Collaborating in VR: Bora + The Wild
06.10.19
Bora has been expanding our use and understanding of VR in several ways over the past year, from our panel and exhibit during Design Week Portland to our embrace of emerging tools in our current projects. One of the most exciting developments is our adoption of The Wild – a VR collaboration platform that enables…
Culture Design Research
Texas A&M 21st Century Classroom Building is an Invitation to Expand Active Learning Expertise
06.07.19
Last week, Texas A&M University held their Transformational Teaching + Learning Conference, and included an invitation to all instructors on campus: apply to teach in the new 21st Century Classroom Building, no active learning specialization required! The 21CCB features innovative learning environments that many instructors haven’t experienced before, including in-the-round lecture halls. But faculty will…
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Crafted for Community: The New Edison High School
05.31.19
Edison High School’s mission is to help students with diverse learning differences to reach their full potential. Our design for their new 36,000 sf building is crafted with the same care and attention as the education Edison students receive, creating a nurturing sanctuary for learning and communal growth.
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Accounts Payable / Payroll / Benefit Coordinator
05.03.19
We’re Hiring! Are you interested in joining the Bora Operations Team? Take a look at the job description below, and submit your cover letter and resume to careers@bora.co. Position Summary This position is responsible for a full cycle of accounts payable and payroll and assists with company benefit management. You will be tasked with maintaining…
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Bora Awarded Pilot Grant to Support Business Diversity + Inclusion
05.02.19
Bora is actively engaged in increasing awareness about equity and bias in our profession and our practice. But when it comes to identifying and addressing implicit biases, an experienced facilitator is essential. That’s why we’re grateful to Prosper Portland for awarding us one of their first Inspiring Diversity Grants! This will support the launch of our Equity…
Culture News
The Materials Pledge
04.23.19
We have joined with 55 other signatories to issue an open letter to product manufacturers, stating our commitment to design and build with holistically optimized materials.
Culture News
Congratulations New Associates + Associate Principals!
03.22.19
Bora Architects is pleased to announce the promotions of our newest Associates and Associate Principals.
Culture News
Pat Harrington, Former Bora Managing Principal, Awarded Honorary Membership by the American Institute of Architects
03.05.19
For almost three decades, Pat leveraged architecture to benefit artistic communities nationwide whether helping create performing arts centers for major universities and urban communities or offering pro bono design services to local northwest arts organizations. His expertise in arts management, the functional requirements for major performance venues, and the fiscal and operational complexities of these…
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Bora Hosts AFO Fellows
02.26.19
Last night, we hosted the Architecture Foundation of Oregon Winter Member Gathering, featuring their latest Van Evera Bailey Fellows Jennifer Wright and Richard Potestio. Both gave presentations on the work they’ve been doing as part of their fellowships, followed by Q+A sessions with the gathered attendees, and an opportunity to socialize and tour Bora’s studio….
Culture News
Upcoming Event: Democratizing VR for Livable Cities
02.21.19
Bora started investigating ways to incorporate VR and immersive media into our practice back in 2016, starting with 360 photography for site documentation, and adding Enscape as a tool for design and communication. In the past 3 years, the technological landscape has evolved rapidly, and gaming engines like Unreal and Unity are developing workflows more…
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Progress Update at Texas Christian University School of Music
01.31.19
Construction is well underway at TCU, and we wanted to share a bird’s eye view. Thanks to our contractor team at Hunt Construction Group for this drone footage, and check out our project page for more details on the new School of Music building!
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Second Annual MLK Day of Service
01.22.19
Once again, the Bora office was closed on Monday for our annual MLK Day of Service. Everyone signed up for one of five different volunteering opportunities, allowing us to expand our reach (and avoid overwhelming any of our hosts with 65+ excited volunteers). The day culminated with happy hour at Ecliptic Brewing, where we gathered…
Culture News
Muji Opens Flagship West Coast Store in Meier & Frank Building
11.28.18
Bora has been hard at work on the renovation and modernization of Portland’s historic Meier & Frank building, from the basement to the fifth floor. As we near completion, we’re also celebrating the grand opening of the revitalized landmark’s new anchor tenant, Japanese lifestyle brand and retailer Muji, just in time for the holiday season….
