Portland is blessed not only with many vibrant older neighborhoods, but a unique non-profit dedicated to the mission of historic preservation. Check out their educational programs, home tours, and exhibits.

If you own a home in Portland, or are considering buying one, hopefully you already know about this database. It is one of the first tools I turn to in researching a potential project. Other jurisdictions have similar, if more limited, resources providing site and zoning information.

Portland has a wealth of information online addressing specific types of residential projects. Unfortunately, what you want to know may well be buried on their current website. Good old Brochure 9, for instance, spells out what is and isn't allowed in remodeling attics and basements. You can download a pdf by scrolling down to the very bottom of this section. The ADU Code Guide is another valuable document I commonly refer to. Other jurisdictions have similar rules and programs. A big part of what I do as an architect is to help guide homeowners through the relevant regulations and decision points that will impact their project.

As my knowledge and experience of sustainable building practices continues to grow, so does my sense of their overwhelming importance. I completed nine months of classwork, projects, and final exam to receive the Sustainable Building Advisor certification back in 2009. Much of what was then cutting-edge has now been written into Oregon's residential building code. Still, the process of guiding homeowners to make wise choices, and contractors to build in a way that successfully marries building science and existing conditions, remains a complex one. Over the years, I've done extensive coursework through Earth Advantage and other providers to stay abreast of emerging technologies and evolving best practices. BetterBuilt Northwest, Green Building Advisor, BuildingGreen, Inc., Building Science Corporation: all these organizations are important sources of information and advocacy. My goal, always, is to help homeowners make wise decisions in creating comfortable, healthy, resource-efficient homes.

I joined the Oregon Remodelers Association in 1998, when In-House Architecture was just a fledgling business. I find it a good place to connect with contractors, suppliers, and other professionals who are also in the business of improving people's homes. The association was renamed in 2017 to emphasize its affiliation with the national group, NARI. In recent years, I've primarily been active in the Codes Committee, which tracks and sometimes influences the latest changes to local building and zoning codes that govern residential construction.