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Celebrating 50 years of LRS Architects

Form, Function and Fifty.

The Milestone is more than just a celebration of five decades in business and longevity, it is a moment to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. For half a century, LRS has shaped communities with purpose and inclusive design, creating modern, people-centric environments that incorporate the latest technological advancements. This history was paramount throughout the design process for the anniversary logo. 
The Story Behind the Creative Process >>
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(Pictured Top: Founders Steve Lee and Bill Ruff  | Bottom: Johns Landing Master Plan, Portland, OR)

Putting People First

1976
Steve Lee and Bill Ruff started with an office in The Water Tower Building at John’s Landing in Portland, OR and vision of good design and excellent service. After a few ownership and name changes, the firm became LRS Architects.
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(Pictured Top: Park Place Assisted Living, Portland, OR  | Bottom: Ron Tonkin, Gran Turismo / Ferrari, Portland, OR)

Innovative Progress

1980’s

1980: The firm’s work on Abby Street Pier in Newport, OR is awarded an Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

1982: LRS works on their first auto dealership for Ron Tonkin, Gran Turismo / Ferrari in Portland. 

1986: LRS Architects completes Oregon’s first assisted living facility and first Medicaid-eligible Assisted Living Facility in Tigard, known as Park Place. 

1987: One of the first firms to design using the Apple Macintosh computer and test early versions of Adobe Photoshop as a tool for visualization and presentation.  

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(Pictured Top: Albany City Hall, Albany, OR  | Bottom: Mercedes Benz Dealership, Wilsonville, OR )

Building New Studios

1990’s

Early 1990s: Completion of the firm’s first affordable housing projects. 

1991: Aspen Court, an assisted living facility in Portland, OR, becomes the architectural model for the State of Oregon Regulations and Assisted Living Facilities licensing. 

1993: LRS designs the first HUD-financed Assisted Living Facility, Arbor Woods, in Michigan. 

1994: LRS moves offices to Salmon Street in Portland. 

1998: The completion of the Mercades-Benz of Wilsonville becomes the firm’s most high-profile project. 

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(Pictured Top: Zhanjiang High Tech Park, Shanghai,  China | Bottom: Adidas US Headquarters (Renovation + interior architecture), Portland, Oregon )

Global Milestones

2000’s

2000: The first LEED Gold civic center in the country is completed by the firm for the City of Hillsboro, which included a new City Hall as well as an affordable housing project. 

2001: The firm designs the first assisted living facility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and deaf/blind in the west known as Chestnut Lane. 

2007: LRS opens the Shanghai, China office and the Portland headquarters move into the DeSoto Building. 

Late 2000’s: The Shanghai office completes Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, one of the first LEED Platinum projects totaling approximately 1.2 million square feet. 

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(Pictured Top: Vancouver Waterfront, Vancouver, WA | Bottom: Touchmark West Hills, Portland, OR )

The Next Generation

2010's

2010: LRS completes its first New Seasons Market store, opening the door for a long-term relationship with the grocery store chain.  

2016: The world’s largest Subaru dealership is completed in Wilsonville, OR, which allows for all vehicle inventory to be stored and viewed inside. 

2016: Voted Top Workplaces by the Oregonian! LRS has maintained this honor every year since. 

2018: Introduction of VR technology for virtual walkthroughs. 

Late 2010’s: Interior design and tenant improvement projects become more popular. 

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(Pictured Top: Jaguar Land Rover Technology Center, Portland, OR | Bottom: Terava Apartments, Bend, OR)

Breaking Barriers

2020’s

2021: LRS acquires GL3 Architects and opens a permanent office in Bend, OR. 

2023: The 100th auto dealership designed by LRS, and the first Porsche Studio in the US, is completed in Portland, OR. 

2023: Terwilliger Plaza Parkview becomes the largest Passive House Certified senior living project in the country 

2024: LRS Architects becomes a woman-owned firm and is recognized as a WBENC Firm. 

2025: The Bend office designs and breaks ground on three affordable housing projects within the year. 

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Celebrating 50 Years

2026

Today, LRS Architects stands as the largest women-owned architecture firm in the Pacific Northwest, with over 100 staff across two cities. 

We can’t wait to help build your dreams over the next 50 years!  