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Building a Future: How Designers + Employers Engage with Gen Z
11.15.18
This month, the NAIOP Washington Chapter’s breakfast panel focused on Generation Z. Specifically, how designers and employers are rethinking work environments to attract and retain young talent. Bora Principal Amy Donohue sat on the panel, and spoke specifically about how trends in higher education and workplace design have overlapped to emphasize interdisciplinary exploration, social engagement,…
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OSU Cascades Tykeson Hall Wins AIA Portland Citation Award
11.06.18
We are honored to announce that Tykeson Hall, the inaugural building at Oregon’s first new four-year campus in over 50 years, has received an AIA Portland Citation Award. Our design responded to the region’s high desert climate and the university’s ambitious sustainability goals to realize a project that celebrates Bend’s distinctive landscape and entrepreneurial spirit. Click…
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Mike Manzi Contributes to Parsons Healthy Materials Lab Online Courses
10.30.18
Parsons Healthy Materials Lab has created a series of online learning courses specifically designed for professionals, dedicated to making the built environment the best (and healthiest!) that it can be. This innovative program is the first of its kind and brings together a group of 60 interdisciplinary experts at the top of their fields to…
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IIDA Oregon Honors Sarah Weber with Legacy Award
10.18.18
Last week, several of us attended the annual IIDA Oregon Chapter Design Excellence Awards celebration. Along with all the spectacular projects being recognized, the evening was particularly meaningful for our very own Sarah Weber. On behalf of Bora, the IIDA Oregon Chapter, and as a friend, I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Sarah…
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Faubion School is Certified LEED Gold in V4 Rating System
09.13.18
Yesterday, we received the news that our first venture into LEED v4 came up Gold! According to the USGBC, our Faubion PK-8 project with Concordia University is the 3rd school in the world to be certified Gold or better in this new system. This was a huge effort, undertaken fully in-house by a multitude of…
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Bora Begins Work on the Building for Environment & Society at the University of Oregon
08.23.18
The University of Oregon has selected Bora to design a new 60,000 sf interdisciplinary facility that builds upon UO’s long-standing expertise in sustainability and sustainable solutions. The new building will provide over 700 new seats in a series of large, innovative classrooms, and will house faculty and students from the College of Arts and Sciences and…
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High School Talent
08.16.18
Each summer, Bora participates in Summer Works, a paid internship program for young adults from ages 16-24 that connects them to meaningful internships aligning with their interests and providing real world training. This year, we were delighted to host Ben Brandenburger, a student at Portland’s Lincoln High School and a member of its Design Advisory…
Culture
Cracking the Egg – Explorations in Ceiling Design
08.02.18
The new 120,000 square-foot 21st Century Classroom Building at Texas A & M will house over 2200 seats for students and features a variety of unconventional teaching spaces. Among these are several arena style classrooms and a new, egg-shaped learning environment. From the beginning, our design team knew the inside of this 100-seat classroom needed…
Design Research
#QuestionComfort – Design Week Portland Microdocumentary
07.17.18
April seems like so long ago, now that summer is here…Was Design Week Portland just a dream? No! And we have the micro-documentary to prove it. Now you can relive months of hard work and planning, in a satisfying bite-sized package. Enjoy! For more info on this project, take a look at posts here and here.
Culture Design Research
Team Bora Wraps Another Bike-to-Work-Month Challenge
06.01.18
2018 marks the 11th year Bora has participated in Portland’s Bike-to-Work-Month Challenge. Organized by The Street Trust, this annual event encourages Portlanders to dust off their bikes after winter and generates some friendly competition between local businesses. Once again, Borites produced some impressive statistics motivated in no particular order by sustainable living, Friday bagels, physical…
Culture
Bora Takes Home 4 DJC Oregon Top Project Awards
05.18.18
We are honored to have all four of our submitted projects recognized at the annual Top Projects Awards, organized by Oregon’s Daily Journal of Commerce and celebrating excellence in the region’s built environment. Congratulations to the many partners and team members who were part of ensuring these projects’ success! Airbnb CX Hub Expansion – 1st Place…
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Metropolis Recap: Designing Programs and Spaces for Interdisciplinary Learning
05.16.18
Last Wednesday, Bora’s design lab was filled with architects, students, educators, and our wonderful panel moderated by Metropolis’ director of design innovation, Susan S. Szenasy. Principals Michael Tingley and Amy Donohue, together with Jon Dorbolo (Oregon State University), and Linda Wagner (University of Washington), took a deep dive into the ways technology, evolving social habits,…
Culture News
Bora Hosting Metropolis Think Tank Panel on Disruption + Innovation in Academia
05.07.18
Bora is excited to announce that, in partnership with Metropolis Magazine’s Think Tank series, we will be hosting a panel discussion addressing Innovation and Disruption in the Academy. Follow this link to register for the event (seating is limited!), and read on for more information. Motivated by the start-up model and enabled by unprecedented access…
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Design Week Portland 2018 – Success!
