Architecture Foundation of Oregon

10/28/2026

For a quarter century, Van Evera Bailey (VEB) Fellows have followed their curiosity and expanded their knowledge and practice through a myriad of projects. They have traveled extensively internationally, dived deep into the rich cultural history of the PNW region, and provided invaluable insights to the public.

We invite you to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the VEB Fellowship with us at a vibrant showcase of past fellowships on November 12. Fellows will present lightning talks, engage in a dynamic discussion, and exhibit artifacts from their projects and research. We will hear about the collective, diverse impact this fellowship has had on the individuals, the industry, and our community as a whole.

Register now: https://conta.cc/4yVmq9U

Thursday, November 12
Design Portland, J.K. Gill Building
408 SW 5th Ave, Portland
5:00-7:30pm

10/26/2026

Marta’s VEB Fellowship culminated in a roadmap advancing train repurposing as a scalable model for social justice and sustainable development. Through case studies and site visits at home in Portland and abroad in the UK and Italy, she explored how retired rail cars can be transformed into sustainable, community-serving infrastructure. With a comprehensive how-to-guide in development, her research continues through AfroFuturism Oasis, a sanctuary and resilience hub transforming a retired MAX train in Portland’s Albina neighborhood into a culturally rooted space for Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color.

“The Fellowship marked a turning point in my career. It gave me the space to step back from the pace of traditional architectural practice and think more honestly and broadly about where I wanted my work to sit in the world, and what responsibilities come with it.”

10/22/2026

2026 Honored Citizen moments. Photo credit: Andrea Lonas Photography.

View the event gallery: https://conta.cc/4BzPPZd

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting our event!

Event Sponsor: Hennebery Eddy Architects

W**e Sponsor: King Estate

Media Sponsor: DJC Oregon

Supporting Sponsors: Andersen Construction, Bora Architecture & Interiors, Holst Architecture, Integrus Architecture, JH Kelly, Kelley Create, KPFF, The Library Foundation, OEG, PAE, Skanska, Solus, Turner Construction Co, ZGF Architects

10/21/2026

Join us at a launch party for the 2026-27 season of the Formation Mentorship program! You can expect a fun evening getting to know the college students and professionals of Portland's vibrant design community. Mix, mingle, and build your network across design fields from graphic design to architecture to product design to experiential design, and many more...all while helping us kick off our third year of Formation.

Formation is a mentorship program supporting the next generation of designers of color in the transition from student to professional. The program matches BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color) college design students with BIPOC design professionals who will provide guidance on next steps from portfolio review to interview support to career trajectory.

All are welcome for this exciting kick-off event: Black, Indigenous, people of color, and our White allies. Begin, build, and reconnect with your network—students and professionals alike!

Tuesday, November 10
5:30-7:30pm
Hyphn, Portland
Register: https://conta.cc/3WBqvSg

Formation is a collaboration between Diversity in Design, the Architecture Foundation of Oregon, and COMMA.

10/19/2026

AFO VEB Fellows Kayin and Cleo are educators, social construct artists, and cultural architects whose work centers Black culture, community, and the built environment. Building on their work with Albina Vision Trust, they used the VEB Fellowship to research and develop the Albina Monument Plan. The plan explores how monuments can honor and sustain Black belonging while creating a network of living histories for historic Black Portland’s Albina community.

“At the root of the Albina Monument Plan, we see design as a tool for education and movement towards a better future.”

10/15/2026

Calling all Oregon women in architecture! Apply for the Pat Sanchez Women’s Fellowship by Sunday, October 25!

The fellowship, offered in partnership with Opsis Architecture, is available to women who are mid-career and seeking to grow professionally, particularly in areas related to firm leadership and management. The fellowship offers up to $3,000, which can be used to attend professional conferences, college-level coursework, or specialized seminars that support advancement in key areas of architectural practice. These may include firm management, leadership, business development, design, and other facets of the profession.

Applicants are asked to submit a professional resume and a written proposal of one page in length outlining their intended use of the fellowship funds as well as a clear budget for the proposal, and how the experience will support their long-term professional goals.

Learn more and apply: https://conta.cc/477Skoa

10/14/2026

Jonathan utilized his VEB Fellowship to explore how thoughtfully designed infill housing could transform Portland’s underused alleyways. Through travel and firsthand study of small-scale housing in London and Kyoto, he developed prototype designs tailored to Portland’s lots and narrow alleys that transform these underutilized spaces into vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environments. The fellowship continues to shape Jonathan’s work, leading to teaching and lecture opportunities, new professional connections, and several infill housing projects in development.

“The Fellowship reconnected me with many of the joys and passions that inspired me to become an architect in the first place. It provided a confidence boost and a renewed sense of purpose for which I am grateful.”

10/13/2026

This video tribute by Jacob Pander of Collaborator Studios captures the magic of Vailey’s influence in Oregon. It debuted at our 2026 Honored Citizen celebration for Vailey on October 8 at Hyatt Regency Portland.

Vailey Oehlke, retired Executive Director of Multnomah County Library, spent 15 years ensuring our libraries remained relevant, inclusive, and deeply connected to the people who need them most. As we celebrate the completion of the historic 2020 library bond, we honor her legacy of hyper-inclusive community design, sustainability, and architectural excellence. Watch the full tribute to see how her tenacity shaped the second busiest library system in the nation.

A tribute to AFO's 2026 Honored Citizen, Vailey Oehlke.Video by J...

10/12/2026

For architect and artist Todd Lawson, the VEB Fellowship laid the groundwork for a lifelong exploration of Indigenous architecture, cultural landscapes, and tribal history. Through his fellowship research into Northwest Coast plank houses, North Oregon Coast art traditions and the Neacoxie village site near Seaside, Todd deepened his understanding of Indigenous building traditions and cultural identity. Today, that work continues through his involvement in designing a new cultural center, museum, and traditional longhouse on the Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes’ reacquired land near Seaside, Oregon.

“The research continues to inform my professional practice, artistic work, and ongoing efforts to support cultural preservation and revitalization within my tribal community.”

10/09/2026

Join the team from Holst that helped bring the extraordinary vision for a new kind of library to life in Gresham.

The East County Library is arguably the most exciting new library in the Multnomah County Library system, providing new resources and programs across its 95,000 square feet. The mass timber building’s stunning design blends with the natural landscape creating a thoughtful space that will serve community members for generations. You’ll hear from library leadership and Holst Architecture about the goals for the new library and the design features that make it sing. Tour the library and enjoy light appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages.

Hosted by Holst Architecture.

Wednesday, October 28
5:30-7:30pm
Multnomah County Library – East County, Gresham

Register: https://conta.cc/4hCwEV7