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.

Posted September 19, 2022
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: EVENTS  PROJECTS 

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.

Posted September 13, 2022
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: EVENTS  PROJECTS 

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 6th 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.

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!