04.20.18
After months of planning, designing, sewing, modeling, and trying to get those smocks just right, our event last night was a huge success. We’re working on a micro-documentary of the process, which we will share here soon. But for now, here’s a short highlight reel (courtesy of our documentarian, Kevin Balmer of Diggable Monkey) that…
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Disruptive Design Thinking – Design Week Panel ft. Chris Linn
03.21.18
We know you’ve already got your calendars marked for our big Design Week Portland event “Comfortable? Fabric and the Threshold of Shelter” on April 19, 4-8PM. But that’s not all we’re up to for DWP. Come join us for a rare opportunity to shake up your design strategy with advice from a panel of industry leaders in…
Culture News
Fabric, Shelter, and Collaboration at Design Week Portland
03.15.18
Comfortable? Fabric and the Threshold of Shelter We’ve been scheming for months on something special for Design Week Portland, and we want you to join us! This is a free event, but space is limited, so sign up on eventbright now! What’s this all about, you ask? Read on… Americans have steadily moved away from architecture…
Culture Design Research
Design Develops for Texas A&M’s 21st Century Classroom Building
02.19.18
As our team rounds out the DD phase of Texas A&M’s new 21st Century Classroom Building in College Station, it seems like a good time to share some images! If you’re familiar with our design for Oregon State University’s Learning Innovation Center, you’ll probably notice some family resemblance as you scroll through these TAMU renderings. This 116,000 sf facility,…
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Jeanie Lai Named as Bora’s Next Principal
01.29.18
Bora Architects has named Jeanie Lai as a Principal. A designer with the firm for nearly 10 years, Jeanie has built a portfolio grounded in large academic buildings, collaborative work environments, and spaces for the performing arts. Some of her most recent projects include Oregon State University’s Learning Innovation Center, the University of New Mexico’s…
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First Annual MLK Day of Service
01.15.18
This year on Martin Luther King Day, we closed the office and dedicated our time to two local community programs working to saving lives and protect the environment. Some 45 Boraites joined Red Cross employees as part of the Home Fire Campaign, which seeks to educate households about fire safety and offers installation of smoke…
Culture
‘Tis The Giving Season!
12.24.17
Our annual holiday party was on December 15th, complete with visits from the elf cart, delicious food and drink, and some stylish Boraites dressed in their finest winter threads. Our theme this year was “Fancy” and everyone delivered! But a Bora holiday party would be incomplete without a silent auction. Every year, folks in the…
Culture
Bora Reveals Design for New Fine Arts Center in Plano, TX
12.05.17
Bora Is leading the design for a new Fine Arts Center for the Plano Independent School District in Texas in collaboration with architect-of-record, Perkins + Will. This-83,000-square-foot facility will serve and showcase the talent of students at all PISD schools, with state-of-the-art performance venues for music, theatre and dance as well as exhibition space for…
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Adventures in Custom Table Top Design – Part 2
12.02.17
“Do, Learn, Adjust” is a common refrain in our office. When our minimal surface table top failed to hold after being removed from its frame, the Bassline team quickly decided we needed to stick with the form of our design, and find a way to fabricate it with the tools and materials already present in…
Culture Design Research
Adventures in Custom Table Top Design – Part 1
11.16.17
We love a design challenge. Especially when it means we get to try something we’ve never done before. So when Bora was among 6 firms invited to design a custom table top for Turnstone’s Bassline product line, we jumped into gear. We selected a large rectangular base for our table, and had a week to…
Culture Design Research
Water Avenue Yards and Design Museum Portland
11.03.17
Early this morning, over 80 people gathered at an event space in Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District to drink some coffee, eat some pastries, and listen to Michael Tingley talk about Water Avenue Yards. The event was organized by Design Museum Portland, a nomadic museum that hosts community discussions on topics across diverse disciplines, with…
Culture Design Research
Bora | Ennead Team Unveils Design for University of Oregon’s Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
10.27.17
Today the Bora | Ennead team unveiled the design for the University of Oregon’s Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The Knight Campus is made possible by a $500 million lead gift from Penny and Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, who earned a business degree at the UO in 1959. The $1 billion project is…
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Bora Receives JUST Label
10.24.17
We are proud to be a recipient of the JUST label. This program, run by the International Living Future Institute, recognizes a business’ commitment to transparency, social justice, and equity in its own practices and in relationship to its community. You can see how Bora scored in the label’s 6 categories: Diversity, Equity, Safety, Worker…
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Gov. Kate Brown Signs Education Bill at Faubion School
09.27.17
Faubion has only just opened its doors, and already the new school is making its presence felt in the education landscape of Oregon. Last week, Governor Kate Brown chose Faubion School as the backdrop for signing four education-related bills, including legislation to establish an advisory group that will identify where current statewide social studies fail…
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Global Innovation Exchange is Open!
09.19.17
Last Thursday, Amy Donohue, John O’Toole and I attended the grand opening of the Global Innovation Exchange, along with the rest of our Bora team, and an excited crowd of dignitaries, university representatives, incoming students, and press. The anticipation and delight was palpable as guests experienced the space for the first time, witnessing the first…
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Hovering over Neskowin Beach
08.22.17
One of the great things about having our own beach house is having the folks who stay there send us videos like this one. Courtesy of a recent Bora family excursion, enjoy this drone footage of paradise!
