Beaverton Placemaking

Reenergizing a city’s core to create a destination

Beaverton is a culturally diverse part of the Portland metro area and has a rich urban fabric. Scott Edwards Architecture has completed more than 20 projects here, helping to reenergize the city’s core. Many of our projects have been storefront and tenant improvements for small businesses, and because of the area’s inherent diversity, this work has contributed to a unique selection of options for patrons.

Beaverton’s existing stock of buildings is an interesting mix and includes historic and midcentury. This texture, plus a highly walkable grid structure to the streets, make neighborhood activation possible. Our designs incorporate visual interest, create an approachable street presence, and overlay a contemporary sensibility to the area’s older urban fabric. By updating and filling in pieces, we’ve worked toward making a more vibrant and energetic destination.

The City of Beaverton has been instrumental in the success of this revitalization. Through a storefront improvement program, small businesses can access seed money for building updates. The City hosts two outreach events a year that provide information and resources for business owners, encouraging a fertile environment for growth. We attend these events and offer “5 minutes with an Architect” where we learn about the building from the business owner and sketch up some ideas for potential improvements on the spot.

Here in Beaverton, our placemaking work continues, and we look forward to continuing to connect the community and strengthen the vibrant economic core.