The Best Residential Architects in Portland, Oregon (2022)

When planning a residential project in Portland, Oregon, finding the right architect is essential to bring your vision to life. The city’s unique blend of historic charm and modern innovation makes it a hotspot for architectural creativity. With average project costs ranging from $250,000 to $450,000 and reaching up to $500,000, selecting an architect who can deliver both quality and value is crucial. The price per square foot in Portland averages $3.9, highlighting the importance of budgeting wisely for your construction plans.

With a population of 635,067 and a median home value of $548.9k, Portland offers a diverse and vibrant real estate market. The city’s thriving architectural scene is supported by 580 relevant contractors, providing ample options for homeowners seeking to build or renovate. Projects typically take up to 11 months to complete, necessitating an architect who can manage timelines efficiently and handle any unforeseen challenges during construction.

This article will introduce you to some of the best residential architects in Portland, Oregon. These professionals are known for their expertise, creativity, and proven track records. Choosing the right architect is critical to ensuring your project is completed to the highest standards, reflecting your style and meeting all your functional needs. Whether you’re planning a sleek modern home or a charming traditional residence, these architects have the skills and vision to make your dream home a reality.

The Best Residential Architects in Portland, Oregon (2022)

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more. 

Telford+Brown Studio Architecture

2132 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

Telford+Brown Studio Architecture, formerly Richard Brown Architect, AIA, provides thoughtful services for different sectors. Belonging in the list of top architects in Portland, Oregon, it is renowned for creating simple, beautiful, and practical spaces emphasizing natural materials, comfort, usability, and energy efficiency. Led by Portland Architect Hope Telford and continuing the 30-year practice of architect Richard Brown, the studio is known for its client-oriented and collaborative process.

With a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, Richard has practiced in Oregon, Washington, and California since 1976. He opened Richard Brown Architect AIA after five years with ZGF Partnership. Much of his work has been with institutional, religious, and residential clients. With her trademark creativity and enthusiasm, Hope brings a wide range of design, leadership, and management expertise to Telford+Brown Studio. Her 18 years of architecture experience include design and project management for wineries, homes, hospitality, universities, and community development in Portland, Vancouver, and Cape Town, South Africa.

Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio

915 NW 19th Ave. Studio C, Portland, OR 97209

Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio is a multidisciplinary creative studio that integrates architecture, interiors, and brand direction. It is known for its highly-considered architectural spaces and rich interior environments. The firm produces custom details specific to each project and client with an eye for engaging one-of-a-kind design elements. Being among the top residential architects in Portland, it was the 2022 Luxe RED Awards Regional Winner for Interior Architecture.

Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio is led by Jenny and Jeff Guggenheim and is licensed to perform architecture in Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. It has partnered with a variety of local, national, and international clients. The studio’s love for design, craft, and tailored spaces led it to establish a practice that allows its journey to be both creative and vital.

Propel Studio Architecture, Inc.

422 NE 79th Ave, Portland, OR 97213

Propel Studio Architecture focuses on the design of classic and sustainable projects of all scales. Its priority is to improve people’s lives, enrich the settings in which it works, and create striking places rather than focus on the size or type of project. Because of its dedication to excellence, it has built its reputation as one of the preferred residential architects in Portland.

Under the supervision of co-owners Nick Mira and Tuan Vu, the studio begins each project with research to understand the site, context, and client needs. With this foundation, the design team carefully crafts concepts that respond to the context in which it is built, integrating its architecture into each unique community, responding to climate, culture, local materials, and the surrounding built environment. 

Nick completes each project with a commitment to sustainable design principles and technical expertise. He is a certified architect in Oregon and Washington with eighteen years of experience working on technically complex projects. Nick’s portfolio includes high-performance houses and sustainable structures for commercial mixed-use, offices, research, and health care. Propel Studio’s creative director, Tuan is dedicated to collaborating throughout the design process and creating a healthy team environment. He has fourteen years of project experience, including noteworthy buildings in Portland, Oregon, and outside the US, with several award-winning projects and competition entries among them. 

Nathan Good Architects

205 Liberty St. NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301

Nathan Good Architects provides its clients with thoughtful design solutions that enhance the lives of those who experience its spaces. The firm’s architecture reflects the unique nature of its clients and their land. The studio’s designs are characterized by craftsmanship, durability, and pragmatic solutions. Its leadership in environmentally responsible design is also woven into all of its work. 

Founded by Nathan Good, Nathan Good Architects specializes in projects that have won multiple awards and recognition. Honors like The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design Green Good Design Award (2019) and the Restore Oregon: Celebrating Preservation, Reuse, and Community Revitalization DeMuro Award attest to its client’s needs and aspirations.

The company has been featured by Statesman Journal, Portland Business Journal, Bend Magazine, HomeDSGN, DJC Oregon, and Oregon Live.

communitecture ARCHITECTURE

1421 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202

Communitecture Architecture designs beautiful and sustainable places that unite people in a community. The firm is committed to sustainability while respecting the needs and priorities of all the individuals, families, and communities with whom it works and plays. Its approach explores new creative territories while remaining as accessible as possible.

Communitecture is a full-service design firm, typically leading projects from the conceptual design stage through construction. It believes in making its services accessible to projects that push the envelope regarding ecological design or community building. Renowned for being one of the leading Portland residential architects, the studio’s work often includes public processes to involve communities in the design and decision-making for public place-making projects and individual buildings. This process often involves public presentations and educational workshops.

Communitecture comprises members of the American Institute of Architects and LEED-accredited professionals. Its works have also piqued the interest of several press members, and it was featured in the Japanese magazine SOTOKOTO. Yes! Magazine, Portland Spaces Magazine, Sunset Magazine, Communities Magazine, Dwell, and Oregon Live.

