we believe in creating inspiring spaces that help you express your values in design.
our story
We collaborate with private building owners, non-profits, and public agencies on new mixed-use, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects throughout the Northwest, developing flexible, dramatic, and diverse environments. Our goal is to engage local community members in exploring sustainable design principles and practices, resulting in a built environment that expresses a profound respect for the environment and is attuned to our unique place.
We are a certified B Corporation. Becoming certified in 2016 was a way to preserve the values of the firm for the future as well as focusing our work on a triple bottom line.
our process is rooted in our core values
We nurture a culture of creativity and collaboration. We strive to sustain balance in the environment and in our professional impacts. We come together to do good work with an understanding of the impacts of time on architecture, the environment, and community.
our expertise
Sustainability
Driven by the individual passions of our staff, we weave sustainable measures and environmental best practices throughout all of our designs
Interiors
Waterleaf has worked with many organizations to update and develop flexible, dramatic, and diverse environments.
Adaptive Reuse
Each renovation project is seen by the design team as an opportunity to advance universal design principles, highlight shared project goals, and work together to provide buildings and spaces that improve the building's use.
Seismic Upgrade
Waterleaf fully understands not only the basic structural upgrades and unreinforced masonry, but the collateral effects on other systems, materials and finishes.
our certifications & coalitions
u.s. green building council
Twenty-seven percent of the firm are LEED-accredited professionals and Waterleaf encourages those who are not to seek their accreditation and are willing to cover the cost of the exam. In-house LEED educational seminars are also offered regularly.
certified b corporation
Waterleaf was initially certified as a B Corporation in 2016 and renewed in 2018 by B Lab who administers the certification. We believe in providing service to our community by making sure spaces are accessible and providing solutions that are sustainable for our community and environment.
sustainability at work
Sustainability at Work Award In 2015 and 2018, Waterleaf was awarded Gold Certification by the City of Portland as a result of the Green Practices used in both the maintenance and design of the office.
zero energy ready oregon
We are a member of a coalition of organizations dedicated to lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment. The goal of ZERO is to put all buildings in Oregon on the path to zero energy.