Culture
Mentoring PSU Master of Real Estate Development Students
08.11.17
Along with the work we’ve done on their campus, Bora has had the privilege of partnering with Portland State University as an academic and professional resource since 2012. This summer, we committed to acting as architectural consultants/mentors for a studio class in the Master of Real Estate Development program. The team consists of 6 graduate…
Culture
New Work Starts at Texas A&M and Michigan State University
07.27.17
Bora is excited to commence work on two new projects. Building on the success of the Learning Innovation Center (LINC) the firm designed for Oregon State University, we will be working with Texas A&M in College Station to create a 21st Century Classroom Building for its campus. The project will benefit from a prominent site…
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Emma Abramowitz Inaugurated as IIDA Oregon Chapter President
07.20.17
On July 13, The IIDA Oregon Chapter held its Annual Celebration and Fundraiser, the Picnic Classic. This event doubles as our Annual Meeting and is also our largest fundraiser for the year. We had a great turnout and thanks to ticket purchases, our sponsors and raffle donations, raised funds to continue implementation of the engaging programming…
Culture News
Bora Floats – Surprises + Successes
07.17.17
What a day! The weather was warm and sunny, the river was cool and calm, the waterfront was buzzing with activity, and there was a shaved ice stand. Honestly, what more could you ask for? By all measures, our Fruitloop was a success, even though it didn’t turn out quite how we expected. We had…
Culture Design Research
Bora Hosts Sneak Peak of Airbnb’s Expanded Portland Office
07.12.17
Bora recently teamed up with Airbnb to offer a behind-the-scenes tour of the company’s newly expanded Portland office as part of the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s 2017 “Dine & Design” event series, an annual fundraiser for this non-profit organization. Design Team members Michael Tingley (Principal), Sarah Weber (Interior Designer) and Heather McGinn (Designer) gave a brief…
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Noodlecraft – Testing the Waters
07.08.17
We want our watercraft to have a spatial quality, so that it can be occupied in more than one way. It also needs to stay upright, and safely support multiple people. After churning on some scratch models (physical and digital), and experimenting with how to join and shape pool noodles, we landed on a form…
Culture Design Research
GIX Breakfast – Developing Leaders in Innovation
07.05.17
Are you curious about the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX)? Do you want to learn more about the institutional and industry partnerships shaping this fascinating program? What about how the building’s interiors support learning, collaboration, and cutting-edge problem solving? Join the NAIOP Washington State chapter for breakfast on July 12, and get ready to have your…
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Most Outlandish Watercraft – Materials and Prototyping
07.03.17
The Big Float is rapidly approaching, and the Bora crew has been busy. As an informal LaBoratory initiative, we’ve approached this Outlandish Watercraft challenge as a means of supporting Bora’s culture of making, the integration of craft and technology, and our belief in the power of “artful moments” to bring joy, wonder and delight. In…
Culture Design Research
Future Vision: The Value Proposition for Equity
06.23.17
Bora Principal Amy Donohue and I recently attended this day-long symposium, hosted by AIA Portland and focused on what we, as architectural firms and individuals, can do to promote equity for women and minorities in our industry and workplaces. Saskia Dennis-van Dijl presented the latest 2016 Equity by Design findings where she and her team…
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Surface Into Form: Exhibits + Workshops
06.16.17
Are you looking for some design-oriented activities to spice up your calendar over the next couple months? Are you interested in exploring the interplay of light and simple materials through surface manipulation? Hopefully you answered yes, because that’s what this post is about. Marziah Rajabzadeh, one of Bora’s newest faces, collaborated on this exhibit with…
Culture News
The Big Float – We Love Our Willamette River
06.14.17
We here at Bora are big fans of the Willamette River. In fact, creating improved access to the river was a major component of our Water Avenue Yards design/research effort. Now that the sunshine seems to have stuck, we’re dusting off our swimming suits and getting ready for the 7th annual Big Float on July…
Culture Design Research
Experience the Vista Condominiums
06.13.17
Watching this video (courtesy of our friends at HOYT), it’s easy to forget that the Vista is still under construction. If you can’t resist those views, and you’re looking for that curated Pearl District living experience, just remember units are now selling!
