Brian Libby profiles this busy Portland firm

Since first opening for business in 1992, Holst Architecture has emerged from a small firm with virtually no built work in its first decade to become one the city’s most acclaimed design teams. Holst has been responsible for a host of noteworthy, sometimes even breathtaking architecture throughout Portland. Along the way, the partnership between founding principals John Holmes and Jeff Stuhr has blossomed into a broad collective of designers working collaboratively, even as Holmes and Stuhr maintain a close working relationship.

A mix of arts facilities and high-density housing has comprised the majority of Holst’s work, from early projects for clients like Oregon Ballet Theater, the Pacific Northwest College of Art and Ecotrust in the late 1990s and early 2000s to their two celebrated mixed-use projects with developer Randy Rapaport in 2004 and 2008: the Belmont Street Lofts and the Clinton Condominiums. Today the scale of Holst’s projects has also expanded to include half-block sized towers like the recently opened 937 condominiums And the newly completed Ziba headquarters. Yet the firm still happily embraces smaller scale residential projects as well. Stuhr, for example, has recently been overseeing design and construction of a beach house of his own near Arch Cape, Oregon.

tracing paper sketch by Saul Zaik

There is something compelling about hand drawn architectural work. Tracing paper sketches, plans, diagrams, renderings of all kinds. They all keep the human presence up front in a way that computer generated work doesn't. Plus there is a "thingness" about them:  they become works on their own. They're nice to look at.

With this in mind I thought it might be fun to feature architects and designers hand work. It can run the gamut from napkin sketches to meticulous renderings. Or it can be non project related: travel sketches, painting, drawings, whatever. I've started with some things I've already gathered, but what would make this idea really work would be to let it change and grow from submissions from those of you willing to share your work. If you are interested please give me a call (503 381-3115) or drop me an email (bob@portlandmodern.com).

...have a look at the first offering....

FOR SALE: OPEN HOUSE JAN 31

Forward looking in design, systems, and materials. Opportunity to own LEED certified Platinum home--click for details...

video grab shot: January 6 2010 12 west Building by ZGF

Giant Green Wall in Portland

Wanted: locations for photo/film shoots

I get a number of inquiries from LOCATION SCOUTS in the film industry looking for locations to shoot commercials and even feature films. Perhaps there are property owners who would like to be paid to have their houses or buildings used as sets. So I'm starting a database of those of you who are open to talking to location scouts for these sorts of things. If you are interested let me know: 503 381-3115 or email bob at portlandmodern.com

Rental possibilities

I also get inquiries from people looking to rent architectural properties. Long term, short term, a bit of everything really. So if you need to rent out your digs while you are on sabbatical or maybe you own some nice modern designed apartment plex, give me a call and maybe we can put it up on the site.

Check out Brian Libby's comments on the Portland design and planning community

Why does such a good print magazine have such an unpleasant web presentation? Oh well, it is well worth the visual assault.