Studio at Waechter Architecture | Portland, Oregon

At Waechter Architecture (WA), we are strong believers in the ability of architecture to heighten and inform the experience of community and landscape. We feel an instinctual draw to places that contain a distinct character and coherence. These are the environments in which we feel most alive, awake, and present; where the relationship of elements is apparent and intertwined.
Throughout our work, we seek to sensitively respond to the unique conditions and character of a site to discover and evoke a similar sense of clarity. Identifying and preserving existing relationships is a key foundation to every project we work on and allows us to create new spaces for inhabitation, conversation and engagement that invigorates the latent potential of a place. This process of examination, understanding, and distillation transforms complex criteria and design problems into simple, bold, and concise solutions.
More than anything, we learn from each other. At WA we strive to build a culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the voice of every employee. We work to be an office that is inclusive and values varied viewpoints and considerations. We believe that when people feel respected and included they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. We are committed to staying engaged in the practice of equity. This work fuels our design and connects us closer to our clients and the communities we serve. We strive to stay open to each other's ideas and feedback while also being decisive, productive, forward-moving, and action-oriented.
AWARDS
Recipient FAIA, 2022
Ben Waechter
Winner
Gray Awards, Commercial Architecture Category, 2021
Project: Blu Dot
Longlist
Dezeen Awards, 2021
Project: The Society Hotel Bingen
Longlist
Dezeen Awards, 2021
Project: Blu Dot
Finalist
Architizer A+ Awards, 2021
Project: The Society Hotel Bingen
Design Excellence Award (in collaboration with Jones Architecture)
Portland Design Commission, 2020
Project: Northbound 30
Editors Pick
Gray Awards, 2020
Project: The Society Hotel Bingen
Winner
Architects Newspaper Best of Design Awards - Commercial Hospitality Category, 2020
Project: The Society Hotel Bingen
Honorable Mention
Architects Newspaper Best of Design Awards - Retail and Mixed-Use Commercial, 2020
Project: Blu Dot
Third Place
Daily Journal of Commerce, Top Projects Award, 2020
Project: Blu Dot
Honor Award
AIA Oregon Architecture Awards, 2020
Project: The Society Hotel Bingen
Merit Award
AIA Oregon Architecture Awards, 2020
Project: Origami
Citation Award
AIA Oregon Architecture Awards, 2020
Project: Blu Dot
Merit Award
AIA NW & Pacific Region Awards, 2020
Project: Blu Dot
Merit Award
AIA NW & Pacific Region Awards, 2020
Project: Origami
Commercial - Hospitality Architecture Award
The Architect's Newspaper Best of Design Awards, 2019
Project: Furioso Vineyards
Housing - Multi Family Honorable Mention
The Architect's Newspaper Best of Design Awards, 2019
Project: Origami
Commercial Architecture Award
Gray Magazine Awards, 2019
Project: Furioso Vineyards
The American Architecture Award
The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, 2019
Project: Furioso Vineyards
Emerging Voices Award
The Architectural League of New York, 2019
Honor Award
AIA NW & Pacific Region Awards, 2018
Project: Furioso Vineyards
Honor Award
AIA NW & Pacific Region Awards, 2018
Project: Milwaukie Way
Honor Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2018
Project: Furioso Vineyards
Merit Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2018
Project: Slender House
Citation Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2018
Project: The Society Hotel Bingen
Design Vanguard
Architectural Record, 2016
Residential Architect Design Award
Architect Magazine, 2016
Project: Tower House
Merit Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2016
Project: Oakley House
Merit Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2016
Project: Pavilion House
Citation Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2016
Project: Sawtooth
Citation Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2016
Project: Red House
Citation Award
AIA NW & Pacific Region Awards, 2015
Project: Pavilion House
Honor Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2015
Project: Garden House
International Special Mention Award
Architizer A+ Awards, 2015
Project: Tower House
Citation Award
AIA NW & Pacific Region Awards, 2014
Project: Tower House
Merit Award
Custom Home Magazine, 2013
Project: Oakley House
Honor Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2011
Project: J-Tea
Citation Award
AIA Portland Awards, 2011
Project: Tower House
LECTURES/EXHIBITIONS
University of Miami School of Architecture, Symposium: Mass Timber, So What Now?
"The Case for All-Wood" Lecture, April 2022
Woodbury University
"Clarity" Lecture, March 2022
AIA Idaho Awards Juror and Speaker
"Clarity" Lecture, September 2021
AIA Nebraska Awards Juror and Speaker
"Clarity" Lecture, September 2021
Portland CSI, Regionalism
Speaker; March 2021
University of Nebraska, SCH + Dri-Design Student Competition
Juror; April 2019
The Architectural League of New York, Emerging Voices Lecture Series
"Clarity" Lecture, March 2019
University of Washington, Department of Architecture
"Clarity" Lecture, Nov 2018
AIA Florida, Sarasota Design Conference
"Making Architecture"
Exhibition, May 2018
AIA Florida, Sarasota Design Conference
Featured Speaker, May 2018
AIA Arkansas Design Conference
Featured Speaker, October 2017
Portland State University, School of Architecture
"Clarity" Lecture, January 2017