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Support for the Paris Agreement – We Are Still In
06.02.17
Bora recognizes the broad scientific consensus on climate change, and believes that urgent, global action is needed. Despite the recent decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, we remain committed to doing our part in bringing down carbon emissions, and creating environments that are both beautiful and sustainable. For this reason, we have…
Culture
Progress at CU Boulder’s Center for Academic Success + Engagement
06.01.17
We are about halfway through the 14-month construction schedule for CU Boulder’s new Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE), and things are shaping up beautifully. The delivery method is design/build, and we are working with general contractor G.H. Phipps, as well as local executive architects OZ Architecture. The building will centralize undergraduate academic advising…
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Bora Wins When Work Works Award for Second Year
05.18.17
We are honored to be the recipient of a 2017 When Work Works Award for exemplary workplace practices. The award recognizes employers of all sizes across the country that are excelling at offering a variety of top-rated employee initiatives such as work-life fit policies, flexible scheduling, and transition to parenthood programs. The award goes beyond…
Culture News
Airbnb Portland has Expanded
05.11.17
You may already have seen our work at Airbnb Portland’s Customer Experience Hub, but did you know we’ve been busy expanding their space? Well we have, in concert with Airbnb’s Environments team! Consider yourself informed. Featuring conference and meeting rooms based on listings from around the world, artwork created by Airbnb employees, and more custom…
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Exploring 360 Video on the Beaverton Jobsite
04.26.17
After his last visit to the Mountainside High School site, Jeremy Larsen came back with some 360 still photos captured on his phone. It was a great way to experience the project’s scale, and feel more immersed in the space, but a phone camera is still a phone camera. So this time, Jeremy went out…
Culture Design Research
Congratulations New Associates!
04.05.17
Bora Architects is delighted to announce our newest Associates. Project Designer Abe Cambier, RA, has been with us for over a decade. His skill and expertise contributed to the success of projects including the Earlham College Center for Visual and Performing Arts, the Knight Management Center at Stanford University, and the new School of Music…
Culture News
Take a Look Around Beaverton Mountainside High School
04.03.17
Construction is right on schedule at Beaverton’s new Mountainside High School. Bora’s Jeremy Larsen went out for a site visit recently and snagged these great panoramic shots on his phone. Click around and enjoy the scenery, no hard hat required! 1. Commons 2. Auditorium Balcony 3. Media Center 4. Upper Fields
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Gray Magazine Panel Discussion: The Workplace Design Revolution
03.20.17
On March 23, Gray Magazine will be hosting a panel discussion in Portland, looking at the way workplace design is evolving. Bora’s very own Sarah Weber will be a panelist, offering her insights and observations based on deep experience with clients like Microsoft, Airbnb, and Google. I asked Sarah if she had any thoughts about…
Culture News
Bora Receives DJC’s Newsmaker Award
03.17.17
We are pleased to be a recipient of the DJC’s 2017 Newsmaker Award and to have joined many friends for this annual event that recognizes the individuals, private companies, public agencies, and organizations that have had a significant impact on the region’s built environment during the past 12 months.
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Microsoft B83 is T Spain Magazine’s Office of the Week
03.14.17
T Spain, the Spanish edition of the New York Times style magazine, has chosen Microsoft Building 83 as their inaugural Office of the Week feature! We’re thrilled to see this project reaching a broader audience, reinforcing our belief that meaningful design speaks to people across languages and cultures.
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Reimagining Learning Spaces at OSU LINC
02.28.17
It’s been nearly two years since OSU’s Learning Innovation Center opened to students and faculty. Since then, Bora has been working with a team of OSU researchers led by Jon Dorbolo, Associate Director of Technology Across the Curriculum, to gather and analyse the impacts of these cutting edge classroom spaces on learning and pedagogy. This…
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Striving for a Carbon-Neutral Office
02.02.17
For the past eleven years, Bora has been purchasing carbon offsets from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, as part of our sustainable operations action plan. As signatories to the Architecture 2030 Commitment since 2012, we’ve been part of the movement pushing for all new buildings to be carbon-neutral by 2030. Good habits start at home, and…
Culture News
Breaking Ground at the University of New Mexico
01.31.17
Yesterday, leaders from both the University of New Mexico and the city of Albuquerque celebrated the groundbreaking of the new 61,000-square-foot McKinnon Center for Management. Part of UNM’s Anderson School, the new four-story facility will serve as the heart of the School of Business, combining social spaces, student services, advance teaching environments, behavioral research labs,…
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Bora Teams with Ennead on UO Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
01.23.17
The University of Oregon has announced that The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact is moving from idea to reality, with selection of the architectural team that will design the project. We have teamed up with Ennead Architects of New York for the project, after being selected through a competitive selection process. The Bora | Ennead team is a…
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A Rainy Jobsite at Crystal Springs
01.20.17
While Portland was hit with ice and snow last week, the Bay Area was battling a different kind of weather at the Crystal Springs construction site. Fortunately for those in agriculture, the past 8 weeks of seasonal storms have brought relief from years of drought. Less fortunately for folks in construction, continuous downpours make for…
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Progress at Beaverton South Cooper Mountain High School
01.06.17
Construction continues to hum along on the site of the new South Cooper Mountain High School in Beaverton. We were lucky enough to snag this drone footage on a sunny day, courtesy of our friends at Hoffman Construction. Take a look, and enjoy those views!
