Alberta Alive Completion /  by Access Architecture

Link to project article: https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2023/09/20/52-apartment-complex-opening-in-northeast-portland.html

We are deeply appreciated to have been entrusted The Herndon and The Knauls buildings. There was a tremendous amount of listening and learning done by the design team. We’re proud to know these buildings will be integral to the King neighborhood and N/NE Portland. You can learn more at the websites of Self Enhancement, Inc.: https://www.selfenhancement.org/albertaalive and Community Development Partners: https://www.communitydevpartners.com/communities/alberta-alive/



Access is Carbon Negative! /  by Access Architecture

We are officially a carbon negative office! Environmental responsibility is a core value of Access. While reducing usage and waste as an office is our primary objective towards combating climate change, we have committed to offsetting the rest (and then some) through initiatives offered by Carbonfund.org Foundation. This commitment is in alignment with so many of our firm principles, as we know, for example, that climate justice is also racial justice.

Accomplished & Under 40 /  by Access Architecture

We are very proud to share that Access Architecture's founder and Principal, Brendan Sanchez, AIA, has been named to the Vancouver Business Journal's Accomplished and Under 40 Class of 2021! As nominator Tim Foley, Executive Director for Second Step Housing states, "(Brendan) possesses all the qualities necessary for community leadership: diligence, commitment, conviction, and dedication to improving the world around him. Brendan is a steady hand – he always shows up, he is always prepared, and he is focused on the work." Please join us in congratulating Brendan on this accomplishment!

Nichiha Case Study: Trauma Informed Design /  by Access Architecture

Earlier this year our Principal, Brendan Sanchez sat down with a representative from Nichiha, the fiber cement siding manufacturer for The Elwood to share his thoughts on Trauma Informed Design. Nichiha published this case study weaving together information on the “why” behind our outcomes-based design model as well as specifics on how to design in a trauma-informed way. The outcome is a useful resource both for designers and students of trauma-informed practices and we are proud to share it with you here.

https://www.nichiha.com/docs/Nichiha-CaseStudy-Trauma-Informed-Design.pdf

The Elwood Video Tour /  by Access Architecture

Learn about The Elwood's trauma-informed design through this amazing video created by Council for the Homeless, Housing Initiative, and ZP Productions! We're so grateful to have been a part of this life altering project with what was truly an amazing team

Sustainability Update /  by Access Architecture

Sustainability Update: The latest energy modeling results for our 72-unit senior housing project shows a 45% reduction in energy usage over the national median (35% over regional median). By using measures like HRVs, high performance windows, increased insulation, and Energy Star appliance, we are making progress towards our AIA 2030 Commitment. Equally as important, it means residents will save money by paying lower utility bills.

Energy modeling performed by Brightworks Sustainability.

Villas EUI.JPG

Black Lives Matter /  by Access Architecture

We unconditionally condemn the senseless murders of George Floyd, those before him, and of racism and hate in any of its forms. What we need as a nation now more than ever is action inspired by Love. And in order to love, you must be willing to listen deeply and with vulnerability. You must be willing to face hard truths and take accountability. We are committed to approaching each day with vulnerability, open eyes, open ears, and open arms. Through vulnerability we can begin real dialogue and take real action towards dismantling systemic racism. BLACK LIVES MATTER.

Action Inspired by Love.jpg

Year 1 at Access /  by Access Architecture

Year 1 is in the books! We are so humbled by the meaningful partnerships we've created over the last year, which has given us the opportunity to collaborate on a variety of projects with truly great people.Informed design, sustainability, and commun…

Year 1 is in the books! We are so humbled by the meaningful partnerships we've created over the last year, which has given us the opportunity to collaborate on a variety of projects with truly great people.

Informed design, sustainability, and community engagement continue to be a focus of the firm, and we're excited to further refine our Outcome-Based Design process.

A sincere thank you to all of those that have offered support, guidance, expertise, and trust. We couldn't have done it without every single one of you, and we're excited for the year ahead!

Landscape Design Approach /  by Access Architecture

At Access Architecture, we believe in outcome-based design. That is, before you put pen to paper, what is it that the architecture hopes to achieve? And what empirical evidence is there to support the methods by which to achieve it? In this sense, our design process involves reverse-engineering. Since our mission is focused on fostering meaningful connections, here is an example. We are working closely with Ecotone Environmental on The Elwood to craft a variety of outdoor spaces. Some more private and sheltered, others more expansive for larger activities. This approach is based in cognitive neuroscience:

"The greater a city dweller's access to greenery, light, and open spaces, the better she will solve problems and understand and take in new information... All this translates into improved psychological well-being and better interpersonal relations. And there's more. Residents lucky enough to live in a housing development surrounded by vegetation - trees, grass, flowers - enjoy and maintain stronger social ties with their neighbors; they enjoy a sense of community more robust than the residents in similar buildings lacking in these natural features." - Welcome to your World, by Sarah Williams Goldhagen.

Progress rendering of the landscape design at The Elwood

Progress rendering of the landscape design at The Elwood

Meals on Wheels Tuesdays /  by Access Architecture

People matter more than architecture, but the two are interdependent. After all, some of the most revered architecture was crafted with the human experience in mind. Architecture is merely a vessel, and a means. There is a multitude of ways in which we can highlight the human condition and facilitate meaningful connections.

Tuesday mornings are Meals on Wheels delivery days for Brendan. Meals are brought to seniors for whom these deliveries are often their only source of real human interaction during the day. Volunteering in this way is a win-win. Friendships have been forged, and the knowledge gained from listening to our senior citizens is priceless.

We all have busy lives. But if you make the time to give back, you’ll find that what you receive in return is worth far more than the time given.

Meals on Wheels