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Deb France, AIA and LEED certified, opened Oh planning+design, architecture (OHP+D) as a 100% woman-owned, full-service architectural firm in 2004. From the very beginning, France sought diversity as a factor in her business.

鈥滻t’s baked into the hiring practices,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s a great time to be in architecture; in the AEC community. We want to bring in the right kind of people.鈥�

With the help of Associate Principal Leslie Melin, the firm has grown to 25 employees with more than half women and 12% are minorities.

OHP+D has certification in Oregon as a WBE, DBE firm. They are also associated with Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME), Human Rights Campaign (HRC), National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), Portland Area Business Association (PABA), US Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC), and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

鈥淲e want a diverse workplace,鈥� said Jeff Lane, head of marketing management for the firm. 鈥淲e want people who will stay, people who fit into and feel comfortable in our community. Getting along in a creative environment is as important as the skills we bring to the table.

鈥淒iversity is part of that.鈥�

Employees also participate in outreach projects, many of which are oriented to diversity in the professional community.

They’ve volunteered time and resources to Habitat for Humanity, PWA NW Career Expo, CANstruction, SOLVE鈥擮ld Town neighborhood cleanup, Bureau of Indian Affairs Chemawa High Career Fair, mentoring at the Boys and Girls Club, Portland Public Schools Summer Works Internship Program and many more.

鈥淲e’ve built it into our practice,鈥� said France. 鈥淭hose who volunteer often get compensation time off and recognition. We want to encourage participation in the community, especially in education and diversity.鈥�

Another project dear to OHP+D is the Pickathon Pods with Portland State University.聽 Pickathon Music Festival’s Treeline Stage, designed by Portland State University architecture students and assembled with help from many professionals in the AEC community, the stage will be reconstructed into sleeping pods聽for homeless veterans in Clackamas.