Using architecture as our lens, we have compiled historically significant buildings and places in Oregon and California that have been the backdrop for pivotal movements in LGBTQIA+ history.
Blog
Just Another Day in Paradise
Joining MWA in 1995, Carlton felt inspired to work on projects that contribute to humanity. He wanted to look back at the end of his career and know that he used his skills to profoundly affect the community. Twenty-seven years later, he can do just that.
Introducing Celia Crawford – MWA’s Net Zero Emerging Leaders Intern
With one of MWA’s core values being responsibility, we always seek to do the right thing. We believe that designing for Net Zero energy is…
Five Years with Thomas Stark
Tom has worked in architecture since 1979, but this year, we celebrate five years with him on team MWA. Using his years of experience, Tom…
Acknowledging Black History and Celebrating Black Futures
This Black History and Futures Month, we discussed the history of some of the Black communities MWA Architects has served, walked through the forced changes these areas have endured, and envisioned ways to better serve our communities in the future.
Sarah Lundy’s Five-year Anniversary
For five lucky years, MWA has had Designer Sarah Lundy on our team, and for that, we celebrate! As part of the Portland Housing Studio,…
Kate Kearney’s First Year with MWA
MWA’s fearless Marketing Manager, Kate Kearney, joined us one year ago and immediately jumped into leading the marketing team, year-end planning, and what MWA lovingly…
Careers, Promotions, and Finding your Fit
Allison Plass’ Ten-year Journey with MWA With a lifetime of love for all things art and architecture, Allison has led graphics for MWA for ten…
Celebrating Trevor Gotfredson’s Fifth Anniversary with MWA
MWA has had the pleasure of working with Trevor Gotfredson for five years. A Designer for the San Francisco Infrastructure studio, Trevor has contributed to…
Women in Architecture
MWA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee hosted our first firm-wide DEI forum last month. For an hour, our team met to listen, learn, and discuss…
How Access to Outdoor Space Affects Mental Health
Ever wonder why, when people are overwhelmed, a typical response is to go outside, take a walk, or exercise? Why do we often hear “I…
Reflecting on Black History Month
As we reflect on Black History Month, we are hopeful that everyone will continue to learn, grow, and discover something new about aspects of Black…
Integrating Art & Architecture
As neighborhoods rapidly evolve with changing populations and new developments, it is important to acknowledge the community’s history and add new layers of beauty and…
A Year of New Talent Pt. 7
We’ve celebrated so many talented people throughout the course of 2021, and these individuals are no different. We’re so excited to wrap up this year…
Becoming a Principal: Greg and Jean’s Journey to MWA Leadership
MWA’s two newest Principals, Greg Robley and Jean von Bargen Root, reflect on their careers, how they lead effectively while working remotely, and their goals…
A Year of New Talent Pt. 6
Celebrating the one-year anniversaries of Erina Yamada, Amber Snowden, and Katerina Esparza As 2021 comes to a close, we’re celebrating the one-year anniversaries of three…
Celebrating 5 Years with Alex Harm
We’re celebrating Alex Harm’s 5-Year Anniversary as a member of MWA’s San Francisco Infrastructure studio. With over ten years of architectural experience, he brings his…
Ten Terrific Years with Nathan Streib
Celebrating ten years with MWA’s Portland Infrastructure studio is Architect Nathan Streib. As Project Manager on many of MWA’s large-scale infrastructure projects, Nathan is often…
A Year of New Talent Pt. 5
Celebrating the one-year anniversaries of Ameilia Ashley, Shradhan Shrivastav, and Sophia Alberts-Willis. We are excited to commemorate one year with three designers from MWA’s Portland…
MWA’s 10 Tips for Thoughtful Lab Design
Designers typically tailor a workspace for current employees: focused on comfort, a collaborative atmosphere, and productivity. Laboratory workspaces are also geared towards employees, but an…
A Decade of Design with Diana
This summer, we’re celebrating the milestone anniversary that marks a decade of design with Diana Moosman, MWA’s Lead Design Architect in the Portland Housing Studio.…
A Year of New Talent pt. 4
Celebrating the one-year anniversaries of Valerie Reynolds, Jose Silva, and Anna Hermann. As MWA continues to grow, we want to highlight three individuals who have…
Ryan Roepke After 10 Years with MWA
Congratulations, Ryan Roepke, on your 10-year anniversary with MWA’s Portland Infrastructure Studio. Working on some of MWA’s largest water projects, Ryan has brought immense value…
Monica Clarke’s 45 Year Journey in Marketing for Architecture
