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 that many people, especially women, face when embarking on their careers. She concluded with advice to “advocate for yourself so you can advocate for those after you.”
The master plan for Portland’s historic South Park Blocks received an ORPA Planning Award in recognition of outstanding planning practices and processes. We are proud to have been a part of the complex planning process for this beloved downtown green space.
The South Park Blocks Master Plan develops a long-term concept for the park’s physical rehabilitation as well as a tree succession strategy to improve the resilience of the park’s iconic trees. The recommended design respects the park’s historic character while addressing accessibility and equity considerations throughout. On the MIG-led project, Mayer/Reed provided plaza planning and alignment for the Green Loop that weaves additional pedestrian and bicycle capacity along the park.
Mayer/Reed principal and owner, Kathy Fry, has been recognized as a Women of Vision Awards Honoree by the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC). The award honors women who are shaping the built environment in Oregon and Southwest Washington via technical skill, leadership, mentorship, community involvement and promotion of industry diversity. The DJC celebrated the honorees during an October 26th event at Portland’s Sentinel Hotel.
“It’s an honor to be recognized and inspired by the amazing women with whom I share this year’s award,” says Kathy. “These women are shaping the local AE community and creating opportunities for future generations.”
In her role as principal of Mayer/Reed’s visual communications group, Kathy is known for her strong leadership in design, business operations and mentoring. She has been recognized with design awards by the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Clients and design partners value her vision, collaborative approach and her ability to engage larger teams in project development. With a belief in an inclusive and collaborative design process, Kathy builds trust and empathy through thought provoking questions, leading with the “why” before the “what” and “how” of a design solution. She has pushed the studio’s approach to workshops and information gathering to consider inequalities relating to gender, identity, neurodiversity, privilege along with physical ability.
As the second-generation of women ownership, Kathy continues the firm’s legacy by providing opportunity for disadvantaged professionals. She spearheaded Mayer/Reed’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program and led an internal process to review and restructure firm practices to recognize and reduce ingrained bias and establish policies that promote diversity. Along with this, she strives to provide an emotionally genuine and humble example as she makes space for ongoing learning and personal growth within the firm.
Kathy is dedicated to mentoring within the Mayer/Reed studio and with design partners, paying forward the guidance she received early in her career. Outside of the studio she has donated her time to academic mentoring, providing architecture and graphic design students opportunities for advice, critique and studio visits as they prepare for their careers.
Committed to advancing the profession, Kathy is deeply involved in SEGD, serving on the Board of Directors Executive Committee as both vice president and her current role as president.
The American Public Works Association (APWA) Oregon Chapter selected the “Better Naito Forever” project for their 2022 Project of the Year Award in the category of Transportation less than $5 Million. The APWA presented the award on October 20th at their Oregon Chapter Fall Conference in Pendleton.
What started as “Better Naito” – a grassroots, temporary effort to improve Naito Parkway with more space for walking, rolling and riding to Portland’s summer festivals – has grown into a signature multimodal corridor for downtown Portland. Known as “Better Naito Forever,” the project features a permanent cycle track, complete sidewalk, safe and efficient traffic signals and incorporation of the mature Tom McCall Waterfront Park tree canopy. It provides people with an enjoyable active transportation route to move through downtown.
From the moment it opened, Better Naito has proven popular with cyclists and pedestrians as a way to move safely through downtown. We’re honored that the APWA is also a fan of the project.