    Design People Trust

    Design to inspire and unite communities

    Our award winning architecture, interiors, and planning firm based in Portland and Bend, Oregon is proud to serve clients for the past 50 years. Our clients, both public and private across 30+ states and internationally, have allowed us to offer a full range of integrated design services among multiple studios, including auto, civic, multifamily, office and workplace, retail, and senior living studios. 

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    Alta Narrows

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    Davis Wright Tremaine

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    Deschutes County Courthouse

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    KinderCare

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    Jamii Court Apartments

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    Mercedes-Benz of Vancouver

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    Parkview Terwilliger Plaza

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    Porsche Beaverton

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    Slabtown Square

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    The Springs at Lake Oswego

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    Timberland Retail Center

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    “We value LRS’s expertise in navigating the balance between city and factory requirements while keeping cost and operational efficiency in mind.” 

    Jason Wendling, Chief Executive Officer | Dick Hannah Dealerships 

    “I have been working with LRS Architects for over 10 years on new construction and remodels of automotive dealerships throughout the Pacific Northwest. They consistently deliver projects with thoroughness in a timely manner. They are trusted partners from inception to grand opening.” 

    Eric Iversen, Director of Real Estate and Facilities | Swickard Auto Group  

    “Lithia Motors, Inc. has had the opportunity to work with many Architects around the country. LRS would rank among the top. Lithia would definitely recommend LRS.” 

    Mark DeBoer, Vice President of Real Estate | Lithia Motors

    “We’ve been working with LRS Architects for years, and honestly, we love it every time. The LRS team is always collaborative, creative, and fun to work with—it really feels like a true partnership. They make every project more enjoyable, and we always know we’re in good hands with LRS to help get deals over the finish line. Here’s to many more together!”  

    Josh Schweitz, Managing Director at Newmark | Jumbo’s Pickleball  

    "The project turned out wonderful, it had its challenges, but these projects are complex and very unique. I've enjoyed working with Greg and Eric, they've done a great job. If we had something new come up, they always rolled up their sleeves and jumped in, working towards a successful completion. I am looking forward to future work with LRS!"  

    Tim O’Brien, CEO/ Founder at UAA | Terava

     “LRS takes a proactive approach – they do not hesitate to step up and take on a challenge. They do what they are contracted to do and then some, going above and beyond for their clients.”

    Bob Beauchmin, BC Group | Owner’s Representative for CPAH | Woodland Hearth, Jamii Court 

    “Working with LRS has been an absolute pleasure. Your professionalism, dedication, and support of our community have played an essential role in the success of the Cheney Care Community, I am truly grateful for the support and collaboration we have shared.“ 

    Ashley Healey, Executive Director / Administrator | Cheney Care Community 

    “It is so clear how invested LRS and their team were in the success of the project, going above and beyond to meet goals. They always follow through on their commitments, and it was clear that the team shared knowledge and responsibility to ensure our success.”  

    Mallori Smyers, Senior PM at Greystone Communities | Friendsview projects 

    “LRS is an exceptional architecture firm that blends creativity with precision, consistently delivering designs that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional, sustainable, and focused on the needs of their clients. We have worked with Jim Landon and his team for several years and it has always been a great experience from start to finish.” 

    Keith Wooden, Real Estate Director at Housing Works | Nine Peaks Affordable Housing Project 

    “From day one, the LRS team worked to understand what our goals and vision for the Trinity Place development were. They would fill in the blanks, manage the process, and would deal with the unexpected in a calm and collaborative manner that is incredibly rare in the industry. NHA looks forward to seeing Trinity Place through completion with LRS and working with them on more projects to come!” 

    Clayton Crownhurst | Northwest Housing | Trinity Place Project 

    Remarkable People differentiate us. We believe in innovation, collaboration, and the people who make both possible.

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    Endeavor to Earn Continuous Trust

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    Looking back, what is one moment with LRS that has inspired you or made you proud to be part of our journey?
    “During the pandemic and through all the uncertainty, our leadership continued fighting for us to succeed and were transparent about any struggles.”

    Chantel Lindquist

    Billing Specialist
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    Looking back, what is one moment with LRS that has inspired you or made you proud to be part of our journey?
    “I’m proud of LRS becoming a majority women-owned firm. The industry has long been male-dominated, so this was a great moment not just for LRS, but for our industry to demonstrate how far we have come.”

