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Recent Articles from Arrol Gellner
The entry sets the tone for a home
People never get a second chance to make a first impression 鈥� so goes the old saying. Given this, a home’s entry deserves a lot of thought, if […]
Think twice before fencing off a front yard
Some folks just aren’t happy with their front yards until they’ve erected a miniature stockade around them. I couldn’t count how many 3-foot-high chain-link fences I’ve seen placed right […]
Is arrogance essential to create great architecture?
Ayn Rand’s famed novel “The Fountainhead” is the amusingly overwrought tale of an egocentric architect named Howard Roark. After discovering that one of his brilliant designs has been tampered […]
Make the most of a mirror’s potential
Mirrors in architecture have somehow gained the reputation of cheap trickery. Part of this bad rap stems from the dreadful gold-veined mirror tiles that were so popular during the […]
Tales from the salvage yard
Unlike Europe, the United States has never had many reservations about demolishing its old buildings to make way for new ones. The vast array of exquisite materials squandered during the […]
International style simply too ‘severe’
Almost 100 years ago, the once-flourishing school of design known as the international style represented architecture’s highest hopes for the 20th century. Though it fell far short of expectations, […]
Make a grand entrance at home
Looking to make a strong first impression with a residence? Architect and columnist Arrol Gellner suggests starting with the front door.
Three reasons to be stuck on stucco
The late Malvina Reynolds best expressed the modern image of stucco when she sang about 鈥渓ittle boxes made of ticky-tacky.鈥� In the years since World War II, the mention of […]
They don’t build 鈥檈m like they used to
When I hear people say, 鈥淭hey sure don鈥檛 build houses like they used to,鈥� I think to myself, 鈥淵eah, and it鈥檚 a good thing too.鈥� Granted, the quality of many […]
Six remodeling choices you should rethink
After 30 years in architecture, I still hear the same tired old wives鈥� tales about remodeling. It鈥檚 amazing how long it can take to stamp out a wrongheaded concept. Here […]
Why you should never cut corners on finishes
A friend of mine is an expert plasterer and drywall finisher with almost 50 years in the trade. Not long ago, he knocked himself out on a very labor-intensive plastering […]
China becomes icon of sustainable design
The Chinese are environmental cretins, right? It鈥檚 a common perception, one that our own moribund leaders are only too happy to encourage. After all, the worse that China鈥檚 environmental policies […]
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
