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.

 

“Throughout the arc of economic cycles, design must remain responsive to the complexities of project needs, while maintaining aesthetic and sustainable aspirations”  – Michael Reed

Environmental stewardship and conservation are core values of our practice from our choices of materials to the design of artful stormwater in bioswales and green roofs. We work to integrate systems and find solutions that yield multiple benefits. Beyond the metrics of LEED, we examine potentials for social sustainability of our communities. Sustainable design is an inherent value in the practices of this region and integral to our approach.

 

Landscape Architecture Awards

Grant High School Modernization
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Honor Award, General Design, 2022

The Green Loop
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Honor Award, Analysis & Planning, 2019

Kinetic Delight
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Community Service, Honor Award, 2019

Elks Children’s Eye Clinic
Design Excellence Award, Portland Design Commission, 2019

Karl Miller Center, Portland State University
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Honor Award, General Design, 2018

Roosevelt High School Modernization
Restore Oregon, Demuro Award for Excellence in Preservation, Reuse and Community Revitalization, 2018

Willamette Falls Riverwalk Concept Design
American Society of Landscape Architects, Honor Award, Analysis & Planning, 2018
The Waterfront Center, Excellence on the Waterfront, Top Honor Plan, 2018
American Society of Landscape Architects, New York Chapter, Honor Award, General Landscape Architecture Design, 2018
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Honor Award, Planning & Analysis, 2017

SE 150th & Division Park Master Plan Community Engagement
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Honor Award, Communication, 2017

Old Mill District
The Waterfront Center, Excellence on the Waterfront, Honor Award, 2017

Outstanding Firm Award
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, 2016

East Segment, TriMet MAX Orange Line
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Award of Excellence, 2015
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, People’s Choice Award, 2015

Outdoor Adventure at the Portland Children’s Museum
The Intertwine Alliance, Force of Nature Award, Outstanding Project,  2014
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Merit Award, General Design, 2014

Bud Clark Commons
American Society of Landscape Architects, National Honor Award, Residential Design, 2013
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Award of Excellence, 2012

Darlene Hooley Pedestrian Bridge
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Merit Award, Transportation, 2013

Simon and Helen Director Park
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Merit Award, 2012

Mirabella Portland
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Merit Award, 2012
Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce Top Projects, First Place Private Buildings more than $50 million, 2011

TriMet, Portland Transit Mall
American Society of Landscape Architects Award of Excellence, 2011

Port of Portland Headquarters and Long-Term Parking Garage
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2011
Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce Top Projects, Best in Show and First Place Public Buildings more than $50 million, 2011

PDXplore Whose Island Is It?
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2010

Willamette National Cemetery East Expansion
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Merit Award, 2010

Oregon Chapter President’s Award to Carol Mayer-Reed for Outstanding Service to ASLA Oregon Chapter
American Society of Landscape Architects, 2010

The Rain Garden, Oregon Convention Center Expansion
American Society of Landscape Architects, Washington Chapter Award of Merit, 2008
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2004
Portland Design Festival Bronze Award, 2004
City of Portland, Best Water Conservation Award, 2003

Villebois Development
Urban Land Institute of Oregon & Southwest Washington, Recognizing Excellence Award, 2007

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade
Urban Land Institute of Oregon & Southwest Washington, Recognizing Excellence Award, 2007
American Society of Landscape Architects, National Merit Award, 2004
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Award of Excellence, 2004
Portland Design Festival Gold Award, 2004
The Waterfront Center, Excellence on the Waterfront Honor Award, 2001
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2000

Taft 51st Street Streetscape Project
Oregon Downtown Development Association, Streetscape Renaissance Award, 2003

The Amazing Water Garden, Oregon Garden
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2002

Nike World Headquarters North Campus Expansion
American Society of Landscape Architects, National Merit Award, 2001

Washington State University Vancouver Phase I
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter People’s Choice Award, 1996

Tropical Africa Rainforest Exhibit, Oregon Zoo
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter People’s Choice Award, 1992

Mt. Hood Community Re-Entry Program
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 1988

Sellwood Riverfront Park
The Waterfront Center, Excellence on the Waterfront Honor Award, 1987

