(Photo above courtesy of Steele Associates Architects LLC)
Cascade Business News asks Scott Steele, AIA, LEEP AP, president/founder of Steele Associates Architects in Bend: You’re celebrating your 20th anniversary, so how did the firm begin?
“In 1996, after working in a large firm in Portland for 8 years, I returned to my hometown of Bend to found Steele Associates Architects LLC. It was a dream first envisioned in the late ’70s while a student at Bend Senior High School. I was fortunate to have an incredible drafting teacher named Jeff Tuculet who knew I had the skills to be an architect and he guided and inspired me all through high school to pursue it. I think that’s a big reason why I have so much respect for teachers and enjoy designing k-12 and higher education facilities so much. I know firsthand the life changing difference a great teacher can have on a student and after 30 years as a sustainable design architect, what a huge difference a healthy, efficient and inspirational school design can have upon teachers, students and the community.”
What were your initial goals or mission when you started the firm?
“We simply wanted to provide excellent service and design. The large firm I’d worked at in Portland had instilled in me that in addition to great design that a good firm meets budgets and schedules as well. That may seem obvious but it’s one of the most common complaints about architects. Another one of our firm traits is that we work very hard for our clients. Word about our design skill, work ethic and upbeat attitude coupled with technically sound documents and a track record for meeting budgets and schedules increased our clientele rapidly.When we first opened we assumed the initial projects would be small, but were pleasantly surprised when were selected to design significant projects like Mill Point Business Campus, Sisters High School and the Deschutes County Fair & Expo.”
How has your mission evolved over 20 years?
“Our firm motto is, A Bright Future through Brilliant Design and we really believe that. We are creative problem solvers and eternal optimists who know that our attitudes and design solutions can improve our client’s present and future and positively impact entire neighborhoods and communities for generations. Our two decade history of team oriented successful projects and the ability to solve challenges regardless of economic cycles has earned us a long list of loyal clients.”
It seems as though Steele Associates Architects has enjoyed a good measure of success. What do you attribute this to?
“Great opportunities, clients and our Carpe Diem attitude. Our strong collaborative relationship with repeat clients is very fulfilling and affords us long term opportunities and stability. Our people really have a passion for architecture, we revel in collaborating with clients, consultants and contractors and we seize every opportunity to lead a client through a positive design process to a successful project. I just can’t say enough about our people, as they are fabulous and take great care of our clients. Our firm’s senior leadership includes me, Business Manager Chanda Villano, Accounting Manager Olivia Steele and Project Managers Darek Olson and Steve Olson (not related, though we teasingly refer to them as the “Olson Twins”). Design Professionals Adam Stephen and Andy Harmon help senior leadership coordinate the rest of the staff.We are currently bringing on a new project manager, continuing to grow and looking for more talented and passionate design professionals to join our team.
Based upon your projects, website articles and awards you and your firm appear to embrace sustainable design. Is sustainability a big part of your practice?
“It’s at the very heart of our practice and influences all of our designs. Steele Associates Architects in association with Kirby Nagelhout Construction actually brought LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) to Central Oregon. I asked Kirby if he would co-sponsor a workshop to educate people on what LEED was, and of course, being the generous civic minded man he was, he said yes. We invited over 40 public and private individuals to the workshop. After that we designed Midstate Electric the first LEED Certified project in Central Oregon (and the first LEED Gold Certified Electric Utility in the United States), the Steele Associates Building (the first LEED Gold Certified building in Bend), two LEED Certified mixed-use buildings for visionary developer NorthWest Crossing and a slew of LEED and other third party certified sustainable projects throughout the region. We led the way for proven third party certified energy efficient sustainable projects. We felt it was important to cut through the unfortunate greenwash marketing that was claiming energy efficiency and sustainability without any proof. Our sustainable design leadership and expertise has been recognized by the receipt of a Better Bricks Emerging Leader Award (Scott Steele), The Environmental Center’s Sustainable Business of the Year Award, and a past award for being one of Oregon’s Greenest Places to Work and several Commute Options Awards.
What are some of your favorite past projects and why?
“We really enjoy each project, the client relationships, the design process, working with the contractors…all with the shared goal of meeting or exceeding that particular client’s goals and needs. In terms of major positive impacts in Central Oregon and each community a short list of public projects would include Silver Rail Elementary, Sisters High School, Madras City Hall & Police Station, Sisters City Hall, Midstate Electric, Deschutes County Fair & Expo, USFS Bend Pine Headquarters, Crook County Health Department, Bowman Museum remodel, COCC Madras, Erickson Aircraft Collection, Deschutes County Courthouse and Sheriff’s office remodels, COCC/OSU Open Campus, BMC Surgery Center, and all the local school and higher education addition and modernization projects we’ve done. On the private sector side due to how they have benefitted the economy and community Hydro Flask, Franklin Crossing, 919 Bond, Mill Point, St. Clair Place, COPA Center for Pediatric Excellence, Orion Eye Center, The Hanes Building, Clark Dental, Aircraft Rubber/Fuel Safe Systems, Bend Tarp & Liner, St. Charles Central Admitting Remodel, Mt. Bachelor Assisted Living & Memory care Residence.
What type of projects are you currently working on?
“Our current project types include education (including Bend-La Pine School District – a wonderful client), mixed-use/retail, master planning, restaurants, senior housing, multi-family housing, tech, aviation, manufacturing, light industrial, hospitality, public, interiors, office/commercial and custom homes. We enjoy the broad range of projects. It keeps things interesting and much of the expertise we develop in one type is often applicable and valuable to another, such as our hi-tech and manufacturing experience being valuable when we design schools with STEM/STEAM programs.”
Is your work primarily in Central Oregon, or do you provide services in other areas as well?
“While the majority of our work is here, our service region includes the western and southwestern states, and our out of region work is increasing. Our non-local work includes projects elsewhere in Oregon, Montana and Arizona. We are also currently looking at new projects in California, Washington and Utah. We take exceptional care of our clients and that includes designing projects in any location or state they want us to work in.
You mention the importance of giving back and community service on your website. Can you tell us a bit about that?
“We have been very fortunate and we believe it is our responsibility to serve and give back to our community. We have served and supported a number of organizations and activities such as Rotary, the Lions, City Club of Central Oregon, Architects in Schools, SMART, the Education Foundation, local city chamber of commences, Boy Scouts, REDI, etc. We also have donated cash and pro-bono services to many charitable organizations over the years. We encourage our people to get involved in community service activities they are passionate about and then help support their efforts.
It sounds like you’ve had two great decades, so what does the future hold for Steele Associates Architects? “We have been blessed and fortunate and we believe the future holds even greater opportunities to nurture existing relationships, forge strong new ones, enhance lives and communities through brilliant design and give back to Central Oregon. We love it, we thrive on it and we look forward to it.”
Steele Associates Architects LLC 541 382 9867 www.steele-arch.com
A Bright Future through Brilliant Design
