Our doors are open THIS THURSDAY—come check out the 2025–26 Architects in Schools exhibit at BRIC!
As one of two different reception locations Downtown, we’re proud to host student work from classrooms across the Portland metro area. Join us on Thursday, May 7th from 5:30-7:30pm to explore exciting community design projects that were inspired by more than 3,000 hours of mentorship by 150+ volunteer design professionals.
And the best part? We're just one block from the First Thursday festivities on NW 13th—so make us your first stop (or last!) on your evening out.
All are welcome:
✓ Free & open to the public
✓ Family friendly
✓ No registration required
📍 BRIC Architecture | 1233 NW Northrup St, Suite 100 Portland, OR
🕠 Thursday, May 7 | 5:30–7:30pm
One of the most meaningful parts about working with interns is getting to support their growth, both during and after their time at BRIC.
BRIC team members recently attended @psuarchitecture M.Arch midterm open house to connect with two of our interns: Nathalie Hutchinson (current) and Alex Yarovaya (Summer 2023 Cohort).
With an emphasis on subversive community-led design, Nathalie’s thesis explores a “community investment trust” financial structure through a multigenerational housing project in SE Portland. Alex’s thesis project seeks to support and empower neurodiverse individuals through the development of an equine therapy center with connections to nature interwoven throughout the program.
From their care and ingenuity to the questions they’re continuing to examine, witnessing the ways Nathalie and Alex are championing social change and holistic wellbeing through design is deeply inspiring. We’re so proud of what they’ve accomplished and we can’t wait to cheer them on as they continue to grow this semester!
“When we nourish people, we nourish the whole community.”
Founded in 2016 by Chef Jacobsen Valentine, @feedthemass responds to rising food insecurity in Multnomah County by empowering communities through education and action. Their team is dedicated to expanding access to nutritious food, reducing waste, and strengthening connections through shared meals.
BRIC Designer Octavio Gutiérrez and Intern Nathalie Hutchinson are advancing this mission through the design for a Community Market in the new Nourish Building, projected to open this fall.
Located in Portland’s Old Town, the four-story Nourish Building transforms a former office space into a vibrant community hub for food access, workforce training, entrepreneurship, health services, and family connection. BRIC developed the test fit and prepared sketch renderings for the first-floor Community Market. The market will bring together fresh food, local goods, and children’s cooking classes to create opportunities for connection and education in a space rooted in dignity and possibility.
As food insecurity continues to impact thousands of Oregonians, we’re honored to support Feed the Mass and amplify their mission throughout our community. To learn more about the organization and their story, visit:
Students, communities, and local industries all benefit from accessible, future-ready Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. We’re inspired to see districts deepening their commitment to hands-on, industry-connected learning—sparking curiosity, building confidence, and opening doors to meaningful futures. BRIC is proud to partner with districts throughout the PNW to create environments across all grade levels where exploration is tangible, skills are relevant, and every student can see a pathway from classroom to career.
In honor of CTE Month, we’re highlighting the recently completed Douglas High School CTE Center. The 44,500 SF facility offers flexible, student-centered spaces designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and career exploration. Intentional visual transparency and shared gathering spaces remove barriers so students can see one another working and discover new pathways.
➡️ Industry-aligned CTE spaces empower students to take ownership of their futures while strengthening connections among peers, educators, and community partners.
➡️ A high-performance enclosure and efficient mechanical and electrical systems—paired with a solar PV array offsetting more than half the building’s energy use—support sustainability, adaptability, and long-term district stewardship.
@officialddhs@daviddouglas_sd
How can school districts leverage innovative K-12 design trends to create compelling bond programs that address community needs?
At this Friday’s Bonds, Ballots, and Buildings Conference, Karina Ruiz and Dan Hess will join a panel of industry leaders for “Designing for the Future: Navigating Innovation Amid Cost Pressures and Changing Community Needs.”
Drawing from diverse industry insights and bond program success stories, they’ll explore emerging trends—including career technical education, wellness-centered learning environments, adaptability, and sustainability—along with proven strategies to help districts navigate market volatility and maximize the impact of every bond dollar.
📍 Bonds, Ballots, and Buildings Conference
🗓 Friday, February 6 | 9:45 AM
📌 Willamette Ballroom C
👤 With @skanskausa and @nc12schools
Stop by our booth to say hello. See you there!
#BondsBallotsBuildings #K12Design #EducationalArchitecture #BondPlanning #BRICArchitecture
Last Monday, our team honored Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy in partnership with local community-centered organizations that champion access, opportunity, and education.
