On the Boards

Aeriel Rendering of Heritage High School

On the Boards

Heritage High School

On the Boards

Sharing Our Work in Affordable Housing

On the Boards

Mountain View High School

Washington Street Apartments Courtyard Rendering

On the Boards

Washington Street Apartments

Aeriel Rendering of Heritage High School

On the Boards

Heritage High School

On the Boards

Mountain View High School

On the Boards

Sharing Our Work in Affordable Housing

Every scale, texture, tone, and form transforms a

Every scale, texture, tone, and form transforms a space into an experience, from bold gestures to subtle details, all crafted with intention.

#landscapearchitecture #landscapedesign #landscapearchitect #portlandlandscape #portland #architecturefirm #design

This month’s employee highlight is Jacob Kuchars

This month’s employee highlight is Jacob Kucharski!

Jacob is a Senior Landscape Designer at Shapiro Didway. Jacob has 10 years of experience in design development, construction administration, navigating project schedules and conducting in-field observation. With extensive experience and a keen understanding of community involvement, he plays a crucial role in the site analysis process, contributing to the creation of public and private landscapes that align with the needs of civic, residential, and commercial environments. Jacob has been a key member of our team and we are lucky to have him!

📍Heritage High School SD worked on a renovati

📍Heritage High School

SD worked on a renovation project for Heritage High School’s campus in Vancouver, Washington, completed in 2023. The plaza at Heritage High School serves as a deliberate link between the existing school and a newly added building, extending seamlessly to the track and field area. It functions as a dynamic community hub, accommodating events and sports activities alike. The renovation effort prioritized the revitalization of the utility yard and service drop-off zone, turning it into a lively plaza. This transformation provides students, staff, and the community with a secure and inviting outdoor space for their daily activities and social gatherings.

#landscapearchitect #landscapearchitecture #outdooreducation #design #portland #shapirodidway #highschool #playareas #outdoorenvironments #highschoolplaza

We believe in a collaborative design approach that

We believe in a collaborative design approach that creates outdoor spaces for all, enriching communities through innovative placemaking and fostering our practice through shared support and growth. When designing outdoor spaces in educational environments, we prioritize inclusivity, universal access, and experiences that nurture a sense of community. This approach and design philosophy enriches our educational projects, including the campuses of Heritage High School, Mountain View High School, and VITA Elementary School.

The plaza at Heritage High School purposefully connects the existing school to a new building addition and extends to the track and field area, serving as a vibrant community hub for both events and sports activities. The renovation focused on revitalizing the utility yard and service drop-off zone, transforming it into an active and engaging plaza that offers students, staff, and the community a safe and welcoming outdoor environment for their everyday activities and gatherings.

The completely rebuilt Mountain View High School campus incorporates various gathering areas thoughtfully placed to curate moments for social interaction and provide reprieve for students and staff of all abilities. The site embraces equity, inclusion, and a connection to nature through the integration of biophilic design principles. Wildlife habitat nodes, adaptable outdoor educational areas, stormwater features, and a sensory garden pathway all support the school's programmatic uses.

VITA Elementary brings the inside out with an accurately scaled solar system model emanating from the second-story learning stair down throughout the site. Planets, orbits, and constellations are integrated into the site surfacing with inlays, text, and Braille to provide educational moments and allow students exploration. A variety of spaces including an amphitheater, nature play area, sensory garden, butterfly garden, playground, and outdoor classroom all support educational activities, teamwork, gatherings, imaginative play, socialization, and wildlife. Beyond serving the students and staff, the school is a valuable recreational asset for the community outside operational hours.

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