering and iteration is a mindset.”

“As we navigate evolving technologies, new social patterns and climate change with our clients, we’re guided by our long-standing core values,” adds Kathy. “We’re talking about enduring, resilient and adaptive design—key for the health and well-being of our communities and environment.”

Founding partner Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA remains focused on client relations, projects and design mentorship. “I’m reflecting on the people who inspired me and encouraged me to find my voice in design. In turn, I’m continuing to express my passion for the profession as a mentor and encouraging women to lead with their strong design sensibilities.”

“Carol has been an inspiration to so many people including me,” notes Shannon. “Her influence is far reaching. I’m honored to be a part of the firm’s ongoing success as a women-owned business.”

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.

AFO Dine & Design at the OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building

On August 18th Mayer/Reed and SRG Partnership (SRG) hosted an Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) Dine & Design event on the Mayer/Reed-designed outdoor terrace of the LEED platinum, state-of-the-art OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building. The AFO series brings people together to experience exceptional designed spaces and raises money to support AFO’s programs, including Architects in Schools.

We had a wonderful evening, gathering for happy hour and dinner in the 6^th floor “intellectual lounge” and its connecting terrace with stunning views of the east from the South Waterfront. A panel discussion hosted by Laurie Canup (SRG) and Mayer/Reed Principal Jeramie Shane included OHSU leadership and researchers who shared how the building design supports their work to cure cancer.

The key to the building’s success is space organization for efficient workflows, but we also heard that there is magic in the social “eddies” where interactions are less linear. “It’s the coffee” and “lunch with a view” that make it happen. Casual yet important interactions on the rooftop terrace and in the kitchen during a coffee break or meal are the moments of cross-pollination which spark meaningful collaboration. This is a universal idea so many of us can relate to. As we all find our way back into our respective offices, these moments of spontaneous connection can bring intangible value. It is a good reminder of the importance of our work to support well-being and serve as a catalyst for things far beyond our imagination.

We are grateful for OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s commitment to cure cancer and for their generosity to share their time and observations. Taking the time to learn from those who inhabit our projects is a gift to the future of design.