The competition’s open first stage attracted 50 submissions from more than 150 individual firms across six continents.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said: “The response to this competition shows how much possibility people see in Portland and its waterfront. The shortlisted teams bring a strong range of experience and ideas. I’m looking forward to seeing what they propose and to hearing from Portlanders when the designs are shared publicly next year.”
At the heart of our team, Studio Egret West, Portland-based West of West and Knot Studio form a transdisciplinary design core spanning urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and environmental justice, combining international design ambition, deep Portland knowledge and proven delivery experience.
We are supported by Sherwood Design Engineers, PAE, KPFF and Broadwick, bringing expertise across ecological systems, sustainability, electrical, civil and structural engineering, and cultural planning and operations.
Our shared approach is landscape-led, context-specific and collaborative, uniting ecology, infrastructure, public life and long-term economic value. Together, we explore how parks, waterfronts, culture and mixed-use regeneration can reinforce one another to create inclusive, resilient and memorable civic places for Portlanders today and for generations to come.
We’re already getting stuck in. Next week, the team will be on the ground in Portland, immersing ourselves in the city, its waterfront and communities as the 12-week design stage gets underway. We’ll be developing a concept for the whole park alongside a more detailed proposal for the Waterfront Bowl, exploring how the park can strengthen connections to the Willamette River and become an inclusive, active destination for Portland.
The shortlisted proposals will be shared publicly in Portland and online in early 2027, before the teams present to the competition Jury.
Congratulations also to our fellow shortlisted teams: BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group with Jennifer Bonner / MALL, and SWA Group with PLACE and Thomas Phifer and Partners.
