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 pl ..read more

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. 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, ASL ..read more

On December 23rd, Portland Parks & Recreation will reopen Errol Heights Park to the public following a major project designed by Mayer/Reed. Bundle up and explore the new amenities, which include a vibrant play area, an intriguing sculpture crafted by artists Terresa White and Mike Suri and an ADA-accessible elevated pathway connecting the upper park with trails in the lower restored natural area. Stay tuned for a formal grand opening celebration in the spring.  The post A Reimagined Errol Heights Park Opens appeared first on Mayer Reed ..read more

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 ..read more

During November we celebrated the legacy of our firm by revisiting pivotal projects through the eyes of founders Michael Reed, FSEGD and Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA. Their passion for design and equitable public spaces has shaped communities and defined the design studio of Mayer/Reed. Throughout the year leading up to our Founders Month, we unearthed archived drawings and sketches from significant projects of the last four decades. We marveled at the work, along with the reminder that although tools and technology have changed, the core of good design remains. Earlier this year, Carol and Michae ..read more

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 structu ..read more

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 stu ..read more

On October 10th, the Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) hosted its 30th annual Honored Citizen event in recognition of 2023 honoree, Hermann Colas Jr. Mr. Colas established Colas Construction in 1997 and the family-run business has gone on to record-breaking achievements such as leading the $39 million Oregon Convention Center renovation, the largest contract of any BIPOC contracting firm in the state. The spectacular and heartfelt evening at the Oregon Convention Center featured stage and tablescape design contributed by Mayer/Reed. Inspired by Colas’ Haitian heritage, we crafted lush f ..read more

Residents, school children and City of Portland representatives gathered for the Mill Park development construction kick-off party. The new 6.2-acre park, designed by Mayer/Reed, is being built in Southeast Portland’s Mill Park neighborhood, adjacent to an elementary school of the same name. The September 28th family-friendly event brought out an enthusiastic crowd of young and old who helped dig groundbreaking shovelfuls alongside Parks Director Adena Long, Commissioner Dan Ryan and representatives from the Division Midway Alliance, Mill Park Elementary School and Mill Park Neighborhood Assoc ..read more

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 bu ..read more