About
Founded in 1956, FFA Architecture and Interiors has spent seven decades designing buildings that strengthen communities. We have shaped civic spaces across the nation, from community centers and national park visitor centers to higher education institutions and city facilities. Today, our practice is rooted in the West Coast, where we partner with city and county governments, parks departments, schools, and public agencies to create buildings of lasting civic value.
We pursue a singular belief: that excellence in public sector architecture is impossible without genuine collaboration. We do not dictate form from our drawing board. Rather, we listen deeply to the communities, staff, and leaders who will inhabit these buildings, and we design in service of their aspirations. Our measure of success is not the accolades a building receives, but the outcomes it delivers—spaces that function well, operate sustainably, and elevate the lives of those who pass through their doors. This philosophy shapes everything we do: the projects we accept, the clients we choose to partner with, and the members of our team.
Three core commitments guide our work. First, stakeholder engagement: we honor the voices of end-users, leaders, and the communities we serve, showing the full arc of our design process, not just the finished form. Second, we provide sustainable and resilient designs—buildings meant to endure—with current and future generations in mind; systems that reduce operating costs and enhance climate resilience. Lastly, a tangible and positive impact on the community: improved public health and safety, expanded access to services, and beautiful spaces where communities can flourish.
Careers
Open Design Culture
Everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We believe candid, respectful dialogue leads to better outcomes for our clients and a more inclusive workplace. When diverse ideas are heard and valued, we design smarter buildings and grow stronger as a team.
Meaningful Work
Our projects are rooted in place and serve the communities they inhabit. From historic renovations to new buildings, each project tells a compelling story. We pursue work that matters—architecture that endures and makes a difference in people’s lives.
Sustainable Excellence
Since 1956, we’ve been committed to timeless, beautiful, sustainable design. We build with current and future generations in mind, creating architecture that operates efficiently, enhances climate resilience, and stands the test of time. Sustainability isn’t a goal; it’s foundational to everything we design.
Intentional Culture
We invest in our people through a commitment to work-life balance, a generous benefits package, and employee wellness initiatives. FFA is a place where you can thrive professionally and personally.
Open Positions
There are no open positions available at this time.Impact
Sustainability
Good design is sustainable design—integrated throughout every project, not as an afterthought. We design buildings rooted in place: understanding local climate, culture, and heritage to create solutions that are contextually appropriate and beneficial. This approach honors both the communities we serve today and future generations. We balance environmental responsibility with economic practicality, recognizing that all budgets—public and private—demand solutions that perform well over decades. Our buildings consistently outperform industry peers in energy reduction, progress we measure against the AIA 2030 Commitment, and rigorous, measurable goals.
Beyond our own projects, we push the field forward. We actively participate in research through the REACTS Consortium, investigating mass timber solutions, and maintain our eight-year commitment to the AIA 2030 Commitment. Collaboration with peers and research organizations helps us find better answers to the sustainability challenges we face daily.
Equity
Equity is not just an initiative, but how we operate. We believe equitable compensation, transparent operations, and genuine work-life balance are baseline expectations. Everyone is compensated fairly for their role. Our leadership is transparent about finances and strategic direction. We encourage anyone to champion an initiative. We recognize that our benefits package directly impacts success outside of work, so we actively protect the 40-hour work week. We’re also a women- and minority-owned firm, reflecting our commitment to building a team where diverse perspectives shape our decisions and work.
Equity work is a constant process of improvement. We don’t claim to have solved systemic inequities, but we’re committed to continuous learning, honest about our missteps, and dedicated to designing inclusive spaces where all communities can thrive. We ask better questions, listen deeply, and are willing to change course when we fall short.
Community
Community is central to who we are as a firm. We believe that giving back and making our neighborhoods better is everyone’s responsibility. This happens in two ways. Beyond our project work, we engage directly through trash clean-up days, volunteering in schools, and supporting local initiatives. All staff have paid volunteer hours annually, and we organize group volunteering events alongside supporting individual interests. We also contribute pro bono design work and advocate for sustainability and climate resilience in the design field.
Our project work deepens this commitment. We conduct workshops and surveys to understand how buildings should function for end users and all who inhabit them, and then design in response. This is rigorous engagement, not placating, with results that use design to improve inclusivity and advance equity. We measure success against the goals that communities help determine. When conflicts arise, we work collaboratively to find solutions that honor both community needs and design integrity.
Legacy
William Fletcher founded FFA in 1956, beginning as a private practice in his basement before establishing an office in a house near downtown Portland. There, he shared space with fellow architects who became known as “The 14th Street Gang”, a collaborative beginning that shaped the firm’s character. Throughout his career, Bill paid meticulous attention to every detail, organizing each element of his designs so they worked together as a harmonious whole. He remained actively engaged in his projects until his final days, guided by a genuine passion for architecture and a commitment to excellence.
More than seven decades later, FFA continues to embody Bill’s approach: thoughtful design rooted in place, collaborative practice, and an unwavering dedication to the work. The firm has evolved across four generations of leadership, yet the spirit of careful craftsmanship and genuine care for the built environment remains central to everything we do.
Awards
Mt Scott Community Center, Oregon Recreation + Parks Association Design & Construction Award
Blue Lake Regional Park Office and Operations Facility, DJC Top Project
Mt Scott Community Center, DJC Top Project
Redmond Public Safety Facility, DJC Top Project
Sunrise Water Authority Administrative and Operations Facility, DJC Top Project
Forest Grove City Hall Renovation & Expansion, DJC Top Project
Monmouth City Hall, DJC Top Project
Hidden Creek Park West, DJC Top Project
Monmouth City Hall, Engineering-News-Record (ENR) Northwest Best Project Award of Merit
Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Complex, WoodWorks Wood Design Award for Regional Excellence
Eugene Farmers Market Pavilion, DJC Top Project of the Year for Arts, Culture and Entertainment
Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Complex, DJC Top Secondary and Vocational Training Project
Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Complex, IIDA Oregon, People’s Choice Award for Design Excellence