Visual Communications Awards

Revolution in the Landscape: Re-experience Halprin’s Fountains
SEGD Global Design Awards, Merit Award, Public Installation, 2016
(Awarded to SEGD Portland Chapter; Mayer/Reed, Portland State University Graphic Design Department, Sticky Co, PNCA Animation Arts)

Revolution in the Landscape: Re-experience Halprin’s Fountains (Awarded to SEGD Portland Chapter)
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter, Merit Award, Research & Communication, 2014

Vancouver Community Library
SEGD Global Design Awards, Merit Award, Wayfinding, 2014

Bud Clark Commons
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Award of Excellence, 2012

EWEB Roosevelt Operations Center
Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce Top Projects, Third Place Public Buildings more than $50 million, 2011

TriMet, Portland Transit Mall
American Society of Landscape Architects Award of Excellence, 2011

Port of Portland Headquarters and Long-Term Parking Garage
American Society of Landscape Architects, Oregon Chapter Honor Award, 2011

Port of Portland Headquarters and Long-Term Parking Garage
Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce Top Projects, Best in Show and First Place Public Buildings more than $50 million, 2011

Wayne Morse United States Courthouse Signage
U.S. General Services Administration, Design Excellence Award, 2008

Springfield Station Rain Funnel
American Institute of Architects, Oregon Chapter, Innovation Award, 2005

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Donor Recognition ‘Fire Lodge’ Sculpture
Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Merit Award, 2003

San Francisco International Airport Signage
Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Honor Award, 2003

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade Urban Markers
Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Merit Award, 2002

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade Interpretive Program
American Society of Landscape Architects, National Merit Award, 2002

Mark Hatfield United States Courthouse Signage
U.S. General Services Administration, Excellence in Design Honor Award, 1998

Catlin Gabel School Donor Recognition Display
HOW International Design Annual, Merit Award, 1997

Pacific Lutheran University Mary Baker Russell Music Center Signage
Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Merit Award, 1995

Portland State University Art Department Brochure
HOW International Annual of Design, Merit Award, 1995

Table, Lamp + Chair Poster
HOW International Annual of Design, Merit Award, 1995

ASLA Regional Conference Promotional Materials
ASLA, Excellence in Communications and Marketing, 1995

Columbus Convention Center Signage
Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Merit Award, 1994

Table, Lamp + Chair Poster
AIGA Portland Chapter, Award of Excellence, 1993

Oregon Convention Center Signage
Society for Environmental Graphic Design, Merit Award, 1993

Table, Lamp + Chair Promotional Materials
PRINT Computer Art & Design AnnuaI, Merit Award, 1992

Northern Olympic Peninsula Visitor Guide
Washington State Tourism Division Award, 1986

Bud Clark Commons
A Landscape for You, Catalogue of the VIII Biennial Exhibition of Landscape Architecture of Barcelona, 2016

“All Along the Line: Portland Landscape Architects Build Community…and a New Light Rail Line” MAX Orange Line
Landscape Architecture Magazine, May 2016

“Go Wild, Oregon Child” Outdoor Adventure at the Portland Children’s Museum
Landscape Architecture Magazine, March 2015

Mirabella Portland
World Landscape Case Studies: Roof Garden Landscape, Hi-Design Publishing, 2014

“Open Book” Vancouver Community Library
eg magazine, November 11, 2014

“Sheltering Words” Bud Clark Commons
eg magazine, November 7, 2013

The Rain Garden at the Oregon Convention Center; Mirabella, South Waterfront District; and The Children’s Garden at Oregon Garden
Landscape Architecture, ‘A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design’, 5th Edition, by Barry W. Starke & John Ormsbee Simonds, McGraw Hill, 2013

Nike World Headquarters; Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade; Port of Portland Headquarters; and The Rain Garden at the Oregon Convention Center
ELA, Environment and Landscape Architecture Magazine, March 2013

Portland Transit Mall and Simon and Helen Director Park
Landscape Architecture Magazine, April 2013

The Walk of the Heroines at Portland State University
International New Landscape Magazine, July 2012

Port of Portland Headquarters; Atwater Place and Ardea in the South Waterfront District; The Rain Garden at the Oregon Garden Convention Center; Nike World Headquarters; and Vancouver Community Connector Design Competition
1000 Tips for Landscape Architects, by Daniela Santos Quartino, Loft Publications, 2011

