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Recent Articles from David Shaffer
The Evolving Role of Architect
I grew up in the Midwest. Specifically, Indiana and Illinois. It’s not hard to find good architecture in bigger cities, but in smaller ones, you’ve got to search. So early […]
Fenced in: dangers at Waterfront Park
One of my favorite aspects of Portland is the ease of transportation that has been stitched into the fabric of our city. Bikes, buses, Max trains and streetcars abound. In […]
Architecturally pleasing spaces can make us smarter
There are now scientific studies that show that brain growth is directly linked to our physical environments. In fact, studies conducted from 2001-2010 by Dr. Elizabeth Gould at Princeton University, show that boring and/or stressful environments encumber the ability for the brain to produce new nerve connections.
The Olympics of Architecture: the World’s Fair
For over 150 years, countries from around the world have come together at the World鈥檚 Fair. In recent years, these events have been a hotbed of architectural competition. Just as athletes come together to represent their country in the Olympics, architects must enter competition among scores of their peers for the honor to design for their country.
When does inspiration violate copyright?
This ethical dilemma of inspiration versus borrowing is especially compelling to me as a young design professional.
When architecture becomes advertising
Fifty years ago ad executives made advertisements, and architects designed buildings. Architecture was architecture and advertising was advertising. Today, it鈥檚 becoming harder to make a distinction.
Building 20: What made it so special and why it will (probably) never exist again
Recently, I was in a meeting at work and somebody mentioned a project I had never heard of:聽 Building 20 at MIT. I was intrigued, so I looked it up. […]
How architecture can help your memory
I recently read a book that I thought had nothing to do with architecture - "Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything," by Joshua Foer. In fact, I picked it because I thought it would be a nice respite from the subject. Surprisingly, it ended up being one of the more enlightening books I鈥檝颅e read on architecture.
News
- 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
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
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
