A'22 - How architects are advocating for ADUs in high-cost urban areas

RICO QUIRINDONGO, AIA, RICHARD MOHLER, FAIA, AND MATT HUTCHINS, AIA DISCUSS HOW ARCHITECTS CAN ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED ADU PRODUCTION AND MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER.

ADUs are one piece of America’s “missing middle” housing puzzle.

In the United States, home prices rose nearly 20% last year, reaching record levels. In light of a lack of supply, neighborhoods zoned for single-family housing are being re-examined by urban planners – and architects – looking for creative ways to address density.

In Seattle, where the cost of living is 53% higher than the national average, the pinch is particularly severe. Local architects and city officials hope that ADUs – or accessory dwelling units – could provide some relief.

On Day 2 of AIA’s Conference on Architecture 2022, a group of five panelists from Seattle discussed how architects can advocate for increased ADU production and make the process easier. Code reform, public outreach, financial incentives, and online tools all play a role.  

Dana Ing Crawford Memorial Scholarship

In Loving Memory of Dana Ing Crawford: 

Dana was an ardent supporter and mentor of women engaged in the profession of Architecture.  To continue her legacy of inspiring and supporting women who want to become Architects, Dana’s friends and colleagues at ORW Architecture have established a scholarship fund in her name through the Oregon Community Foundation.  The Dana Ing Crawford Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to women in Oregon (high school graduates or the equivalent) in their pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree in Architecture. 

To be a part of ensuring Dana’s legacy, please consider donating via credit card by following this secure link: Dana Ing Crawford Memorial Scholarship Fund

Or you can mail a check, payable to OCF with “Dana Ing Crawford Memorial Scholarship Fund” on the memo line, to the Oregon Community Foundation’s Portland office at:

Oregon Community Foundation
1221 SW Yamhill
Suite 100
Portland, OR  97205

The impact of Dana’s absence is immeasurable, but with time comes healing.  With your support her influence will endure for generations. To encourage both individuals and architecture firms to participate, ORW Architecture has made a lead gift of $5,000.  Scholarships will be awarded when the fund balance reaches $50,000.  We look forward to your support! 

Portland-based Hacker opens office in Bend, Oregon

Bend, OR, July 11, 2022 –– Hacker is pleased to announce the opening of their new office in Bend, Oregon. The Bend office will complement the firm’s Portland office and help to support the studio’s increasing presence in central Oregon. Recent work in the area includes: The Grove, a new development in Bend including the recently completed Grove Market Hall and Assembly workspaces, and the soon to be completed Arête condominiums; the Universalist Unitarian Fellowship of Central Oregon, a new home for community gathering for spiritual growth and fellowship; and the Lodge at Black Butte Ranch, an amenity building designed to capture the spirit and beauty of the Ranch through connections to the surrounding high desert and mountain landscape.  

“Central Oregon is such a unique and dynamic landscape,” notes Corey Martin, Principal designer for several of the firm’s Bend area projects. “There’s no place like it anywhere in the world and over the past 40 years, we’ve been dedicated to designing buildings uniquely suited to this high desert landscape.” Notable projects found in the region and beyond include: the nationally recognized High Desert Museum, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year; the downtown Bend Library for Deschutes County; the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum in The Dalles; and the Lakeside Bistro and Pool at Black Butte Ranch.

Interior designer Sarah Weber, Associate Principal, and architect Tom Schmidt, Associate, both Bend residents, are looking forward to having a space in which to collaborate in their hometown. “The Bend region is important to the firm,” notes Weber. “Some of the firm’s earliest work is in the region and that experience has been fundamental to helping to define how we relate to landscape and local environments.”

The Bend office will be located at 2838 NW Crossing Drive, Suite 206 inside the Assembly, a co-working space within The Grove, a 67,000-square-foot, multi-function development including office space, retail, a food hall, and housing. “This makes our 10th project in the area,” notes Tom Schmidt. “What’s great about The Grove is that it rethinks how development occurs in places such as Bend. It creates a comfortable sense of density while preserve our natural landscape by minimizing sprawl."