    Amy Smith

    Principal
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    How has our work brought people together or made a positive impact in the community?
    “Clients sense authenticity. Genuine interactions lead to stronger emotional connections, making our relationships with clients long-lasting. Due to these strong relationships, our clients often go out of their way to recommend our services to others.”

    Mary Fierros Bower

    Architect, Senior Associate
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    How has our work brought people together or made a positive impact in the community?
    “Our volunteer work has brought people together. My experience in the ACE Mentorship program in Portland was especially impactful in helping high school students determine their future in the AEC community.”

    Matt Dreska

    Architect, Senior Associate
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    How has our work brought people together or made a positive impact in the community?
    “Whether it’s a local grocery store or affordable housing, the creation of space and placemaking has a quiet yet profound influence on the community. When done well, it subtly reshapes how people perceive their surroundings—elevating the everyday and fostering a deeper sense of belonging.”

    Calista Fitzgerald

    Associate Principal
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    How has our work brought people together or made a positive impact in the community?
    “Working to transform an empty lot or an old, tired structure into a new, thriving place for our neighbors to work or live in is very fulfilling! Having repeat clients that trust LRS with this meaningful work is satisfying!”

    Paul Kurth

    Architect, Associate
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    What does our mission/values, “Design to inspire and unite communities. Remarkable People differentiate us. Endeavor to earn continuous Trust.” mean to you personally?
    “LRS places a great emphasis on supporting the people we have in place to do excellent design work. It’s proven that when employees are happy, they produce high-quality, thoughtful work, which ensures continued client satisfaction. We constantly strive to inspire our clients through our work and bring communities together.”

    Lauren Evans

    Business Development Specialist
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    What does our mission/values, “Design to inspire and unite communities. Remarkable People differentiate us. Endeavor to earn continuous Trust.” mean to you personally?
    “Personally, the statement 'Endeavor to earn continuous Trust' is wonderful to see. Many firms want the trust of their customers, LRS wants trust in all their relationships: client, staff, and community.”

    Alex Thompson-Arndt

    Design Coordinator
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    What does our mission/values, “Design to inspire and unite communities. Remarkable People differentiate us. Endeavor to earn continuous Trust.” mean to you personally?
    “To me, our mission/values are about remembering that our projects or designs are more than just buildings or spaces. Each project is designed to bring people together and create trust through the process. It's a reminder that we have the responsibility to make the end user experience something better.”

    Shane Abuel

    Design Coordinator
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    What does our mission/values, “Design to inspire and unite communities. Remarkable People differentiate us. Endeavor to earn continuous Trust.” mean to you personally?
    “To me, our values ultimately represent a mindset of being genuine to ourselves, our work, and our clients.”

    Sam North

    Design Coordinator
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    What does our mission/values, “Design to inspire and unite communities. Remarkable People differentiate us. Endeavor to earn continuous Trust.” mean to you personally?
    “Design is a collage of creative ideas and technical expertise, brought together by the collaboration and trust of multiple voices, perspectives, and goals. Each component helps create engaging spaces and forms; we intertwine the constructed entity with the natural environment, advancing the use of new technologies in the built environment. All of this enhances our work and living spaces.”

    Monica Jones

    Architect - Specifications Writer, Associate
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    We have a truly distinct culture at LRS. In a few words or sentences, can you describe this culture and how it continues to fuel our success?
    “We are a collaborative group.  We are successful because we work as a team, always with our client's best interest in mind.”

    Amy Hjelte

    Specifications Writer, Senior Associate
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    We have a truly distinct culture at LRS. In a few words or sentences, can you describe this culture and how it continues to fuel our success?
    “Serious jubilance. Focus and passion with a side of spontaneous, quirky fun. A deep well of varied people creates a network of support. No matter what the day brings, there is always someone to lend a hand, a listening ear, or a silly remark/meme/face to boost our spirit.”

    Hayley Blair

    Interior Designer
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    We have a truly distinct culture at LRS. In a few words or sentences, can you describe this culture and how it continues to fuel our success?
    “A fun culture where we all genuinely care about each other. It is a pleasure to come to work each day.”

    Forrest Perkins

    Designer
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    If you could describe LRS in one word or phrase, what would it be – and why?
    “Empowered teamwork. At LRS, collaboration means support, shared wins, and the occasional GIF war. It’s the kind of teamwork that makes every day fun and worth celebrating.”

    Emilie Le Garf

    Interior Designer

      Lead with integrity | Rise to the challenge |  Succeed as a team