Bora Architecture & Interiors

720 SW Washington, Suite 800, Portland, OR 97205

Bora Architects has positioned itself in Oregon as a dependable architectural design partner. This company is built on a strong design, sustainability, and innovation foundation and a strong commitment to positive social impact. Its 60-year history attests to the quality of its work and consistent service, which has won acclaim from its network of customers, many of whom have been loyal repeat customers for decades. The AIA Northwest and Pacific Region, AIA Portland, and the Portland Business Journal have also recognized the studio.

Amy Donohue, John O’Toole, Jeanie Lai, Christopher Linn, Michael Tingley, Stephen Weeks, and Brad Demby are among Bora’s design and managing principals. These experienced professionals and AIA and FAIA members come equipped with the extensive industry background that has shaped the landscape of their studio’s design process. 

Beebe Skidmore Architects

1500 SW 11th Ave. #2004, Portland, OR 97201

Heidi Beebe and Doug Skidmore formed Beebe Skidmore Architects to provide design leadership and experience to projects and clientele of all sizes. Among its completed projects are a 350-square-foot coastal sauna with a green roof, a 30,000-square-foot adaptive reuse workplace, multi-family housing in Boise, Idaho, and other dwellings around the Pacific Northwest. The firm is currently working on a co-living infill duplex, a two-tenant workspace conversion of an old grocery store, a net-zero mixed-use structure in St. Johns, a master plan for a phased wine-country inn, and a rural, multi-building art and environment residency program on the Oregon Coast.

Beebe Skidmore Architects’ work has been awarded at the local and regional levels of the AIA and published in the Wall Street Journal, Architectural Record, Dwell, Dezeen, Azure, and the New York Times. The State of Oregon has certified Beebe Skidmore as a Women’s Business Enterprise.

Fieldwork Design and Architecture

1752 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

Fieldwork Design and Architecture was launched over a decade ago. Cornell Anderson, an architect, and Tonia Hein, an interior designer, lead a team of outstanding designers in a dynamic studio culture centered on well-detailed, concept-driven design. Throughout the design process, Fieldwork stays hands-on, frequently developing relevant architectural components and handmade furnishings for select projects.

The firm’s approach to a project is to create a design that embodies the client’s beliefs and philosophy, driven by the project site and history. This results in a forward-thinking, creative, and enduring architectural statement that offers a memorable and meaningful experience. The studio’s designs utilize sustainable and local materials, take advantage of the area and landscape views, and utilize natural ventilation and daylighting.

Waechter Architecture

3928 N Williams Ave. Portland, OR 97227

Waechter Architecture is a full-service architecture studio. Shaping the industry as one of the premier architects in Portland Oregon, it was given the 2016 Architectural Record Design Vanguard Award. The firm aspires to create spaces that amplify experiences and resonate in its client’s memory. 

Inspired by experiential and clear, distilled design, Ben Waechter founded Waechter Architecture to pursue these concepts in his work. Before forming WA, he worked locally and internationally with leaders in architecture, including Allied Works Architecture and world-renowned architect Renzo Piano. Ben’s experience includes many building types.

Waechter Architecture is affiliated with The Architectural League of New York and TallWood Design Institute. Some of its works are also featured in Archinect, Portland Tribune, Interior Design, and Modern Homes Portland.

Skylab

413 SW 13th Ave, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97205

Skylab, founded in Portland two decades ago, is inquisitive, lively, and experimental. It employs architects, designers, producers, and entrepreneurs collaborating across landscapes and locales. The firm provides one-of-a-kind and personalized services, but its biggest asset is its integrated approach to problem resolution across the disciplines and offerings.

Skylab has garnered several honors, including the Woodworks Design Awards’ 2021 Commercial Wood Design Mid-Rise Award for Outpost and the American Architecture Award’s 2020 Commercial Award for Sideyard. Skylab’s work has also piqued the interest of some members of the press. Some of its projects have been published in ArchDaily, Architectural Record, Archinect, The Architect’s Newspaper, DJC Oregon, Designboom, Floornature, and Metropolis Magazine.

Hennebery Eddy Architects

921 SW Washington St, Suite 250, Portland, OR 97205

Hennebery Eddy Architects aspires to develop environmental stewardship, be financially sustainable, and develop a feeling of place while maintaining a long-term vision and a net-positive mentality. The firm is a Certified Passive House Consultant, a Passive House Institute U.S. member, and a Living Future accredited practice. One of the renowned Portland residential architects, it was featured in a 2018 Forbes article.

The company has been named an Architect Magazine Top 50 Firm and a JUST Organization by the International Living Future Institute’s 2.0 program. Hennebery Eddy Architects is a recipient of the AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Firm Award and has offices in Portland, Bend, and Bozeman, serving clients throughout the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West.

William / Kaven Architecture

4075 N. Williams Ave. Studio 440, Portland, OR 97227

William/Kaven Architecture is a multidisciplinary design practice based in Portland, Oregon. The studio was founded two decades ago by brothers Daniel Kaven and Trevor William Lewis, who had worked together since they were children in their home state of New Mexico.

Throughout their creative careers, the brothers have established an impressive portfolio that includes award-winning houses and settings for corporate customers such as Nike, Converse, Microsoft, and Diamond Supply Co. The American Institute of Architects recently awarded William Kaven Architecture a Design Merit award for their Interchange project. Archinect, Architectural Digest India, ArchDaily, Portland Tribune, and The Wall Street Journal have also featured it.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the residential architects in the Portland area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.