After 45 years of leading proposals for architecture, our star Proposal Coordinator, Monica Clarke, is officially retiring. Monica has built lasting relationships within our firm,…
Fifteen Years with Alfred Twu
Celebrating fifteen years with MWA’s San Francisco housing studio is Architect Alfred Twu. Alfred has worn many hats throughout his time here: he designs affordable…
Offsetting Our Carbon Footprint – One Step at a Time
Like many companies in 2020, MWA Architects closed our office doors due to the pandemic. Beginning in March, the office was essentially vacant. Even so,…
Three Attainable Goals Every Architecture Project Needs
Director of Sustainability Jean von Bargen Root presented at the 2020 Women in Construction conference. Focusing on risk management in today’s environment, Jean dives into…
A Year of New Talent pt.3
Celebrating the one-year anniversaries of Samia Rashed and Dana Elliot As we continue getting to know the individuals that have joined MWA this year, it…
Cost-Efficient Design and Construction
CEDC, a term coined by Walsh Construction Company, is a disciplined approach to affordable housing design and construction. CEDC applies cost efficiency principles to the…
A Year of New Talent Pt.2
Celebrating the One-year anniversary of Fei Li and Gabriela Alija The Infrastructure Studio at MWA’s San Francisco office is celebrating the one-year anniversaries of Designer Fei Li and…
Five Years With Leslee Randolph
Project Manager and Associate Leslee Randolph is celebrating five years in MWA’s Portland Infrastructure Studio. With a passion for elevating the human experience and respecting the environment, Leslee brings…
Ten Years And Counting With Shura McGraw
Celebrating 10 years with MWA is Project Accountant Shura McGraw. Working with both our Portland and San Francisco offices, Shura contributes to the success of MWA as a whole. Her love…
Five Steps to Boost Employee Satisfaction Within Your Firm
Want to create a safe and welcoming environment for all your employees? Have you been struggling to represent minorities within your firm? We are here…
Putting the “Tech” in Architecture – Five Years with Elliott Ruzicka
In our Portland infrastructure studio, Architect Elliott Ruzicka is celebrating five years with MWA this month. As our laboratory design specialist and go-to tech genius, Elliott is…
A Year of New Talent
Celebrating the One Year Anniversary of Bridget Basham, Ying Hong and Sangyoon Byun It’s often said that the first year with a company is the…
Ten Years with Chad Sanderson
An architect and Associate in our Portland infrastructure studio, Chad Sanderson, AIA, celebrated ten years with MWA this year. Chad has held many roles throughout his career. Still,…
A Silver Jubilee Celebration
Carlton’s Twenty-fifth MWAnniversary A graduate of Tuskegee University, Carlton Smith, FAIA, NOMAC, joined MWA Architects in 1995 after spending the early part of his career in…
Lee Abuabara After Five Years with MWA
Celebrating five years at MWA, Lee Abuabara is an integral part of the San Francisco Affordable Housing Studio. Lee wears many hats at MWA including Designer, Job Captain, and Associate in which she designs affordable…
Good Neighbors – A Design Week Portland Event Recap
Organized by: MWA Architects & University of Oregon School of Architecture & Environment Spatial Justice Initiative In a virtual collaboration between MWA Architects and the University of Oregon School of…
Ian Flood After Ten Years with MWA
A project architect in our Portland housing studio, Ian Flood has been with MWA for ten years. A valued member of the team, he can…
We Vow to be Better
The news of late is heartbreaking, drawing attention to the ugliness of systemic racism in our country. Standing on the sidelines is not an option.…
New Leaders Join the Ranks as MWA Looks to our Next 30 Years
2019 started with a bang for MWA! Having just finished our 30th year in business, we are excited about the next 30 with promotions of…
Narrow, Not Confined
When the owners of a narrow lot in a single dwelling urban neighborhood in North Portland asked MWA to design their dream home, we were…
A Seat at the Table
A seat at the table
MWA is over the moon excited about new leadership!
It is a great day at any business when strong office leaders are recognized and promoted. It is a fantastic day at MWA when two…
Like a Rock in the River – Hannah Mason Pump Station
How do we celebrate our infrastructure as a valuable public resource that we can take civic pride in? The newly opened Hannah Mason Pump Station…
Ribbon House
Nothing gets the thinkers of MWA more fired up than when they can apply their design skills to collaborate on solutions to pressing social concerns.…
Dwelling on the past – from industrial history to urban revival
We are always excited to be able to explore ideas for affordable housing in neighborhoods that could use housing and good design. Recently our MWA…