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Top 10 Portland Architecture Firms
Just like the bold and entertainment-driven styles found in the top architecture firms in Las Vegas, Portland firms bring their own regional identity into designs that reflect both climate and culture.
1. ZGF Architects
One of the biggest architecture firms in the Pacific Northwest, ZGF Architects is celebrated internationally for its attention to both people’s well-being and caring for nature. ZGF shows the way top American architecture firms approach sustainability. They design structures that stand out in healthcare, aviation, corporate, and civic spheres.
Notable Projects: PDX Airport Expansion, Google’s Portland Office
Specializations: Healthcare, aviation, corporate, civic
Contribution: A true leader among top American architecture firms, ZGF sets the tone for integrating sustainability at scale.
2. Skylab Architecture
Skylab Architecture is one of the popular architecture firms, known for bringing together the newest technology with a futuristic design. The firm is renowned for showing the modern progress of Portland. Their projects include the Columbia Building and the Nike World Headquarters, demonstrating their skills in all three sectors.
Notable Projects: Columbia Building, Nike World Headquarters
Specializations: Mixed-use, commercial, hospitality
Contribution: This architectural design firm is known for innovative, edgy design that speaks to Portland’s progressive spirit.
3. Lever Architecture
This company was one of the very first sustainable architecture firms to apply mass timber and different renewable materials on a large scale. What they do continues to impress, as they keep discovering new ways to incorporate nature into cities.
Notable Projects: Adidas North American HQ, Framework (unbuilt)
Specializations: Research, mass timber, civic, institutional
Contribution: An example of green architecture principles, Lever’s work redefines how cities can build with nature in mind.
4. Holst Architecture
This residential architecture firm is famous for designing affordable housing and communities, emphasizing the value of respecting society and keeping expenses low. They have shown their skills in creating low-cost homes, mixed-use environments, and neighborhood projects.
Notable Projects: The Beacon, Anna Mann House
Specializations: Affordable housing, mixed-use, community
Contribution: Reshaping Portland’s urban fabric through inclusive and sustainable residential spaces.
5. SRG Partnership
SRG Partnership is a leading architecture firm that mainly specializes in designing education and healthcare facilities for institutions. They focus on services related to education, research and the healthcare industry.
Notable Projects: University of Oregon Knight Campus, OHSU
Specializations: Education, research, healthcare
Contribution: Among the best architecture firms driving high-impact, people-first campus and lab environments.
6. Allied Works Architecture
Allied Works Architecture is particularly respected in Portland due to its unusual designs and superb use of materials. This internationally renowned architecture firm focuses on designing unique spaces for culture, museums and various institutions.
Notable Projects: Clyfford Still Museum, National Music Centre
Specializations: Cultural, museum, institutional
Contribution: A visionary architectural firm where art meets architecture with poetic clarity.
7. SERA Architects
Among Portland’s commercial architecture firms, SERA Architects is especially known for bringing together ideas for cities, designs and interesting interiors. They excel in creating sustainable cities by making both style and utility part of their plan.
Notable Projects: The Oregon Convention Center Renovation, Pearl District housing
Specializations: Urban design, sustainable commercial projects
Contribution: Blending function with form, SERA is at the forefront of sustainable urban development.
8. Hacker
Known for his simple and creative designs, Peter Hacker is considered by many to be one of the residential architects in Portland. Architects here are famous for skillfully blending the inside with the outside. Ledding Library and Skyview Pavilion are just two examples of Kengo Kuma’s focus on libraries, living and cultural buildings.
Notable Projects: Ledding Library, Skyview Pavilion
Specializations: Libraries, residential, cultural
Contribution: A strong voice among landscape architecture firms blending indoor and outdoor environments.
9. Bora Architecture & Interiors
This firm fuses precise design with an exciting environment in its educational and government projects. Because of the socially minded designs they create, one of the firm’s names is recognized for helping the public and non-profit areas.
Notable Projects: Lincoln High School, Meyer Memorial Trust HQ
Specializations: Education, nonprofit, civic
Contribution: One of the architectural firm names shaping socially conscious learning environments.
10. Path Architecture
Through impressive advancements in tall timber, this small architect in Portland firm is having a substantial impact on the community. They stand out by championing green construction, making both small and large structures and using mass timber for most of their recent designs, represented in projects such as Carbon12.
Notable Projects: Carbon12, The Radiator
Specializations: Mass timber, residential, mixed-use
Contribution: Redefines modern housing through sustainability, scale, and structural innovation.
How Novatr’s BIM Course Prepares Architects to Succeed in Top Firms
To succeed at architectural design firms in Portland, architects must combine design thinking with digital fluency. That’s where the BIM Professional Course for Architects by Novatr plays a transformative role.
Here’s what makes the course a career game-changer:
- Master industry-standard tools like Revit, Navisworks, and Dynamo with guidance from global experts.
- Work on real-world design projects that simulate collaborative studio environments.
- Get career support to land competitive architecture firm jobs across residential, commercial, and sustainable sectors.
- Earn a globally recognized certification that elevates your professional profile.
- Join a growing network of AEC professionals, mentors, and recruiters to boost your career trajectory.
A BIM skill set is important for architects who wish to lead their field, join leading architecture firms, and design in a way that benefits the environment. Read the blog to find out the rewards of using BIM in architecture and how it can help you get good-paying jobs in 2025.
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