From packing +100 food bags for @portlandbackpack to weeding, churning compost piles, and removing blackberry bushes, we gathered at @kindnessfarm to learn and serve alongside their staff.
Kindness Farm hosts land-based education opportunities and healing outdoor experiences for students, youth, and adults from marginalized and low-income families. Learning about their regenerative approach to agriculture underscored the important role that equitable and inclusive environments—both natural and built—play in equipping communities with the resources they need to thrive.
To learn more about Kindness Farm, visit their website :
As we transition from the end of one year into the start of another, we’re reflecting on the connections that shape our work and our communities.
Our team began the season with a tour of the new CTE Center at @officialddhs . From central, light-filled gathering spaces to innovative technical spaces, the new CTE Center was designed to underscore DDHS's motto, “A place where connections are made,” through ongoing partnerships between District leaders, design team members, industry partners, and community stakeholders.
That same spirit of connection extends far beyond our projects. This season, we’ve been proud to support incredible outcomes alongside organizations like @milkcratekitchenpdx and @beavertonhigh 's “Beaver Den”. These initiatives remind us that thriving communities are not only strengthened by the spaces they share, but through the care they extend to one another.
We’re grateful to start the year surrounded by partners and peers who believe in the power of community—and we look forward to the connections we’ll continue to make together in the year ahead!
Image 1,2,3: BRIC Staff at the David Douglas CTE Center Image 4: BRIC Celebrating with Milk Crate Kitchen Image 5: Donation Collections
BRIC’s commitment to co-creating equitable, efficient, and resilient learning spaces is a defining pillar of our work. As we continue to champion a holistic approach to sustainability, we’re proud to share that we’ve signed the @aianational Materials Pledge, an accountability framework designed to promote healthy project outcomes through more thoughtful material specifications.
All five impact areas of the pledge—human health, social health and equity, ecosystem health, climate health, and circular economy—have the capacity to inspire transformative outcomes in each community we serve. We're excited to work alongside clients, stakeholders, and our A/E/C peers to advance this collective commitment to transforming the industry and the spaces we experience every day.
1-2: Renton High School @rentonschools@therealrentonhs
3-4: Sylvania CT Building @portlandcommcollege@studiopetretti
When Tonie Esteban championed BRIC’s first Fall Fest, no one knew what it would become. Eight years later, this celebration of good food, gratitude, and ever-growing traditions is easily one of our most beloved events. We’re grateful for moments like this that invite us to slow down, share our favorite holiday meals, and reconnect with our entire team. In between the incredible potluck lunch and a lively raffle, we pause and raise a toast to our clients, to each other, and to all of the communities that inspire our work.
Cheers to the start of the holiday season!
We’ve been hard at work with @bric_arch designing the renovation of @portlandcommcollege Communications Technology Building, the home of visual and performing arts on the Sylvania campus. If you’ve visited recently, you’ve seen environmental graphics designed by @sparkssullivan highlighting the exciting improvements to come. We’ve had the privilege of talking to plenty of Sylvania students, faculty, and staff to get feedback on the design and are feeling energized for the year to come! 📸 Images by Tom Cook Photo
Today marks BRIC’s 8th anniversary. Since our very first day in 2017, each year has brought exciting changes. New projects. New markets. New partners. And so many amazing new team members.
But through it all, one thing has never changed: our enduring belief that equitable, value-driven design can empower every learner, every community, every day.
Happy Birthday, BRIC-ers! Cheers to all of the milestones still to come. #bricbirthday #anniversary #equityinarchitecture
Renton pride was on fire at RedHawkS Day 🔥
As the kick-off to the new year, students and their families gather with RHS staff and program/club reps for a back-to-school celebration filled with music, activities, and a whole lot of school spirit.
Since 2023, RedHawkS Day has represented one of the many ways BRIC has been able to bring the RHS community into the design process for their new high school. Our team was excited to join in on the festivities again this year, sharing updates on the reimagined RHS campus and hearing more about what matters most to this vibrant community. Working alongside our local GC/CM partner (and booth neighbor!) Skanska USA , Tonie and Justin presented new imagery and project insights.
BRIC is proud to be part of Renton’s story—and to continually witness the passion and pride that makes the Redhawks soar. ❤️🖤
#TheeRentonHighSchool #RedHawkSDay #SchoolDesign #K12Design #CommunityDrivenDesign #EquityCommissioning #DesignForChange
