Holst is thrilled to announce that Senior Associate and Architect Sarah Vaz has been appointed to the Portland Design Commission! Members of the Design Commission provide leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture while also advancing the purpose of the Design Overlay Zone. The Design Overlay Zone is in place to ensure that Portland is a city designed for people but also created in harmony with nature. The Portland Design Commission hears Land Use applications for proposals within design districts and provides feedback for the design team.

"Living and working in Portland for the last ten years I have had the pleasure of experiencing the growth of an incredible city, and I am excited to serve my community by joining the continued efforts of the Design Commission in shaping that growth to the benefit of our shared public realm." - Sarah Vaz

Sarah is a Registered Architect and a Certified Passive House Consultant with PHIUS. She joined Holst in 2015 and has since been instrumental in creating an environment of learning and growth in the office. Sarah has worked on a wide range of project types and scales, from addiction treatment centers and homeless shelters to affordable housing and higher education.

Sarah was a Project Architect on Fora Health, an addiction treatment center that includes spaces for residential, outpatient, and detox programs support Fora Health's philosophy of the treatment of addiction as a medical issue rather than a moral failing. In 2023, the project received an AIA National Healthcare Award.

Most recently Sarah has been designing the Beaverton Recovery Center, which is one of two buildings that will make up the Washington County Center for Addiction Triage and Treatment. The building is designed with Trauma-Informed principles in mind, featuring natural materials, a serene color palette, skylights, clear wayfinding, and two enclosed courtyards–one for active use that includes a basketball hoop and open space, and one for quiet activities, with walking paths and seating for small group therapy.

An advocate for equity in the profession, Sarah has spearheaded many office outreach partnerships with youth-focused nonprofits including Emerging Leaders, the Portland Workforce Alliance, and the ACE Mentorship program. She has also organized staff involvement in events such as the Portland Winter Lights Festival.

We are so excited for Sarah to be a part of the Commission and believe she will be an incredible asset to the community.