Highlights of 2023, Welcoming 2024

HOLST OUT IN THE WORLD

ENERGY TRUST OF OREGON RESEARCH GRANT - CARBON CROSSROADS

In 2023, Holst conducted a research study funded by the Energy Trust of Oregon Net Zero Fellowship on the results of whole life carbon analysis of eight multifamily buildings in the Pacific Northwest. The research provides designers and building development teams with embodied and operational carbon assessments of local projects to identify trends and lessons learned that support net-zero carbon buildings in new multifamily projects.

CONFERENCES & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

- Housing Oregon Conference: Maggie Harris and Cory Hawbecker presented “Post Occupancy Evaluations in New Affordable Housing”

- NOMA National Conference: Athena Rilatos (PLACE), Danae Sakuma (Hennebery Eddy), and Hannah Silver (Holst) presented “Decolonizing Pacific Northwest Architecture”

- NOMA National Conference: Monse Fonseca and Hannah Silver presented “Eight Ways to Design for Disabled Joy” in a virtual asynchronous course.

- AIA Seattle’s ‘Housing Now!’ Forum: Dave Otte presented “Argyle Gardens and the Triple Bottom Line: Equity, Efficiency, and the Environment”

- Energy Trust of Oregon Research Grant Presentations: Hannah Rusnac, Cory Hawbecker, and Ben Ott presented “Carbon Crossroads” in Bend, OR; Medford, OR; and a Virtual Session.

- AIA Oregon Digital Design Series: Kevin Valk and Mark Schmidt presented the Seaside Civic & Convention Center and Renée Strand and Lee Shradar presented Hearth.

AWARD JURIES

Principal / Owners Kim Wilson and Kevin Valk chaired the AIA East Tennessee Design Awards, collaborating with the Holst office as part of the jury review of submissions.

Principal / Owner Renée Strand served as a juror for the AIA Southwest Washington Chapter Design Awards.

PICKATHON ART INSTALLATION

In August, Holst designed and installed our interactive art concept for the Grove Neighborhood at the Pickathon Music Festival. The design is based on string theory, wherein the basic building blocks of the universe are not point-like particles but tiny, vibrating “strings” that give rise to all particles and forces in the universe. Our goal was to illuminate these vibrating “strings” at the Grove to enhance and reinforce the natural spaces and forces that exist, while providing a greater dimension to the experience.

CITY OF SEATTLE MASS TIMBER INCUBATOR

In December, Holst joined the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) as a consultant to provide facilitation and capacity-building services to create a Mass Timber incubator nonprofit. This project is being led by Erica Spiritos, a Portland-based mass timber expert and sustainable business visionary. Holst’s Inclusive Design Facilitator Hannah Silver will coordinate and facilitate five workshops with partners from within the Mass Timber and A/E/C community in general, higher education and community colleges, Tribal government, organized labor, disadvantaged and displaced communities, public agencies, and other key communities and essential businesses. The group will develop organizational policies and strategies, assist in the creation of the mechanism for receiving future funding, and identify key partnerships with the ultimate goal of beginning a functional center of activity for Mass Timber in Seattle.

AWARDS

STAFF ROLES IN COMMUNITY & CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

2023 PROMOTIONS

OFFICE CULTURE

GRAND OPENINGS

NINEBARK - OPENED SPRING 2023

Designed for Killian Pacific, this new community located along the Columbia River in Washougal is officially complete! The development’s nine buildings are woven into the nine-acre site with a public waterfront park and nature-oriented open spaces, providing abundant space to work, rest, eat, play, and gather. Eight apartment buildings house a mix of 242 one-, two-, or three- bedroom units using high quality, sustainable, regionally sourced materials. A freestanding clubhouse with a dramatic sloped roofline holds amenities like the fully-equipped fitness center, cozy spaces for quiet and socializing, and a shared gear shed with outdoor equipment for residents to use.

THE AURORA - OPENED SUMMER 2023

Designed for Our Just Future, The Aurora is located on the corner of 160th and Stark Street in East Portland on a dedicated Civic Corridor. The five-story building’s efficient floor plan accommodates 93 one, two, and three-bedroom units of affordable, family-oriented housing. On the interior, thoughtful amenities including a large, flexible community room, oversized laundry room, and indoor/outdoor playroom focus on the needs of families. Throughout the building, trauma-informed design principles led the design team to develop a thoughtful layout with visual openness, and informed the interior color palette, a variety of seating options, and clear exits from public spaces.

2023 GROUNDBREAKINGS

2024 IS LOOKING BRIGHT

As 2024 kicks off, we are thrilled to have several important projects already underway, ranging from nonprofit headquarters to a flagship library, as well as recovery centers and affordable and market rate housing developments that are pushing the envelope in sustainability and inclusive design. Some are with valued long-time partners while others have given us the opportunity to form new relationships. We are beyond excited to see these projects shape cities across the Pacific Northwest.