PDXplore
PDXplore is an independent collective of five Portland area architects, landscape architects and urban designers. Over the past several years of their collegiality and friendship, they have worked together to probe some of the more significant urban design issues facing Portland and the region. Their work has exposed preconceptions, forged new understanding and demonstrated design solutions for a more meaningful and livable urban environment.
Rudy Barton
Rudy Barton is a Professor in Portland State University's School of Fine and Performing Arts, where he chaired the Department of Architecture from 1998 to 2005. Rudy received his Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Tulane University. He has served as architectural design critic at Tulane University, University of Oregon, Montana State University, University of Idaho, University of Washington, and University of British Columbia. Rudy has authored numerous refereed publications and curated exhibitions locally, regionally and nationally, including the PDXplore group show at PNCA in 2008. He has contributed guest columns, articles and book reviews to The Oregonian, ARCADE: The Northwest Journal for Architecture and Design, and The Daily Journal of Commerce.
Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA
Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA, is partner-in-charge of landscape architecture and urban design at Mayer/Reed, a Portland-based firm recognized regionally and nationally for design excellence and innovative sustainable design solutions. Carol's 32 years of experience represent a wide array of public and private sector projects, ranging from waterfront and site master planning, to natural water systems, transportation corridors, bridges, urban renewal, parks and recreation, government, corporate and higher education clients.
A Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Carol has served as a board member and secretary of the Architecture Foundation of Oregon. In Portland, she serves on the South Waterfront District Design Review Committee and the EcoDistricts Task Force. Nationally, she has chaired the jury for the American Society of Landscape Architects Awards Program, and is appointed to the National AIA Sustainability Advisory Team and the General Services Administration Peer Review Board.
Mike McCulloch, AIA
Mike McCulloch, AIA, is an architect, urban designer, developer, and a founding member of PDXplore. Mike has been an advocate for design excellence at all levels, from his many years of work as lead designer for building projects in higher education, medicine, social services, and the arts. He served on the Portland Design Commission from 1996 to 2007, the last five years as its chair. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon, and encourages the PDXplore group to look at the community from 40,000 feet, using design resources to affect positive change.
Rick Potestio, AIA
Rick Potestio, AIA, is an educator and the principal at POTESTIO STUDIO: architecture + design in Portland. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon, and a Master of Architecture from Syracuse University. Rick's professional practice has earned him numerous citations, merit and honor awards from American Institute of Architects/Portland Chapter and AIA/Pacific Northwest Region. He currently serves on the City of Gresham Design Commission, Metro's Blue Ribbon Committee for Trails, chairs the Portland-Bologna Sister City Association, and promotes the Rivercity Bicycle Cyclocross Crusade.
Rick's work has been published in numerous local, regional and national publications, from Portland Spaces Magazine to The New York Times. Rick is an Adjunct Professor in Portland State University's Department of Architecture, and has taught at University of Oregon, California College of Arts and Crafts, Oregon School of Design, and the Boston Architectural Center.
Bill Tripp
Bill Tripp is a Portland architect, artist and educator. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Oregon in 1978 and did graduate work at Princeton University. In 1986, Bill received a Fulbright Award and the Ion Lewis Traveling Fellowship to support a six-month study of the architecture of Alvar Aalto in Finland.
Bill started his private practice in Portland in 1991, where he designs houses, churches, memorials, landscape art installations and urban environments. Recent projects include a remodel of Pietro Belluschi's Central Lutheran Church, a Portland historic landmark; and a system of art display panels for Aalto's Mt. Angel Abby Library. Bill also does theatre set design and in 2005, received a Drammy Award for Best Scenic Design from the Portland Civic Theatre Guild.
Bill has taught design, theory and drawing at Oregon School of Design, Portland State University and University of Oregon where he was director of the Portland Summer Studio program. He co-authored with Philip Sylvester an article on teaching drawing to beginning students, published in the Journal of Architectural Education. Bill has presented drawing workshops and lectured at Tulane University, the University of Minnesota and Mount Angel Abbey.