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Why Bora Advocates for Action on Climate Change
01.01.17
Now that election season has drawn to a close, we’re left with many questions. How will this impact our country, the international community, and the planet we steward? Here is one thing we know: Bora Architects is committed to architecture that reflects our core values socially, ecologically, and economically. From material selection to opening day,…
Culture News
Happy Holidays from the Bora Elves
12.22.16
The Holiday Elf Cart is a long-standing tradition here at Bora. Every year, on the day of the holiday party, our Principals disappear. In their place, a gang of festive elves with unfortunate but forgivable fashion sense wheels around the office, delivering libations to all on the “Nice” list. From the ugly sweaters at Bora, may your days be…
Culture
The Cosmopolitan Shines
12.17.16
To really appreciate the magic of the Cosmopolitan, you have to watch it move and breathe throughout the course of the day. Shifting light, the play of cloud and sky, the life of a building in its context. We think this beautiful film, courtesy of local Portland agency SuperGreat Video, reflects that dynamism and vibrancy….
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Portland AIA Honors Cosmopolitan
11.17.16
The Portland Chapter of the American Institute of Architects honored The Cosmopolitan as part of their annual Architecture Awards. The program celebrates the best work by Oregon architects. To see a full list of winners visit the AIA Portland website.
Culture
Principal Amy Donohue Discusses Discovering Her Voice as an Architectural Designer
11.15.16
Meghan Barrett from Modelo’s Design Manifesto Blog recently talked to Amy Donohue about when she knew she wanted to become an architect, what’s in her design toolkit, and what she sees for the future of the profession.
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Bora Architects Named AIA Northwest + Pacific Region Firm of the Year!
11.07.16
Bora Architects is honored to be the recipient of the 2016 Firm of the Year Award for the AIA Northwest & Pacific Region. This award recognizes not only a consistent pattern of excellence in design, but also a firm’s dedication to extending the boundaries of traditional architectural practice, long record of community engagement, and commitment…
Culture News
Mayor-Elect Ted Wheeler Tweets Water Avenue Yards
10.13.16
In case you missed it yesterday, KOIN 6 News interviewed Bora Principal Michael Tingley as part of a piece on our Water Avenue Yards design research project. They reached out to us following a tweet from Portland’s Mayor-Elect, Ted Wheeler, in which he called our reimagining “stellar.” For more information on the Water Avenue Yards…
Design Research News
Construction Begins on Global Innovation Exchange
09.23.16
Today, we attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) up in Bellevue, WA. This partnership between the University of Washington and Tsinghua University, with support from Microsoft, is generating a lot of excitement in the region – and for good reason! Integrating incubator, studio, makerspace, wet lab, office, presentation space, and informal…
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Portland Makes Metropolis’ Top 10
09.23.16
We love our city. We love living here, working here, biking in the rain, and floating the river on a hot day. Like any major urban center, we have our challenges, and they are not trivial. But Portland’s reputation as a beautiful, liveable city is well-deserved. So although we didn’t expect to see “Stumptown” listed…
Culture
Block 17 Wins MFE Magazine Editor’s Choice Award
09.19.16
Multifamily Executive Magazine, has published its annual apartment industry award-winners, and we’re pleased to announce that out of 370 entries, Block 17 Apartments has been honored with both the Grand High-Rise Award and the Editor’s Choice Award! From the announcement: “What sticks out the most about Block 17 is how much it doesn’t stick out—it…
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Opening Day at OSU Cascades Tykeson Hall
09.13.16
Today marks a shift in the Higher Education landscape of Oregon. We’re excited to announce the grand opening of the new OSU Cascades campus in Bend, OR! As the architects of Tykeson Hall, the first new academic building on campus, we feel privileged to have contributed to this major advancement in educational access in Central…
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Breakthrough Research at Stanford’s Shriram Center
08.11.16
A team of student scientists at Stanford University are making strides in tackling the challenge of antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria. Working out of the Shriram Center for Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, the trio of researchers have been granted $10,000 to carry on with their investigations, and they’re feeling pretty good about the results so…
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Raising Portland’s Skyline on OPB State of Wonder
08.01.16
As Portland continues to grow, our skyline is climbing, and the urban form and fabric is evolving. Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “State of Wonder” took a look at that last week, interviewing a handful of architects for a conversation on how taller buildings are responding to Portland’s needs. The Cosmopolitan is the most current of the…
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Exploring Virtual and Augmented Reality
07.20.16
In recent months, Bora has been exploring new ways of visualizing unbuilt spaces. Revit, Rhino, and other 3D modeling programs have become the industry standards for producing everything from renderings to construction documents, but these tools still fall short of providing fully immersive experiences. There is always a tension between presenting a design concept that…
Culture Design Research
Finley House Featured on Archdaily
06.20.16
We love the Oregon coast. It’s hard to resist the stunning views, the forested cliffs and sentinel lighthouses, and the nestled beaches strewn with pebbles warmed by the summer sun. Even in the winter, when the fog rolls in and the horizon disappears, a day at the coast is a welcome break from Portland’s hustle….
