Mayer/Reed, Inc. is an interdisciplinary Portland, Oregon based design studio providing urban design, landscape architecture, visual communications and experiential graphic design. Our work in creating places for human activity explores the social, cultural, ecological and historic contexts that shape these environments.

We believe that the quality of communal space where people gather, connect and communicate and the accessibility of active transportation options including public transit, bicycle and foot are central to the notion of livable communities.

Places said to have a strong “sense of place” have an identity and character that is deeply felt by the inhabitants and users. Placemaking gives form to these special spaces as an intentional act of design, affecting the human sense of scale and creating social well-being.

“Giving form to outdoor space is not an arbitrary exercise. Some elements require exact size and proportion, while others are shaped more by flow and movement.” – Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA

It may be true that not all who wander are lost, but if you are looking for something, being lost is not much fun. We address wayfinding at multiple scales, considering the connecting spaces and the relationship of landmarks, visual cues, signage and mobile apps. Whether we are designing for an airport, transit system, park, trail network, cultural center, medical center or university campus, our solutions are contextual and integrated.