Our Studio



Established in 2008, Waechter Architecture is a full-service architecture, planning, and design firm with a growing and critically acclaimed body of work across a range of scales and project types.

Our inclusive and common-sense design approach levels the playing field and invites everyone to share in a deeper understanding of the art of building. We work with all stakeholders to identify essential needs and insights, and to forge a vision that will lead to enduring and responsive solutions. More than anything, we learn from each other as we strive to build a culture that sees our clients and communities as equal partners in the design process. We stay open to new ideas and feedback while being decisive, pragmatic, economical, and action-oriented.

Waechter’s work and design ethos are increasingly felt across our region and nationwide: In 2019, the Architecture League of New York recognized the firm with its Emerging Voices Award, and in 2022, Waechter Architecture received the prestigious Firm Award from AIA Northwest & Pacific Region. The award is in recognition of our design leadership, inclusive culture, and engagement in pressing issues, from the need to create more sustainable and resilient architecture, to the call to ensure that the benefits of good design and placemaking are accessible to all.


Waechter Architecture is a certified Emerging Small Business (ESB) in the State of Oregon. We hold professional licenses in the states of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Michigan, and North Carolina, and are willing to be registered in any state or jurisdiction to support our clients and the communities they serve.



Select Awards, Press, and Recognition



Mississippi in Metropolis

Products Issue, June-July 2024

Emerging Voices Award

Architecture League of New York


Architizer Vision Award
Architizer—Architect / Creator Category



International Design Vanguard
Architectural Record



Best in Practice Award
The Architect’s Newspaper—Small Firm, Western US

Lectures



Upcoming / Available for Download:

Designing and Constructing the All-Wood Building
Think Wood / SLB / USDA Webinar (link)


Alaska Design Forum - Ben Waechter
November 4-6, 2024



Past:

AIA Iowa Keynote Speaker - Ben Waechter
September 24, 2024

Year-End Symposium at Miller Hull Partnership
with Christopher Hawthorne, Walter Hood & David Baker
San Diego, CA
December 2022


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




Events


Past Events:

Portland Winter Light Festival
With: GoodBeast
February 2-10 2024


SELA Series

With: The UPRISE Collective
November 2-16, 2023


Courtyard Concert
With: Stephanie Schneid & Tony Furtado
July 8, 2023


Courtyard Concert
With: “Cyane Sheers”
June 24, 2023


Courtyard Concert

Third Angle Music presents: Bora Yoon
June 15, 2023


Timber Talk: Designing the Forest
With Lindsey Wikstrom
March 2023

Timber Talk
With Laila Seewang, Jon Heppner, Mark Fretz, Ben Janes, Samuel Wylie
February 2023


Courtyard Concert
With: “Portland Sacred Harp”
October 2022

Courtyard Concert: Beacon Sound
With: “Strategy”, “Location Services”, “Brianna Sas”
October 2022

Waechter Summer Party
Public opening of the Mississippi Building
July 2022