Culture
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center in ArchDaily’s Top 100 Projects
06.09.16
ArchDaily, the world’s most visited architecture website, has just highlighted the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center as a top 100 project! We’re excited to have Bora’s work recognized on the website that is most people’s go-to source for transformative, beautiful architecture. To view the Wagner Noël feature, along with the other projects selected, click here!
Culture
We’re Golden! Sustainability at Work in PDX
05.30.16
We’ve reached the end of another May, which means the end of another Bike More Challenge. After a month of solid cycling, what better way to celebrate than with Gold certification from the City of Portland’s Sustainability at Work program! In order to meet the eligibility criteria for Gold, we needed to disclose information about…
Culture News
Bora Wins “When Work Works” Award
05.19.16
We’re honored to be recipients of this prestigious national award, and proud to be listed along with other Oregon businesses recognized for their policy leadership. We consider our employees to be our greatest asset. Supporting them in their personal lives is critical so they can come to the office ready to do their best creative…
Culture News
OSU LInC Featured in Chronicle of Higher Education
05.10.16
The Learning Innovation Center at OSU has been turning a lot of heads, as colleges and universities begin to rethink large lecture spaces and how to integrate technology with evolving pedagogies. As architects, we believe this shifting paradigm is worth talking about. Good design is critical to progressing the way students learn, the way instructors…
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Governor Kate Brown Pays Bora a Visit
05.09.16
As you may have noticed, we’re strong advocates for paid family leave. We believe it’s the right thing to do for our employees, and we know it has a net positive effect financially as well. So we haven’t exactly been shy about encouraging other businesses to embrace a similar approach. Apparently we’ve been loud enough…
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Airbnb CX Hub gets featured in Spain’s Diseño Interior Magazine
05.02.16
The idea of transcending traditional workplace design, and rethinking the call center environment in particular, has international appeal. We’re thrilled to have the Airbnb CX Hub featured in Diseño Interior magazine, a Spanish publication focusing on exemplary interiors, art, and architecture from around the world. And it’s always nice to be mentioned on the front…
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Design Week Portland Recap: Potential in the Central Eastside
04.25.16
Last Tuesday we hosted a panel as part of Design Week Portland, discussing the current and potential future state of the Central Eastside. With over 70 people in attendance, the event was engaging and lively. The ideas our panelists and audience members brought to the table were thoughtful and challenging, ranging from major infrastructural interventions…
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Center for Parental Leave Leadership Features Bora as Case Study
04.22.16
Since rolling it out last year, we’re continuing to see the benefits of offering paid family leave, and we truly believe that it’s both the right and the smart thing to do for our employees. We’re proud to be featured on the Center for Parental Leave Leadership blog as a case study in how to…
Culture News
A Spin Around the Cosmo
04.18.16
The Cosmopolitan is already an established presence in Portland’s Pearl district, staking its claim as the tallest building in the neighborhood. Take a whirl around the tower and get a drone’s eye view courtesy of Andersen Construction and Horizon Sky Solutions.
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Bora is hosting a Design Week Portland event!
04.14.16
Join us in the Bora Design Lab on April 19th for an in-depth panel discussion about the future of the Central Eastside. Click here for more details and to register for this free event! Central Eastside: Beyond Taking Sides This panel will look at the Inner Eastside as a community unto itself. While numerous private developments are planned…
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Hoyt Block 20 Renderings
04.11.16
Continuing to build on our successful relationship with Portland’s Hoyt Street Properties, Bora has just submitted Block 20 Condominiums for design review. We’re really happy with the way these renderings turned out, and wanted to share. These images are a reflection of the design as it currently stands, but we think they capture the character…
Culture
Groundbreaking at PPS Faubion/Concordia University
04.07.16
This morning, we celebrated the official Faubion School ground breaking with Concordia and PPS. It was an exciting and gratifying moment, and we’re proud of our part in realizing this trail-blazing vision. This new school will do so much to enrich the relationship between Concordia Universtity and Faubion students, families, and community. There was a…
Culture
Portland Monthly features Airbnb CX Hub
04.06.16
Portland Monthly magazine recently published an interview with our own Michael Tingley, discussing the ways in which Bora’s Airbnb CX Hub design breaks the mold of a typical call center. Michael was Principal-in-Charge on the project, and shared his insights into the mission, challenges, and trends he sees in crafting workplaces for the 21st century….
