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.
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
Forbes Top 200 Architects
December 2024-January 2025
Corollary in Arch Record
Hospitality Issue, August 2024
Innovation By Design Award
Fast Company—Buildings and Spaces Category
American Architecture Award
Chicago Athenaeum
Top 50 Firms for Interiors, N. America
AN Interior
December 2024-January 2025
Corollary in Arch Record
Hospitality Issue, August 2024
Innovation By Design Award
Fast Company—Buildings and Spaces Category
American Architecture Award
Chicago Athenaeum
Top 50 Firms for Interiors, N. America
AN Interior
Mississippi in Metropolis
Products Issue, June-July 2024
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
Products Issue, June-July 2024
Emerging Voices Award
Architecture League of New York
International Design Vanguard
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
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
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
Featured Speaker
May 2018
AIA Arkansas Design Conference
Featured Speaker
October 2017
Portland State University, School of Architecture
"Clarity" Lecture
January 2017
Events
Upcoming:
Equinox | Eola-Amity Hills AVA Celebration
@ Zenith Vineyards
March 16, 2024
WildCraft Studio @ Waechter Workshop
February–June 2024
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
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