THE ASSEMBLY | #4 | Dec 2023

Written By jennifer wright

Hi!

Am I the only one that thinks this month just flew by? Or maybe it’s just timing a newsletter, some holiday time off & that family Christmas card that has now turned into a New Year’s greeting?

This final month of the year always prompts a lot of reflection. Considering the highs and lows, the “best of” and the “yet to come”. With all the turmoil that is going on in the world today, it’s easy to feel insignificant and question your purpose as a small architecture studio. For this, I lean on gratitude - grateful for all of my clients who entrust me with the creation of their dream, for my collaborators who share their insight & expertise, for a community that supports & uplifts our creative businesses, for a region whose bounty of nature is consistently inspiring and last, but not least, for my family whose belief in the best version of myself keeps me pressing forward.

Many memorable events made 2023 a year to remember, here are a couple of highlights worth sharing:

This year marked my second year as the chair of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Oregon Chapter Small Firms Exchange (SFx) Committee. Hosting events, sharing resources and forging connections with numerous practitioners and their allies has been incredible. As a young firm owner, this community has been a godsend. Although I’m stepping down from leading the local AIA Oregon SFx Committee, I will remain a board member on the AIA National SFx Committee maintaining my role representing all small firms from the state of Oregon through 2025.

This past August, studio RALLYMADE and Portland Millwork hosted an evening cocktail party complete with tapas and live music at the Mid-century Inspired ADU. The event proved a huge success, raising much-needed funds for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s Architects In Schools program. Connect with AFO for future Dine & Design events like this one!

Between AI, politics, and the dynamics of the economy, 2024 is slated to be the most dynamic, most transitional and most impactful year in history! Yikes! For me, I’m simply looking forward to a new batch of compelling projects with engaged clients ready for a 2024 transformation - is that you? If so, let’s start the conversation now!

INSPIRATION, NEWS & COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Beach vibes :: The week before Christmas found the family & our three pups spending a handful of days in Cannon Beach. With a mix of unusually warm, sunny days and the typical foggy, chilly rainy days it was a fantastic time to be on the Oregon Coast. A perfect balance of warm beach walks and cozy days by the fire spent working on a 1,000-piece puzzle. Definitely worth checking out on your next visit:

  • Pop of color :: Aside from showcasing the owner, Michele Valigura’s ceramics, Basalt Studio features the work of other creatives as well. Supplying a healthy dose of color and a welcome remedy to the overcast winter days are Lisa Congdon prints and Debbie Bean glass art.

  • Into the woods :: No visit to Cannon Beach is complete without spending some time at Ecola State Park, located on the northern end of town perched on Tillamook Head. Although we were hoping to see whales, the stunning scenery and sweeping views of the coastline made it a worthwhile trip. Hiking on a path winding through dense old-growth rainforest dotted with mushrooms and ferns reminded me how lucky we are to have this natural beauty in our backyard and how important it is to preserve this resource. As someone who works in a profession that plays a large role in impacting climate change, I don’t take that responsibility lightly and am grateful to work with clients, collaborators & builders who value & prioritize sustainable practices as well.

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”

                                              - John Burroughs, Naturalist & writer

jennifer wright
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THE ASSEMBLY | #3 | Nov 2023