Approach
Legacy
Sustainability
Equity
Recognitions
Approach

FFA Architecture and Interiors is a full-service design firm providing award-winning expertise in architecture, planning, and interior design. Since 1956, our practice has been focused on developing architecture that is timeless, beautiful, and sustainable. FFA is proud of this tradition and its legacy of thoughtful, contextual projects throughout the Pacific Northwest region.

We understand that architecture is fundamentally for people. It is a quiet backdrop in our lives that when done with care, has the power to enrich and inspire. Because of this, we work to craft buildings and spaces designed around the people who use them.

With a focus on architecture and interiors, FFA designs collaboratively with our clients. We work to harness the power of our collective experiences to deliver not only thoughtfully crafted projects, but an innovative and interactive process for the entire team. Our goal is to create environments where people are empowered by the potential of design.


 
Legacy

In 1955, William Fletcher started a private architectural practice in his basement. The following year, he established an office in a house near downtown Portland at SW 14th and Columbia, sharing space with several other architects who became known as “The 14th Street Gang.” So began the firm which is now FFA Architecture and Interiors, Inc.

Throughout his career Bill paid careful attention to even the smallest details of his projects. Every aspect of his building design was organized and thought-out, working together to create a harmonious whole. Bill was actively involved in his projects until the day before his death. He was a true gentleman and passionate about architecture. His spirit continues to inspire the work of the firm that he founded over sixty years ago.

A pen and ink drawing of a mid-century home surrounded by trees.
 
Sustainability

Sustainability is central to FFA’s work and culture. It is considered the basis of good design rather than supplementary to our process. FFA is committed to thoughtful stewardship of our natural and built environments through a careful consideration of balancing environmental, cultural and economic resources today so they may persist for future generations. To see more information about FFA’s sustainability policies, check out our Sustainability Action Plan.

FFA employs practical innovation toward achieving stringent sustainability goals that are tailored to each project.  Our methodology is strongly rooted in place and vernacular understanding.  We look for architectural solutions that respond to the particular site and functional purpose of each project while capitalizing on synergistic strategies.  Building on timeless techniques and practices, we also seek innovative solutions to create buildings that perform, are durable, resilient, and inspiring.

Exposed mass timber construction detail from the corner of a high wall. Light is streaming in and reflecting warmth in the wood.
 
Equity

Equity work, and the process of making it an integral part of our firm, our culture, and our work is important to FFA. We are committed to our staff, our clients, and our community that we are actively making equity a priority. We recognize there are systemic inequities built into our profession that need to be confronted and we want to be an example in our industry of how to elevate and integrate equity work into architecture and interior design. FFA is in the business of problem solving and we know that our best solutions come from engaging and collaborating with people of diverse perspectives and experiences. We want that diversity to be reflected within our own office and in the spaces, we create so people feel not just welcome, but that they belong. This endeavor is not one that can be tackled overnight, but we have made significant strides in the right direction through things like establishing an equity committee, providing staff training, and hosting firm discussions. With the Equity Strategic Plan in place, we have set goals and can hold ourselves accountable to achieve meaningful and measurable progress to a more equitable, just, diverse, and inclusive community.

Téjara Brown leading a firm-wide session to gather input from staff on equity goals, actions, and timelines
 
Recognitions

2024

AWARDS

Sunrise Water Authority Administrative and Field Operations Facility, 2024 DJC Top Projects Award

Forest Grove City Hall Renovation & Expansion, 2024 DJC Top Projects Award

Monmouth City Hall, 2024 DJC Top Projects Award

Monmouth City Hall, 2024 Engineering-News-Record (ENR) Northwest Best Projects, Award of Merit

2023

AWARDS

Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Complex, 2023 WoodWorks Wood Design Award for Regional Excellence

Eugene Farmers Market Pavilion, 2023 DJC Top Project of the Year for Arts, Culture and Entertainment

2022

AWARDS

Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Complex, 2022 DJC Top Secondary and Vocational Training Project

2021

AWARDS

Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Complex, 2021 IIDA Oregon, People’s Choice Award for Design Excellence

2020

AWARDS

Robert Libke Public Safety Building, Sustainable Forestry Initiative Award – Wood Design & Building Awards

2019

AWARDS

Industrial Home Building Rehabilitation, International Masonry Institute and AIA Oregon Chapter, Citation Award for Seismic Upgrade Design

2018

AWARDS

Redmond City Hall and Civic Center, DeMuro Award for Excellence in: Preservation, Reuse, and Community Revitalization

PUBLICATIONS

Library! at Bown Crossing, ArchDaily Publication

The Fair-Haired Dumbbell, ArchDaily Publication

The Fair-Haired Dumbbell, Wood Design & Building Publication

2017

AWARDS

The Fair-Haired Dumbbell Mixed-Use Development, Portland Business Journal Commercial Real Estate Transformer Award

Redmond City Hall and Civic Center, Oregon Heritage Excellence Award

Oregon Supreme Court Exterior Rehabilitation, DeMuro Award for Excellence in Preservation Re-Use and Community Revitalization

