Business Details
28 Years
experience
Sustainable Architecture & Community Design in Portland
Communitecture is a full-service architecture, planning, and permaculture design firm dedicated to creating beautiful, resilient spaces that foster community engagement. Founded in 1998, we integrate ecological principles with participatory design processes to address urban and rural challenges. Our work spans commercial, institutional, and residential projects, emphasizing justice, equity, and sustainability. We prioritize community-driven decision-making, often leading public workshops and collaborative design sessions. Our team combines architectural expertise with natural building techniques, including straw bale construction and permaculture-inspired landscapes.Recognized nationally for innovative public space design, we have contributed to over 300 community-generated projects in Portland alone. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in LEED-certified professionals and passive solar designs. We collaborate with engineers, artists, and local leaders to deliver holistic solutions tailored to each project's unique context. Our office itself embodies our values, featuring an urban food forest and shared workspace for allied organizations. Through decades of experience, we continue to push the boundaries of design to heal both people and the planet.
Services
Sustainable Architecture
Community Planning
Permaculture Design
Natural Building
Public Space Design
Straw Bale Construction
Ecological Master Planning
Cohousing Development
ADU Design
Regenerative Landscapes
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of experience in community-driven design
- LEED-certified professionals on staff
- Pioneers in participatory urban permaculture design
- Over 300 community-generated public spaces created
- Commitment to justice, equity, and ecological resilience
Associations and certifications
- LEED
What people say
Excellent community engagement
Innovative sustainable designs
Transformative public spaces
Collaborative process
Ecological expertise
Services
Sustainable Architecture
Our sustainable architecture integrates ecological principles with functional design. We create energy-efficient buildings using recycled materials and passive solar techniques. Our approach prioritizes long-term environmental impact reduction while maintaining aesthetic appeal and community needs.
Community Planning
Community planning services focus on participatory design processes that empower local stakeholders. We facilitate workshops and collaborative sessions to create spaces that reflect community values and address social equity challenges through physical design solutions.
Permaculture Design
Permaculture design services combine regenerative agricultural principles with landscape architecture. We create self-sustaining ecosystems that produce food, manage water resources, and enhance biodiversity within urban and rural environments through thoughtful, science-based design.
Natural Building
Natural building techniques include straw bale construction, earthen plasters, and reclaimed material integration. These methods create healthy living environments while minimizing ecological footprints through locally sourced, non-toxic materials and traditional building techniques.
Public Space Design
Public space design focuses on creating inclusive, accessible community gathering areas. Our award-winning approach transforms underutilized spaces into vibrant civic assets through collaborative design processes that prioritize safety, accessibility, and cultural expression.
People
Mark Lakeman
Principal / Designer
Mark Lakeman is a founding principal with 25+ years of experience in community-driven design. He pioneered Portland's City Repair Project movement and has led over 300 public space transformations. His work focuses on urban resilience and participatory design.
Vale Larson-Brasted
Architect, LEED AP BD+C
Vale Larson-Brasted brings two decades of architectural experience and LEED certification to sustainable design. Specializing in passive solar techniques and recycled material applications, he contributes technical expertise and artistic sensibility to complex projects.
Jackson Toole
Designer
Jackson Toole specializes in natural building and collaborative design processes. With a decade of experience in community projects, he bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainability standards through hands-on participation in urban repair initiatives.
Questions
What sustainability certifications does communitecture hold?
We have LEED AP BD+C certified professionals and implement passive solar, net-zero energy principles in our designs.
How does communitecture involve communities in design?
We use participatory workshops, public presentations, and collaborative decision-making processes for all community-focused projects.
What building materials do you specialize in?
We prioritize natural materials like straw bale, earthen plasters, and reclaimed wood for sustainable construction solutions.
Do you work outside Portland?
While based in Portland, we consult on projects across the Pacific Northwest and beyond through remote collaboration.
What project types do you handle?
We work on commercial, residential, institutional projects including cohousing, ADUs, public spaces, and regenerative landscapes.
How long have you been in business?
We've been creating community-focused designs since our founding in 1998 by Mark Lakeman and team.
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