Business Details
19 Years
experience
Equitable Architecture & Urban Design in Portland, OR
Salazar Architect collaborates with community partners to create space for climate justice and the advancement of racial, gender, and economic equity in the built environment. Founded in 2007 and incorporated in 2008, our firm originated as a pro bono anti-displacement practice serving low-income Black and Brown communities in the San Francisco Bay Area before relocating to Portland in 2015. We specialize in affordable housing, community design, and urban development projects that prioritize restorative and liberatory outcomes for marginalized populations. Our three Design Research LabsCommunity Design, Wellbeing Design, and Sustainable Designensure that all projects integrate trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and environmentally responsible practices.Certified as a Minority Business Enterprise and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise across multiple states, we maintain a multicultural team committed to reflecting the communities we serve. Through initiatives like our Catalyst Design Grant program, we provide pro bono services to mission-driven housing providers, advancing our vision of equitable, resilient, and just communities shaped by community voice and lived experience.
Services
Affordable Housing
Urban Design
Community Design
Sustainable Design
Wellbeing Design
Trauma-Informed Design
Pro Bono Design
Climate Justice Projects
Cultural Engagement
Equity Consulting
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We specialize in community-based design for marginalized populations
- Our three Design Research Labs ensure comprehensive, trauma-informed solutions
- Multicultural team reflects the communities we serve
- Certified as Minority Business Enterprise in multiple states
- Pioneered Catalyst Design Grant program for housing providers
Associations and certifications
- Oregon Minority Business Enterprise
- California Minority Business Enterprise
- Washington Minority Business Enterprise
- Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Services
Community Design
Our Community Design Lab creates equitable spaces through participatory processes that prioritize marginalized voices. We conduct focus groups, workshops, and open houses to ensure community input shapes every project. This approach supports place-based development where affected communities directly influence design outcomes.
Sustainable Design
The Sustainable Design Lab implements climate justice strategies through energy modeling, passive design, and certification systems like LEED and Net Zero. We balance environmental impact with human comfort while promoting economic stability through data-informed, holistic solutions for reduced carbon footprints.
Wellbeing Design
Our Wellbeing Design Lab integrates trauma-informed principles with biophilic and universal design strategies. Through color, texture, and culturally specific elements, we create spaces that promote healing, dignity, and empowerment while addressing physiological and emotional impacts of built environments.
Affordable Housing
We specialize in designing high-quality, cost-effective affordable housing that addresses displacement and supports marginalized communities. Our approach combines community engagement with sustainable practices to create restorative living environments that meet both practical needs and cultural aspirations.
Urban Design
Our urban design practice focuses on equitable public spaces and infrastructure that reflect community needs. We address systemic inequities through trauma-informed planning that considers historical marginalization while creating resilient, accessible environments that promote social cohesion and economic opportunity.
Questions
What is Salazar Architect's primary focus?
We specialize in equitable architecture and urban design that advances racial, gender, and economic equity through affordable housing, community development, and climate justice projects.
How does the firm incorporate community input?
Our Community Design Lab facilitates participatory processes including focus groups, workshops, and open houses to ensure community voice shapes all our projects.
What certifications does Salazar Architect hold?
We are certified as a Minority Business Enterprise and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise in Oregon, California, and Washington, plus Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise status.
Where does the firm operate?
We work across Oregon, California, and Washington with a focus on the Greater Portland metro area for our Catalyst Design Grant program.
What is the Catalyst Design Grant program?
This initiative provides $15,000 in pro bono design services to mission-driven housing providers through our three Design Research Labs for early-stage project development.
How does the firm approach sustainable design?
Our Sustainable Design Lab integrates environmental justice principles with data-informed strategies to reduce carbon footprints while balancing human comfort and economic stability.