The Amazing Water Garden at the Oregon Garden; The Rain Garden, Oregon Convention Center Expansion; Portland Art Museum, The Mark Building; and Nike World Headquarters, North Campus Expansion
Landscape Design @ USA, 2nd Edition, by George Lam, Pace Publishing Limited, 2009

Making the Train, #28
SEGDdesign Magazine, October 2010

Atwater Place and The Ardea in the South Waterfront District
International New Landscape Magazine, July 2010

Place-Making Exhibits Draw from History
Urban Land Magazine, May 2009

Amazing Water Garden at The Oregon Garden
International New Landscape Magazine, August 2008

How Green Infrastructure Can Improve Urban Water Quality
International New Landscape Magazine, August 2008

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, Public Art
International New Landscape Magazine, April 2008

Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge Heritage Area
Handbook of Regenerative Landscape Design, 2008

The Rain Garden at the Oregon Convention Center
International New Landscape Magazine, June 2007

The Richmond Bay Trail Historical Markers
Urban Space Design Magazine, May 2007

The Amazing Water Garden at The Oregon Garden
Landscape Architecture Magazine, January 2007

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade
Landscape Design @ USA, by George Lam, Pace Publishing Ltd, 2006

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade
International New Landscape Magazine, August 2006

Nike World Headquarters North Campus Expansion
International New Landscape Magazine, October 2006

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade
New Public Spaces, by Sarah Gaventa & Mitchell Beazely, Octopus Publishing Group, 2006

Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, Nike World Headquarters North Campus Expansion, The Rain Garden
Landscape Architecture, ‘A Manual of Environmental Planning and Design’, 4th Edition, by John Ormsbee Simonds & Barry W. Starke, McGraw Hill, 2006

San Francisco International Airport’s International Terminal Building
Wayshowing: A Guide to Environmental Signage Principles & Practices, 2006

The Rain Garden at Oregon Convention Center
Landscape Architecture, ‘Remembered Rain’, September 2004

The Rain Garden at Oregon Convention Center
Landscape Architecture, ‘River in the City’, October 2001

Nike World Headquarters, North Campus Expansion
Landscape Architecture, ‘Worlds Apart’, August 2000

The Children’s Garden at The Oregon Garden
Landscape Architecture, ‘Through the Looking Glass, A Landscape in the Eyes of a Child’, January 2000

Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse
National Building Museum Quarterly Journal, 2000

Concessions Area Mural, Portland International Airport
VM + SD: ‘A Sense of Place at the Airport’, June 1999

The A-Mazing Water Garden, The Oregon Garden
Land Forum 06, 1999

Mary Baker Russell Music Center Donor Display, Pacific Lutheran University
@ issue: ‘The Writing on the Wall’, Volume 4, No. 2

Oregon Convention Center, Columbus Convention Center, Mary Baker Russell Music Center
You Are Here: Graphics That Direct, Explain & Entertain, 1999

Profile: Mayer/Reed
Landscape Architecture & Specifier News, October 1998

Corporate Environments Letterhead
American Corporate Identity ’97: The 12th Annual Showing of the Best New Work in the USA, 1996

Sellwood Riverfront Park
Waterfronts,’Cities Reclaim Their Edge’, 1994

Columbus Convention Center Signage
Designing & Planning Environmental Graphics: ‘Forsaking Traditional Graphic Systems for Complexity and Variation’, 1994

The Museum at Warm Springs
Oregon Heritage, ‘The Museum at Warm Springs, a Timeless Heritage’, Summer 1994

Columbus Convention Center Signage
Identity, cover story, Fall/Winter 1994

The Museum at Warm Springs
Architectural Digest, ‘A Tribute to the Native American Spirit in Oregon’, October 1993

Tropical Africa Exhibit, The Oregon Zoo
Landscape Architecture, ‘Is Public Art Passé?’, February 1993

The Museum at Warm Springs
Architecture, ‘Tribal Tribute’, January 1993

The Museum at Warm Springs
Landscape Architecture, ‘Cultural Collaborations’, January 1993

Oregon Convention Center Signage
Identity, Fall 1992

Portland Center for the Performing Arts Signage
Print Casebook 8: The Best of Environmental Graphics, 1989

Johns Landing Commercial Area Signage
Print Casebook 5: The Best of Environmental Graphics, 1983