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POWER LIST: ARCHITECTURE

The little North Portland firm led by Ben Kaiser and Emily Dawson is going worldwide.

Path Architecture has long been known for innovative medium-scale projects such as Carbon 12 and The Canyons that use cross-laminated timber. Now, the firm is getting calls to consult on projects as far flung as New Zealand and England.

A combination of Revit software and CNC software is enabling designers anywhere to dictate manufacturing to facilities around the world. That鈥檚 opened a new line of business for Path.

鈥淲e鈥檙e convinced mass timber is the way forward for mid- and high-rise (buildings) and high-density housing,鈥� said Kaiser, the founding partner. 鈥淚t鈥檚 being adopted internationally 鈥� and particularly nationally 鈥� much faster than I had anticipated.鈥�

Kaiser vowed to use mass timber in all future projects to combat climate change.

鈥淥ur firm is only going to use those materials going forward, regardless of large or small projects,鈥� he said.

Path is wrapping up The Canyons, an apartment building for active seniors. It鈥檚 meant to complement Carbon 12, a condo building that was completed in 2018.

鈥淧eople are now signing leases left and right,鈥� he said.

Path鈥檚 next project is likely to be an affordable housing project with Life Change Church in North Portland. Kaiser and the church are still talking through the deal, but Life Change owns land on North Williams and is interested in maintaining financial equity there, Kaiser said.

鈥淎ffordable housing projects are going to be our focus for a bit 鈥� marrying that together with mass timber, of course,鈥� he said.