Mayer/Reed, Author at Mayer Reed

Willamette Falls Riverwalk Concept Receives National Accolades

We’re proud to announce two national design awards for the Willamette Falls Riverwalk; one from from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the other from The Waterfront Center.

The riverwalk received an Honor Award in Analysis & Planning at the recent national ASLA Awards event in Philadelphia, PA. The jury commented, “Here we see the combining of public access, habitat, historic and cultural interpretation, and economic development in a project that’s very tangible in terms of its potential to being implemented.”

The Waterfront Center celebrated the Willamette Falls Riverwalk Master Plan with the Top Honor for plans at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC this fall. Their Excellence on the Waterfront Awards program recognizes exceptional waterfront planning, design and development from around the world. The riverwalk concept also won local ASLA chapter design awards in New York this year and in Oregon in 2017.

The Riverwalk’s explorer trails will encircle the post-industrial clarifier, while offering public access and excellent views of the falls. The clarifier will be repurposed to feature an oak savanna that replicates the character of the landscape found in the surrounding basalt bluffs. Rendering by Snøhetta.

Snøhetta, Mayer/Reed and DIALOG’S 3.5 year-long effort on the riverwalk has culminated in a well-supported concept that has been embraced by the project partners and the community. The team’s design for public spaces at the former waterfront mill site encompasses a network of promenades and lofted pathways that lace programmable gathering places, viewpoints and three-dimensional physical strata. The first phase of the riverwalk is expected to break ground in 2020.

Video Inspires Support for a World Class Trekking Loop in the Columbia River Gorge

The Friends of the Columbia Gorge have big plans in the works for Oregon and Washington’s famed recreation destination. A 200-mile trail system connecting small towns, farms, wineries and wild areas will open opportunities for multi-day adventures, create contiguous areas of protected lands and support Gorge economies by connecting trails to communities. With nearly 80% of the land for the “Towns to Trails” loop secured and 40% of the trails in place, the plan for this new adventuring idea is moving closer to reality.

Mayer/Reed developed a video for Friends of the Columbia Gorge to share this vision. It quickly received recognition; inspiring KGW’s travel segment, Grant’s Getaways, and Willamette Week to feature the Towns to Trails project.

A Landmark Year: Celebrating 30/40

2017 marks two anniversaries in the evolution of our interdisciplinary design studio. Forty years ago, Michael Reed, established Mayer/Reed focusing on the intersection of product design and visual communications. Ten years later, Carol Mayer-Reed joined the practice to form a larger multi-disciplinary partnership that includes landscape architecture and urban design. With the more recent addition of Kathy Fry and Jeramie Shane as principals, the practice continues to expand and evolve and is now a studio of 26 diversely talented professionals.

Throughout our 30/40 landmark year, we are exploring the nature of community and place through reflections, observations, and images of Mayer/Reed’s work culminating in a “Beyond Opening Day” photo exhibit. The November exhibit will explore the story of place and identity as seen through the lens of users. As designers, we are interested in learning how our projects have taken on a life of their own.

Photos by @stegosaurus, @da_snipa, @julierosedesign and @portlandchildrensmuseum.

What are your experiences in the places that Mayer/Reed has designed? Have you captured special moments or a remarkable shaft of light?

ASLA Elevates Teresa Chenney to the Council of Fellows

The American Society of Landscape Architects has elevated Teresa Chenney to the ASLA Council of Fellows in recognition of exceptional accomplishments over her thirty-year career. Fellowship is among the highest honors the ASLA bestows on its members.An Associate and senior designer at Mayer/Reed, Teresa is being recognized in the Works category for a body of award-winning projects that have contributed to the Pacific Northwest’s reputation for outstanding public spaces, sustainable practices and urban design. Teresa’s significant projects include the Nike World Headquarters North Campus Expansion, Phase II of the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, Simon and Helen Director Park and the Rain Garden at the Oregon Convention Center.

“Chenney’s innovative, sustainable public spaces and urban designs display a seamless synthesis of art and science that interweave the social, aesthetic and practical.”
ASLA

Teresa’s many volunteer activities are consistent with her ideals and commitment to public good and environmental stewardship. She is a selfless advocate for the very best design, and is highly respected for her outstanding contributions.

“Her work has been consistent in its environmental savvy and physical beauty. She’s generous with her time and knowledge… an inspiration to all who know her.”
Laurie Olin, OLIN

Teresa’s professional life has included work in major firms in San Francisco, New York and Portland. She joined Mayer/Reed in 1997 to design the Nike World Headquarters North Campus Expansion project.

The 2017 class of 23 new Fellows will be recognized at the ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo, October 20–23, in Los Angeles.