Recently, a crack squad of designers and architects in SERA’s Workplace studio took part in an international design competition that asked competitors to envision different aspects of the return to work in an office building environment. (Spoiler alert: we won.) The specific area that we chose to investigate deeply is the first-floor lobby and shared […]
A connection to nature allows humans to feel safe, healthy, and productive. We design for human experience and take responsibility for making the people who eventually move through our spaces feel those same things. So the topic of biophilia gets a lot of attention at SERA, whether we’re talking about a new building or interior […]
May you live in interesting times. — Dubious blessing of apocryphal Chinese origin As I write this, the US has surpassed 260,000 Covid-19 deaths, Oregon continues to hit grim milestones for new daily records for both cases and active hospitalizations, and new closures and lockdowns, necessary to contain the spread of the virus, are again […]
At SERA, we published our first Sustainability Action Plan (PDF) in 2011, with multiple updates since then. Earlier this year, we published our most recent—and extensive—version, which includes some new topics and a great deal of information about both the latest thinking in the industry, and some of the recent work we’ve done which explores […]
We’re excited to announce that the nonprofit housing group First Community Housing has selected SERA and our partners Lendlease to design and build their most ambitious affordable housing project to date: a 365-unit LEED-Platinum development near the San Jose Diridon Station. Named McEvoy Apartments, the project will be built using an innovative mass timber frame […]
For her capstone university project, SERA designer Lindsey Naganuma collaborated on a library concept for Portland’s Cully neighborhood — one that builds community, celebrates diverse identities, and challenges how residents learn and share information. Her conceptual design is now a 2020 SEED Award winner, recognized by the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), the NAACP, […]
Last week, the IIDA Oregon chapter awarded the Hyatt Centric Portland top honors by naming it the Best in Hotels at the 2020 Design Excellence Awards celebration! Held virtually this year, the event recognized projects and professionals enhancing interior design across the state. Also: IIDA Oregon Recognizes Emerging Professional Laura Kienlen SERA designed the Hyatt […]
Each year, the IIDA Oregon chapter recognizes a junior designer who has advanced interior design in Oregon through their passion for design and persistent reach for excellence. With a groundswell of backing from her colleagues at SERA, IIDA Oregon honored Interior Designer Laura Kienlen with the 2020 Emerging Professional Award! A pivotal member of our […]
The use of mass timber construction is gaining momentum in the US; however, its aesthetic, construction, and sustainability advantages remain largely unexplored for hotels. This is the final entry in our series exploring the development of a realistic, hypothetical mass timber hotel. Don’t miss parts I to III: the developer, architect and operator points-of-view! Spread-eagle […]
This is the third entry in our blog series exploring the development of a realistic, hypothetical mass timber hotel. Previously, we looked at the perspectives of the developer and architect, and next week, we’ll see how mass timber can create a memorable guest experience! Walking into our hotel, I smiled as I scanned the wood […]