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Seattle-based architecture firm NBBJ recently opened a Portland office to capitalize on its relationships with local health care institutions.

The firm has opened for business in the Board of Trade Building at 310 S.W. Fourth Ave., with capacity for up to 25 employees.

NBBJ is designing Oregon Health & Science University‘s 14-story expansion on Marquam Hill, the OHSU Elks Children’s Eye Clinic and the Legacy Emanuel Medical Center‘s renovation and expansion in North Portland. NBBJ also designed a new wing of the聽St. Charles Medical Center聽in Bend.

鈥淲e wanted to better serve our clients,鈥� said Jose Sama, a partner in the new Portland office.

NBBJ has worked with Skanska on several projects, and is looking to deepen its local connections with that contractor, Sama said.

鈥淲e have a good relationship with them, and we’re looking at identifying opportunities with other contractors and developers,鈥� he said.

NBBJ searched for a small office of 3,000 to 5,000 square feet on the west side of the Willamette River. The firm looked at more than a dozen properties in downtown and the Pearl District.

NBBJ signed a lease in early September, and opened the office after installation of approximately $100,000 in information technology infrastructure. The space was renovated recently.

鈥淚t was basically move-in ready,鈥� NBBJ principal Larry Parrett said.

NBBJ was founded in 1943 in Seattle by four partners. Boeing was an early client, and the firm performed public housing and health care work in postwar years.

鈥淐ulturally, Portland is very similar to Seattle,鈥� Parrett said. 鈥淲e feel like we fit right in.鈥�

The city offers other advantages as well, he added.

鈥淭here’s a lot of design and staff talent in Portland,鈥� he said.

Despite talk among presidential contenders of reducing health care spending, the sector’s long-term prospects remain promising, according to Parrett.

鈥淲e’ve been doing this a long time, and health care 鈥� just like other markets 鈥� goes in waves,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here’s always a lot of work in health care. It’s one of the most recession-proof markets there is.鈥