COMMUNITY Archives - Mayer Reed

Lighting Up Portland’s Smallest Park

For the 2025 Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF), Mayer/Reed returned to a tiny place that holds a very big spot in our hearts: Mill Ends Park. Inspired by festival’s theme, “A Light for Tomorrow: A Technicolor Future,” we set out to imagine a bright future for this charming patch of green in the middle of Naito Parkway.

Our installation, “Chasing Rainbows,” transformed Mill Ends Park into a glowing beacon of light — a celebration of history, imagination, and a bit of leprechaun mischief. Perched atop the park’s concrete base, the faceted acrylic structure shimmered in technicolor hues, catching the eyes of curious passersby. But the real magic revealed itself when visitors peered into the kaleidoscopic portal. There, hidden in plain sight, sparkled an infinity of gold coins — our playful nod to the legend that started it all.

From start to finish, this project offered valuable takeaways. Knowing we would need to build it ourselves, we were challenged to bridge creativity with in-house constructability. Throughout design and fabrication, the diverse backgrounds and talents of our team shined; we leaned on individuals’ carpentry skills, their backgrounds in architecture and industrial design, and of course tapped into our wealth of knowledge in landscape architecture and experiential graphics. Along the way, we encountered — and solved — plenty of design puzzles and experimented with new tools. It was energizing to step outside the usual workflow and make things with our hands.

The 2025 PDXWLF drew hundreds of thousands of visitors to downtown Portland and across the city. We were thrilled to be part of the magic — sharing our glowing tribute to Mill Ends Park and seeing the joy it sparked. It was a reminder that art, light and a little imagination can brighten even the coldest nights.

City of Possibility

Join us in exploring the past, present and future of Portland. City of Possibility explores the ongoing legacy of Portland’s built environment as seen through architectural models. The model exhibition and related events are happening citywide January 31–March 27, 2025.

We are a proud sponsor and participant of City of Possibility. Look for a Mayer/Reed project on display at the model exhibition at the J.K. Gill Building. Principal Emeritus Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA, is presenting at Portland’s Next Horizon on February 2, and Associate Principal Shannon Simms, ASLA, is speaking at Streets of Possibility on February 24.

Check out the many opportunities to get involved.

Chasing Rainbows

The Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF) returns for its 10th anniversary, lighting up the cold winter nights February 7 – 15, 2025. This year, Mayer/Reed is shedding a light on the World’s Smallest Park with our installation, Chasing Rainbows.

Chasing Rainbows is a celebration of the history of Mill Ends Park and an exploration of its future. In 1946, journalist Dick Fagan gazed out his office window and envisioned a leprechaun colony inhabiting a hole meant for a utility pole – sparking a newspaper column, a Guinness World Record and decades of lore.

We see a future where the end of the rainbow is found, right here at Mill Ends Park. Housed within a technicolor beacon glowing softly in the night, a kaleidoscopic portal reveals an infinite treasure hidden in plain sight. Peer inside for a glimmer of what lies within. Can you see the unseeable?

You’ll find Chasing Rainbows illuminated nightly during PDXWLF 2025 from 6pm-10pm.

Kathy Fry Joins AFO Board of Directors

The Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) has appointed Mayer/Reed Principal Kathy Fry to its board of directors. Known for programs such as Architects in Schools, fellowships and design-related events, AFO educates and inspires Oregonians from all walks of life to engage with design of the built environment.

“I’m thrilled to join the board and collaborate with local professionals in support of the AFO mission,” said Kathy. “This is a crucial time to partner with the community, highlighting the impact of design on our future while recognizing the essential role designers play in the health of our cities and state.”

Kathy is a leader in the field of experiential graphic design. She has served on the board of directors and as president of the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) and currently serves on TriMet’s Public Art Advisory Committee.

Kathy joins five new members on the 30-person board.