PROJECTS Archives - Mayer Reed

Inclusive Signage Welcomes Community to New Flagship Library

Photo of Multnomah County officials cutting a ceremonial ribbon beneath the concrete "East County Library" sign — Courtesy of Motoya Nakamura / Multnomah County

On May 16, Multnomah County Library celebrated a major milestone — the grand opening of its new flagship location, East County Library in Gresham, Oregon, and their largest library project since 1913. Designed by Holst, the 95,000-square-foot civic building represents a significant investment in community access, learning and cultural inclusion.

Excited officials ceremoniously cut the ribbon and community members eagerly streamed into the building to explore the collections, 200-seat auditorium, maker space, indoor/outdoor children’s play area, teen room, audiovisual studio, sensory rooms and views from the rooftop terrace.

East County Library is one of the final projects in a major bond-funded modernization and expansion of the Multnomah County’s library system. It also marks the final implementation of the Mayer/Reed-designed collection and wayfinding sign standards, creating a cohesive experience across all Multnomah County Library branches.

The system is designed to increase accessibility for the county’s diverse populations through multilingual and icon-based wayfinding. It is the first known library sign system in the nation to accommodate 5 languages and a testament to the county’s “We speak your language” approach to serving the community.

Increasing visibility in the community with boldly branded site identity signs is also core to the standards. Across a range of building styles and configurations, the blue and green library logo is welcomely familiar. In addition to the branded identity, Mayer/Reed collaborated with Holst to deboss the building name permanently into the board-formed concrete building exterior above the entrances at the East County Library, a mass timber design landmark. These words will endure, as will the community impact of the new library.

A New Campus for City of Bend Public Works

Image of the City of Bend Public Works monument sign with the building in the background

City of Bend Public Works Campus opened on May 14, bringing together multiple city services into a centralized campus designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects. Mayer/Reed designed a campus vehicular wayfinding system, building signage and an interpretive display of historic city public work artifacts.

Opening of Central Library Marks the Completion of Deschutes Public Library System Updates

Photo of the staircase and hanging art piece in the interior space of Central Library

On May 11, excited community members lined up for the much-anticipated opening of Central Library, the brand-new flagship facility for the Deschutes Public Library system. Designed by Miller Hull and STEELE Associates Architects, the library implements bilingual sign standards developed by Mayer/Reed. Home to more than the book collections, the impressive new building offers creative and co-working spaces, a teen room, children’s space designed by Plus And Greater Than, maker space and coffee shop.

PCC Health Technology Building West Expansion Complete

On May 5 in Portland, Portland Community College marked the completion of the Health Technology Building West at the Sylvania Campus. Delivered through a design-build collaboration between Woofter Bolch Architecture, Fortis Construction and MIXdesign, the facility expands hands-on healthcare training opportunities for students across the region. Mayer/Reed implemented and expanded existing sign standards to support clear navigation, including within the facility’s new all-user locker rooms.