Housing Oregon Conference 2025

Workshops Featuring AIA Oregon Architectural Firms

Today's Workshops

ARCHITECTS ADVOCATING FOR INCREASED QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION

Although architects’ play an integral role in addressing the housing crisis, historically they have not been a strong collective voice in the policy making surrounding affordable housing. Reflecting on our work, AIA Oregon recognizes that the design community interfaces with policy makers, developers, and local jurisdictions on a regular basis. We are excited to share our experiences and lessons learned with the community at this year's Housing Or Conference.

*Presentations will be uploaded to this site after the conference.

MONDAY 09.15.2025

Integrating Art in Affordable Housing: Building Community,

Connections, and a Sense of Place

M 10:30-11:45 am Room: D139-140

Presenters:

Dave Mojica, Associate Principal, Scott Edwards Architecture
Alexa Cano, Architect, Scott Edwards Architecture
Thomas Eldridge, Development Manager, Community Development Partners
Laura Spidell, Executive Director, EngAGE

This presentation examines methods for incorporating art in the architecture of affordable housing, addressing how developers, project teams, and resident services can identify art and artists meaningful to the development vision, and financing opportunities scalable to budgets and considering the value art can bring. When thoughtfully integrated, art can elevate how people experience a space. Art can build community through representation and cultural expression, create a sense of place through the depiction of local landmarks, flora, and fauna, and apply the principles of trauma-informed design to improve well-being. The speakers use relevant case studies from multiple affordable housing projects to demonstrate different and creative strategies to procure art, including approaches where the residents participate in the creation. Attendees can expect to learn the value of art in daily life, best practices for integration and resilience, and the role art can play in creating home.

Building From the Ground Up: A Panel Discussion on Affordable

Housing Development and Design

M 10:30-11:45 am Room: E143-144

Moderator: Gauri Rajbaidya, Principal Architect, SERA ArchitecturePresenters:

- Carmen Fernandez, Housing Development Manager, Farmworker Housing Development
- Corporation
- Kevin Kellogg, Pacific Northwest Market President, Gorman and Company
- Artur Grochowski, Project Architect, SERA Architecture
- John Treber, LEED Green Associate, SERA Designs

This panel discussion brings together two developers and an architect to explore jurisdictional & development challenges through the lens of two similarly scaled ground-up projects. The Jade Apartments is a 40-unit, three story, garden-style courtyard building in outer southeast Portland developed by Gorman Company in collaboration with local community-based organization Asian and Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and GSI Builders. Colonia del Valle Prospero is a 54-unit multi-family project designed as three story, garden-style apartments in the City of Albany developed by Farmworker Housing Development Corporation in collaboration with LMC Construction. Both projects faced significant challenges with right-of-way improvements, jurisdictional hurdles, and code challenges at the intersection of building, zoning, and engineering. The panel discussion looks at comparative strategies the development teams used to navigate and transcend these challenges. The discussion aspires to conclude with recommendations aimed at State and local jurisdictions as well as developers and architects undertaking this process.

Cost Containment in Uncertain Times

M 10:30 - 11:45 am Room: E145

Moderator: Michelle Black, Principal, Carleton Hart ArchitecturePresenters:

Martin Segura, Project Manager, Senior Associate, Carleton Hart Architecture
Afton Walsh, Project Manager, Community Outreach Director, Walsh Construction
Andrew Colas, President, CEO, Colas Construction
Alex Coleman, VP of Pre-Construction, LMC Construction

Operating in a climate still feeling the effects of post-pandemic economic challenges and now under constant threat of tariffs is not easy. Pulling from decades of experience in the affordable housing industry, this panel of architects and contractors will discuss strategies for working in this uncertain time sharing insights on how your project team can be proactive and work strategically to devise a process that will help reduce risk. Tackling topic areas spanning predevelopment through construction, we hope all will come away from this interactive panel with ideas on how to help their project keep on budget and make it to the finish line.

Designing Inclusive Housing: Integrating Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Students, and Seniors in Shared Communities

M 2:00 - 3:15 pm Room: F149

Moderator: Brendan Sanchez, Principal, Access ArchitecturePresenters:

Alexis Richbart, Senior Designer, Access Architecture
Paul Burgess, Executive Director, Fourth Plain Forward
Jennifer Knapp, Executive Director, Community Vision

This panel will explore the challenges and solutions in designing housing that supports an integrated community of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), students, and seniors. Presenters will offer a case study of an intentional, affordable development, with insights from an architect, developer, and disability advocate. Community Vision, a disability service provider, will offer an overview of the importance of Universal Design and how inclusive, thoughtful design benefits people with disabilities, families, seniors, and others with diverse needs. Access Architecture will share specific universal design strategies that emphasize accessibility, safety, and community. Fourth Plain Forward, the project developer, will discuss how the project came about and how it is being made financially viable and sustainable. Together, the panel highlights people-centered design strategies that promote inclusion. By prioritizing accessibility and belonging, the project fosters a community where all residents can thrive.

Sustainable, Affordable, and Community-Focused: Mercy Greenbrae Pioneering Sustainability for Families

M 3:30 - 4:45 pm Room: F150

Moderator: Brian Ames, Project Manager, Walsh Construction Co. Presenters:

Chris Bendix, Project Developer, Mercy Housing
Melissa Soots, Project Manager, Carleton Hart Architecture
David Reddy, Project Manager, O'Brien360
Sharon Libby, Director of Quality, Walsh Construction Co.