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On Site at the New Beaverton High School
03.15.16
Construction has been underway on Beaverton South Cooper Mountain High School since July 2015, and things are really taking form. We don’t always receive aerial images over the course of a project getting built, but since we have them (thanks to Hoffman Construction and Beaverton School District), we’re sharing. The setting is just stunning, even in…
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Exploring Acoustic Diffusion
03.09.16
We work on a lot of auditoria, theaters, and lecture halls—spaces where acoustics are paramount. Between education and performing arts, much of the work we do involves optimizing an audial connection in large spaces full of excited people. We’re always thinking about how to do it better, but sometimes you have to make study opportunities…
Culture Design Research
Bora is now a four letter word.
02.27.16
Meet Bora Architects. You might recognize us, since we’ve been pretty well known as Boora Architects for a long time. Our legacy of creating meaningful architecture with our clients remains. But we’ve also changed. There’s a fresh optimism in our practice, fueled by a new generation of leaders working together with the most talented staff…
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Uncommon Solutions, Part 2
02.15.16
For the Airbnb CX Hub, ‘uncommon solutions’ was our design mantra. In addressing this, we did several in house tests studying the effect of staining on plywood sheathing, in regards to the creation of color, texture and patterning. Through this, we discovered a white wash mix that not only whitened the soft wood portion of…
Design Research
Uncommon Solutions, Part 1
02.09.16
Each project brings with it a unique set of conditions and its own identity to express through space. To be truly responsive and provide solutions that embody our clients’ identities, missions or brands, we have adopted an exploratory ethos that seeks new possibilities and uncommon solutions in materials and methods. With the use of our…
Design Research
Exploring Building Performance with PSU Students
02.01.16
PSU students help Bora understand actual building performance at three Oregon schools through research collaboration. Since 2012, Bora has participated in a joint research program with the School of Architecture at Portland State University. This program, partly funded through NCARB grants, links students in PSU’s advanced building technology courses with local practitioners to conduct research…
Design Research
Transparency is the New Green
01.30.16
In recent years, building owners and the construction industry have come to recognize that buildings have a significant impact on the health of their occupants. As one example, Dr. Bruce Lanphear created this video, illustrating the effects of toxins on the developing brain. Forward thinkers in design and manufacturing are uniting around the idea that…
Design Research
A Bora Baby Shower!
01.15.16
Bora recently celebrated first time parents-to-be Kate and Johnny with a baby shower in the Design Lab. Guests snacked on homemade treats including caramel corn and cookies, and a small collection of gifts were presented – made possible by generous staff donations. Kate has been with Bora for seven years. Check out the customized baby…
Culture
Bora shares design vision at construction kickoff for new Portland Faubion School
01.15.16
Construction of the new Pre-K-8 Faubion School for Portland Public Schools (PPS) is now underway! And the demolition of three existing buildings has begun. The focus of an innovative partnership between PPS and neighboring Concordia University, Faubion will collocate Concordia’s College of Education within its walls. Concordia students have a strong history of supporting the Faubion community, and this building embraces that…
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The Bora Holiday Party!
01.01.16
Bora hosted our annual Holiday Party and charity auction in the recently completed Literary Arts event space. Designed pro-bono by our wonderful interiors group, it provides a much needed gathering place for Literary Arts’ numerous events and workshops. The evening was filled with laughter and celebration, and one of our staff gave everyone a sneak…
Culture
Airbnb CX Hub wins IIDA Oregon Chapter Award!
12.16.15
Bora’s design of the Airbnb CX Hub in Portland was awarded Best in Category for the Corporate category of the IIDA Oregon Chapter 2015 Design Excellence Awards. Shout out to the Bora team members: Michael Tingley, Eve Fagenstrom, Brad Demby, Sarah Weber, Brett Dunnam, Eric Miller, and Stephanie Taylor. And congrats to our partners on this project,…
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Kinetic Cloud: A Bora Studio Installation
10.15.15
Nestled below the ceiling, Kinetic Cloud consists of hundreds of translucent tetrahedra suspended in a grid. Their points illustrate an undulating pixel field that interpolates the oscillations of two sine waves. Viewers are invited to engage the installation by rotating two hand cranks in either direction, controlling the speed and shape of the field. The Kinetic Cloud moves…
Design Research
A refreshing dip in the Willamette River
09.09.15
As tradition, we closed our office for an all staff field trip this past summer. This year, the group headed down to Corvallis to tour the recently completed Learning Innovation Center at OSU, and made a stop at the Rogue Tasting Room for some refreshments and excellent bbq. Throwing a wrench into the mix, on one of the hottest…
Culture
Bora Adopts Paid Family Leave Policy
06.19.15
Our 65 employees now have access to 6 weeks of paid leave at up to 60% of their salary for maternity and paternity leave, to care for a sick child/parent/spouse, to bereave the loss of a family member, or to mend from a serious personal injury or illness. The United States is one of only…
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