LHS Cardinals Flock Back to a Redesigned Urban Campus

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.

Posted September 06, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: IN THE STUDIO 

A New Waterfall View at Oregon’s Largest State Park 

Famed for its 10 spectacular waterfalls and network of hiking trails within densely wooded canyons, Silver Falls State Park, southeast of Salem, recently opened a new day use area and falls viewpoint. 

As part of the first phase of Oregon Parks & Recreation Department’s (OPRD) major improvements to celebrate the centennial of Oregon’s largest state park, Mayer/Reed designed a new accessible viewpoint and North Canyon Day Use Area, with a trailhead, picnic area and parking. Now visitors can experience a dramatic view of the 136-foot North Falls with just a short, accessible walk (or roll) into the park. 

Universal accessibility is at the forefront of the design for the viewpoint and 0.6-mile OPRD-designed trail. “It’s like threading a needle,” said landscape architect and project manager, Anne Samuel. “With limited space working on a ridgeline, careful consideration goes into protecting natural resources, creating a high-quality aesthetic and ultimately making it welcoming to people with a variety of physical abilities.”

Mayer/Reed worked with OPRD on these visitor improvements based on our earlier master plan for the north end of the park and collaborated with KPFF to fit the day use area into the forested surroundings. The revegetation strategy includes a few trial species which OPRD will monitor for resiliency toward climate change.  

More improvements are in the works for this corner of the state park. Mayer/Reed is working with KPFF on the new North Gateway District just across the highway from the North Canyon Day Use Area. We’re beginning design for a new campground with an estimated 50 campsites to expand your Silver Falls camping options which is set to open in 2025. 

Posted: Sep 06, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Posted September 06, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: PROJECTS 

Mayer/Reed Promotes Anita Seeger, Hires Reece Vissia 

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.

Posted August 21, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: IN THE STUDIO 

Opportunity: Senior Landscape Architect

Are you a senior landscape architect committed to sustainability, livability and social responsibility who thrives in a collaborative setting? We have an opportunity for an experienced professional to oversee and manage projects from conceptual design through construction documentation in our downtown Portland studio. Check out the position posting – we’d like to hear from you!

Posted August 20, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: IN THE STUDIO