This session highlights Mercy Greenbrae, a pioneering affordable housing project that achieved PHIUS (Passive House Institute US) certification while delivering on goals of sustainability, affordability, and community-centered design. Speakers including the owner, architect, general contractor, and sustainability exper —will share how PHIUS requirements were integrated into a project already in motion, and the critical lessons learned around building enclosure, mechanical systems, duct sealing, and performance testing. Attendees will gain insights into how early collaboration, trade partner expertise, and local sourcing can support high-performance goals without compromising cost or constructability. The session offers practical takeaways for integrating PHIUS strategies into future projects, emphasizing how sustainable, healthy, and resilient housing can be both replicable and community-driven.

TUESDAY 09.16.2025

Building Hope: Oregon’s Tallest Mass Timber Structure as a Solution for Permanent Supportive Housing

T 9:00-10:15 am Room: E146

Presenters:

Nici Stauffer, Senior Associate, Holst Architecture
Mai Huynh-Carnes, Senior Development Manager, Community Development Partners
Ed Sloop, Chief Estimator, Walsh Construction Co.
Julia Doty, Service Programs Manager, Community Development Partners

With houselessness rates in Portland reaching new heights in 2025, Oregon is addressing the largest humanitarian crisis the city has ever faced by implementing innovative solutions for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Enter Julia West House—a new high-rise CLT building in downtown Portland that provides 90 PSH units for houseless elders, giving them the support they need. This rapid-fire talk brings together perspectives from the developer, architect, general contractor, and resident services to discuss the complexities explored and opportunities pursued in designing the tallest mass timber building in Oregon. For attendees interested in the intersection of biophilia, innovations in mass timber, and trauma-informed design within a tight eighth block urban site, this presentation by a multidisciplinary team will share the process for creating an energy-efficient and healthy building designed to support our most vulnerable community members.

Report Back: Takeaways from Oregon’s Social Housing Delegation to Vienna, Austria

T 10:30-11:45 am Room: D137-138

Moderator: Rebekah Markillie, Coalition Organizer, Oregon Housing AlliancePresenters:

Akasha Lawrence Spence, CEO, Fifth Element, former Oregon State Senator
Brian Squillace, AIA, BORA Architecture
Breonne DeDecker, Manager, Rental Services Office, Portland Housing Bureau, City of Portland
Carly Harrison, SVP of Real Estate, Albina Vision Trust

Vienna is globally recognized for its commitment to housing as a human right. Over 40% of the city’s housing stock is social housing—this so significant that it helps regulate and stabilize even the private rental market. On September 7-12, Housing Leaders from Oregon will be attending an educational trip to Vienna to learn about Vienna’s social housing system, which is able to produce 7,000 new units a year. In this panel, trip participants will share their first-hand experiences, key learnings, and other essential observations. Special thanks to trip organizers: Rebekah Markillie, Akasha Lawrence-Spence, and Beatriz Stambuk-Torres.

How to Work with an Architect: Best Practices Panel

T 10:30 - 11:45 am Room: D139-40

Moderator: Stephen McMurtrey, Principal, Dream Development & Dave Mojica, AIAO HAC ChairPresenters:

Molly Culbertson, Principal, ACID Architecture
Jennifer Nye, Principal, Salazar Architects
Briana Manfrass, President, Pinnacle Architecture
Ryan McAlister, President, Gerding Builders

The state of Oregon has over 3,000 licensed architects. Each architectural practice has unique aspects they can bring to a development team to help them realize their vision. This panel will overview how to hire and contract an architect and examines best practices for doing so from an architect’s perspective. We will discuss how architects traditionally support development teams in balancing the design process with funding timelines, lead land use approvals, and permit reviews. This panel includes firm leaders from a variety of firm sizes and will highlight the nuanced approaches they take for community engagement and managing stakeholder goals and requirements. Panelists will also explore methods for working with general contractors to realize the project vision through close partnership and goal alignment.

Regenerative Design as a Tool for Restorative Justice in New Affordable Housing Communities

T 10:30 - 11:45 am Room: E146

Presenters:

Chandra Robinson, Principal, LEVER Architecture
Kelsey McWilliams, Associate, LEVER Architecture

Regenerative design aims to actively restore and enhance natural and human systems, creating a positive impact on the environment and society. This session will present case studies of Albina One and Dekum Court, and allow significant time for Q&A. Participants will gain a greater understanding of regenerative design principles and how to apply them to affordable housing. Albina One is the first project of Albina Vision Trust and the largest restorative justice project in the country. LEVER partnered with AVT to design a building that is culturally specific and environmentally conscious, using outdoor spaces to rebuild vibrant communities. A Home Forward project, Dekum Court provides 187 units of deeply affordable housing in North Portland. Community engagement with current residents informed phasing, and how both new residential buildings and the CLT community center were designed to meet specific resident needs while meeting timeline and budget constraints.

TimberView: Bringing Sustainable Mass Timber Construction to Affordable Housing, A Case Study

T 2:00 - 3:15 pm Room: F149

Presenters:

David Burnett, Senior Associate, Project Architect, Access Architecture
Dave Bachman, President & CEO, Cascade Management, Inc.
Betsy Bice, Director, Truebeck Construction

Access Architecture; architect, Cascade Management; project consultant and property manager, and Truebeck Construction; contractor will speak about the project and the processes required for funding, design, and construction. Additionally, we will share the hurdles overcome and lessons learned. Developed without dedicated mass timber funding, TimberView was envisioned as a replicable model. This session aims to equip you with the strategies, tools, and insights our team employed—along with the challenges we navigated—so you can advance your own tall mass timber projects, building upon and potentially exceeding the example set by TimberView.

If you are an AIA Oregon member and would like your presentation added to this site please contact Dave Mojica at dmojica@seallp.com 407.929.8694

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