PUBLICATIONS

Smith Optics Design Studio Headquarters, ArchDaily Publication

2016

AWARDS

Regional Utility Provider, Portland Service Center Office Rehabilitation, IIDA Oregon Chapter, Award for Transformation

Industrial Home Building Rehabilitation, DeMuro Award for Excellence in Preservation Re-Use and Community Revitalization

2015

AWARDS

Galleria/City Target Core and Shell Rehabilitation, DeMuro Award for Excellence in Preservation Re-Use and Community Revitalization

2013

AWARDS

Galleria Core and Shell Rehabilitation, AIA Portland Chapter, Special Award for Adaptive Reuse

Oregon State University, Furman Hall Rehabilitation, DeMuro Award for Excellence in Preservation Re-Use and Community Revitalization

2011

AWARDS

Petworth Neighborhood Library Rehabilitation, Washington D.C. Chapter AIA Design Award, Historic Resources

2010

AWARDS

Paradise Inn Rehabilitation, ACEC Oregon, Engineering Excellence Grand Award

2009

AWARDS

Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, Portland Chapter AIA, People’s Choice Award

SmashCut Studio, Oregon Chapter IIDA, People’s Choice Award

The Wyatt, Masonry and Ceramic Institute of Oregon, Award of Honor for Design and Use of Masonry

White Stag Block Rehabilitation/ University of Oregon Portland, Northwest Pacific Region Chapter AIA, Award of Citation

2008

AWARDS

Knowledge Learning Corporation Headquarters, Better Bricks “Energy Showdown”, Greatest Improvement in Efficiency for Properties under 60,000 square feet

Multnomah County Library Rehabilitation and Addition, Portland Architectural Heritage Center/Bosco Milligan Foundation, Preservation in Action- Pinnacle Award

White Stag Block Rehabilitation/University of Oregon Portland, Portland Chapter AIA, Craftsmanship Award

White Stag Block Rehabilitation/ University of Oregon Portland, Portland Chapter AIA, Mayor’s Award for Design Excellence

2006

AWARDS

Knowledge Learning Corporation Headquarters, AIA/IIDA Portland Chapter, Merit Award

O1 Lofts Mixed-Use Development, Central Valley Chapter AIA, Citation Award

2005

AWARDS

White City Library, Southwestern Oregon & Southern Oregon Chapters AIA, Citation Award

2004

AWARDS

Camas Public Library Expansion & Rehabilitation, Portland Chapter AIA/IIDA, Citation Award

Ode to Roses, AIA Northwest and Pacific Region, Citation Award

2003

AWARDS

Columbia River Maritime Museum, Northwest & Pacific Region AIA, Award of Honor

The Sliver, AIA Portland Chapter, Merit Award Unbuilt

The Sliver, AIA Central Valley Chapter, Merit Award Unbuilt

2002

AWARDS

Box & One Lofts, Oregon Governor’s Livability Award

Box & One Lofts, AIA Portland Chapter, Citation Award

Box & One, AIA Portland Chapter, People’s Choice Award

Columbia River Maritime Museum, Portland Chapter AIA, People’s Choice Award

Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center, Oregon Chapter IIDA, Merit Award

2001

AWARDS

Multnomah County Library Rehabilitation and Addition, AIA and ALA, National Award of Excellence

Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge Gateway Center, Portland Chapter AIA, People’s Choice Award

2000

AWARDS

Jakes Run, AIA Center for Livable Communities

Portland Public Schools, Oregon Chapter IIDA, Merit Award- Fernwood Middle School

 


 
Robert Libke Public Safety and Municipal Courts Building. A large council chamber with a dias int he background and seating in in the foreground. The high ceiling is made of mass timber and sunlight streams through windows behind the dias, bathing the room in natural light.
 
Dusk shot of the Fair-Haired Dumbbell. The six-story building is seen from the corner and the windows are of various sizes and are randomly placed. The exterior is completely covered with a colorful swirling mural abstractly representing flowers, geodes and leaves.
 
Smith Optics, Portland Design Center. Two men sit across from each other at a large, low table made from an old metal fire door and surrounded my mid-century-inspired chairs and a sofa. On the wall behind a large, unfinished oak beam is the phrase
 
Regional Utility Provider, Portland Service Center. An open, collaborative space with casual seating and low tables is shown with a large opening in ceiling which opens to the floor abovve. There is a woood-slat wall and ceiling feature as well as exposed industrial-looking areas of the ceiling. Several white square columns are visible and there are two large conference rooms with glass walls and doors in the background.
 
Corner view of downtown Portland's white terra cotta-clad historic department store, the Galleria Building, with many windows. The ground floor corner in the foreground is an art gallery with large, colorful paintings hanging on a bright orange wall. To the left of the gallery are two garage-style doors which appear to be loading docks. Through the windows of the second and third floors, a large Target logo can be seen, indicating the presence of the retailer in the space.
 

 
White Stag Block. Interior view taken at the top of the main stairway which leads to the lobby.The building is made of red brick. There is a large skylight above it and windows with black shutters showing views into the second floor.