((L-R) Trish Nixon (president), Janice Sanada and Michelle Startt | Photo courtesy of LRS Architects)
LRS Grows to Become Largest Female-Owned Architecture Firm in Pacific NW
Woman are building a higher profile in a once male-dominated field, as exemplified by LRS Architects, which has a Bend presence and has grown to become the largest women-owned architecture and interior design firm in the Pacific Northwest.
The milestone came after the addition of Michelle Startt and Janice Sanada to the majority ownership group, joining forces with previous majority owners Trish Nixon, Dan Purgiel and Paul Boundy.
Startt is an experienced licensed architect, and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Certified — a credential for architects who have met rigorous national standards established by the U.S. licensing boards.
A self-confessed “Star Wars fan and board game enthusiast,” Startt says she promotes storytelling throughout the design process and encourages her staff to “take risks and explore innovative solutions,” as part of keeping her team motivated and energized.
With an extensive background as an architect and project manager, Startt is the principal of the Interiors Department and the Office + Workplace Studio, leading a team of talented architects and interior designers in a variety of pursuits. “When I started at LRS Architects over 20 years ago, the industry was very male dominated. I was one of only four women on the architectural staff,” she said. “Since then, the landscape has changed dramatically, and I’m proud to say that LRS Architects is now almost fifty percent female.”
Bolstering that observation, some 40 percent of all U.S. businesses are now owned by women and an increasing number of well-known organizations like IBM and General Motors have appointed female CEOs, as the trend towards women in leadership positions grows. An all-time high of 37 of the companies on the most recent Fortune 500 list are led by female CEOs.
LRS co-owners Sanada and Nixon are both also experienced licensed architects, as well as being NCARB-Certified and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professionals — LEED being the most widely used green building rating system in the world providing a framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings.
Sanada is described as an “exceptionally detailed communicator and polymath” and as a senior living principal since 2013, her passion lies in “creating homes that respect and honor the elderly.” She is known for her client-centric approach, thought leadership and problem-solving abilities continually inspiring her team.
Following her step up to an ownership position, Sanada said, “We look forward to continue building upon the foundation of strong design, client service and our culture of respect, inclusivity and transparency, while growing more flexible as we plan for the future.”
As managing principal and president of LRS Architects, Nixon oversees multifamily and affordable housing projects. She is passionate about sustainability and is the founding principal of the LRS Social Responsibility Committee, which works to create a more diverse and inclusive industry.
When she is not leading committees or helping the community, Nixon enjoys spending time with her three dogs and planning her next national park trip. “Empathy is at the heart of our design process,” she said. “Regardless of project type, understanding the needs of users and creating a process that fosters the exploration of ideas is essential to ensuring that our collaborative designs are flexible and function as intended.”
Marketing Director Maia Hampson plays a key role with LRS, as an organized team leader and problem solver, recognized for having an eye for design and the ability to build consensus.
Hampson said she is passionate about connecting people, companies and the resources that help beneficial relationships grow in a collaborative environment, adding, “We have a variety of studios working in a wide range of sectors and are active primarily throughout the Pacific Northwest, including growing our presence in Central Oregon. “We currently have 132 employees and are proud to have such a strong representation of women within the firm.”
Another valued member of the group is Denise Gorman, who is part of the LRS marketing team supporting the Bend office. She brings a wealth of knowledge and “big picture thinking” having provided marketing communication services for various firms over the last 20 years.
With a background in graphic design, Denise is a self-proclaimed “typography fanatic” which she says stems from her Bauhaus-inspired college professors. Outside of work she enjoys mountain biking, windsurfing, gardening, remodeling and “keeping her college-age kids grounded.”
Founded in 1976 by Bill Ruff and Steve Lee, Startt says LRS was established on “client-centered solutions and a commitment to providing excellent service.” Today, she says the award-winning firm takes pride in designing projects that positively shape human experience through the physical environment and address the needs of everyday life: the spaces and places where people live, work and go about their lives. “We have an incredible team of individuals to carry forward the firm’s design mission,” Startt added. “All our work is derived from our shared sense of mutual respect, our commitment to firm culture and in doing the best work possible for our clients.”
Portland-based LRS made the formal strategic move to establish a foothold in Central Oregon after acquiring Bend-based GL3 Architects, whose owners, Mike Gorman and Jim Landin, have been serving the Central Oregon market for over 30 years.
Over several years prior, LRS and GL3 had been working together on a handful of mixed-use and multifamily housing projects in Bend. Some notable projects include Touchmark Senior Living, 69 Newport Mixed-Use, Canal Commons Affordable Housing, Subaru of Bend, 515 Century Mixed-Use, Solis @ Petrosa Multifamily and Bunkhouse Hotel-Madras.
Nixon said, “We are excited to see our Bend office grow and thrive. Our goal in Bend was to bring a new breadth of diverse project experience to Central Oregon and the firm’s growth since arriving is a great sign for us moving forward.
“Mike and Jim’s accomplishments and experience with high-profile projects in Central Oregon, combined with our existing projects in the area, made this the perfect opportunity for the ongoing success of LRS.”
LRS’ Bend office is located in “The Quad” development off Chandler Avenue, which was formerly home of the Bend Bulletin.
About LRS Architects:
LRS Architects is a forward-thinking architecture and interior design firm based in Bend and Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1976, the award-winning practice is driven by a passion for good design that “goes beyond aesthetics to create vibrant communities and spaces that support the wellbeing of those who inhabit them”. With over 120 design professionals, the firm’s work is centered in the Pacific Northwest, but also found throughout the United States in over 30 states, as well as in China, Canada and Nicaragua. The firm has significant work across a broad range of project types, including senior living and multi-family housing, commercial office and workplace, retail and auto, civic buildings and industrial projects. Recent Portland area senior housing and multi-family work includes the 256-unit, resort-style Touchmark in the West Hills senior living development, and Grant Park Village II, a multi-family development that helped transform a former industrial site into a thriving community. Notable commercial and retail projects include the $15 million, mountaintop Sahale Lodge at Mt. Hood, Oregon and the rebranding and expansion of over a dozen New Seasons grocery stores at various locations in Oregon, as well as more than 80 auto dealership projects located throughout Oregon and Washington. Commercial and workplace projects include the 35,000-square-foot corporate headquarters for Vetsource, while civic work includes the recently completed Wingspan Conference and Event Center in Hillsboro, Oregon.
