Trish Nixon (LRS Architects)
BY LUKE AREHART
Continuing our series on local architects and their inspirations is this conversation with Trish Nixon, the managing principal at LRS Architects. With over 20 years of experience, Nixon leads the LRS Green Committee, responsible for reviewing and recommending the latest in sustainable design practices and materials for clients and staff and is a licensed architect in Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
Portland Architecture: When did you first become interested in architecture as a possible career?
Trish Nixon: In junior high I was required to take 12 weeks of shop class. We worked on building and drawing objects. This was my first exposure to doing anything mechanical or technical. We were drawing by hand and focused on shapes and mechanical pieces. After that, I attended a small high school that didn’t have any architecture or drafting classes. It was my experience in junior high that made me decide to pursue a major in architecture. I lucked out and really enjoyed it.
Where did you study architecture and how would you rate the experience?
I went to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. I was going to high school in Abilene, Texas and my dad did not want to pay out of state tuition. Fortunately there were several in-state architecture programs to choose from. If you haven’t been to Lubbock, it’s a great college town that is fairly small compared to some of the more urban centers in the state. The school had a great group of international professors who provided interesting perspectives and created a good mix with those professors that were practicing locally. Since the school was located in a relatively small town, I look back and think it would have been nice to have been exposed to more of an urban environment. Lubbock is six hours away from Dallas, which was the closest large urban center. I remember that we did make some trips to New Mexico to study artists' communities. The education was good and served me well, but looking back on it, there are some things that I know other people have been able to do (like travel abroad) that I believe would have been beneficial to me as well.
What is your favorite building project that you’ve worked on?
That is an interesting question because I’ve worked on many different types of projects and they all have interesting parts and pieces. The project that came to mind first, however, was The Hillsboro Civic Center that LRS completed in 2005. This project stands out for me because it was the first large project that I was assigned to as project manager. It had a lot of complexities and included several uses. We won the project through a design competition which added some excitement. We were hired as a part of a developer-contractor team. It was a public project, but also had the private aspect of being part of a developer team which made it a lot more interesting and complicated. What I really liked about that project, was that there were many different players to interact with and be involved with throughout the process.
I really enjoy working on the land-use planning and programming phase of projects. What I like best about architecture is solving the puzzle. There are so many different pieces that need to work together. In the early phases you are gathering information and determining how best to incorporate it into the project, all in a way that meets the needs of the client, the site location, and the budget. I also really enjoy project management. I like the process of architecture, start to finish.
Hillsboro City Hall (LRS Architects)
Who has been an important mentor among your colleagues?
Prior to working with LRS Architects, I worked for Luey Architects. Jimmie Luey, was the sole proprietor of a three to five-person firm that focused on education projects. Jimmie was one of the most well-rounded architects that I have ever been exposed to. He knew everything about architecture and could even do the work typically given to consultants, himself. He would always review the consultant’s drawings with a fine tooth comb and question them on their solutions. He established good long working relationships and was always fair and honest. I worked for him early in my career at a time when you know enough to know what you need to learn, but not enough to do everything yourself. I credit my five years with Jimmie to giving me a strong architectural foundation. Interestingly enough, two of my current partners here at LRS worked there with him as well.
When I came to LRS, Bill Ruff and Steve Lee, our founding principals, really taught me a lot about building and maintaining relationships. A good 75-80 percent of our work at LRS is repeat business. I attribute this success to the relationship building that I learned from Bill and Steve.
What part of the job do you like best, and as an architect what do you think you most excel at?
Going back to part of my earlier response: I like dealing with a lot of different personalities. Sometimes that can be the most challenging part of the project. In this profession, you are exposed to all kinds of people, and I don’t think you can really succeed if you are not a good people person and communicator. I’m very process driven so enjoy project management. I grew up in a military family so I think that I am wired to develop a plan and put it into action while figuring out how to resolve the bumps along the way.
Isn’t it true that most people enjoy what they are good at? When you start architecture school you feel like it’s all about design. Once you are working in the profession, you realize that there are so many other facets that need to be solved in order to create a successful project.
What are some Portland buildings (either new or historic) that you most admire?
The Tilikum Crossing bridge is my very favorite piece of architecture in this town right now. It’s a beautiful piece of art. It’s also an excellent addition to our skyline. I live on the east side in Oak Grove so it’s on my daily commute. Now that it’s completed, it’s great to watch the lights at night as the movement in the water changes the colors.
I also really like Art Deco and have always thought that The Gregory in the Pearl was a very handsome building.
Tilikum Crossing (Brian Libby)
What is your favorite building outside of Portland and besides any you’ve worked on?
I had the opportunity a couple years ago to go to Spain. I spent a couple days in Barcelona and toured some of Gaudi’s projects. I really like the Sagrada Família. It’s amazing! I love the story about how it started and how it continues today. The amount of design, thought and patience along with the detail is impressive. You get inside and there is a lot of play with light and shadow.
I also love Antoine Predock’s work. He does a wonderful job with different shapes, volumes and the play of voids with shadows and light. His projects always fit really well in the desert landscape and look like they are part of their surroundings.
Is there a local architect or firm you think is unheralded or deserves more credit?
I think that this town has a lot of good talent. There are so many more talented architects in Portland than you typically hear about. There aren’t any one or two individuals that come to mind as stand outs. But there are many talented people doing good work here.
What would you like to see change about Portland’s built environment in the long term?
Portland has done a lot of things right. I appreciate the efforts toward historic preservation, restoration, re-use and re-purposing of existing buildings as well as creation of community. While many people complain that the land use process can be cumbersome and complicated, I have found that often the best communities are those with the most rigorous processes in place. In terms of specific changes, I’m not sure. I’m big on sustainability and Portland has a good history of building sustainably. It does feel, however, that this may no longer be a top priority and other communities are more on the cutting edge than we are.
How would you rate the performance of local government like the Portland Development Commission, or the development and planning bureaus?
They all have a really tough job, which goes with being in the spotlight. I think that PDC is encouraging a lot of development and getting a lot of things going that wouldn’t happen otherwise. You hear a lot of complaints about the city, but I think they are overtaxed and overburdened and are doing the best job that they can at the moment. During the recession, they took a big personnel hit and have had to add a lot of new people which are learning the process and getting up to speed. In general they are doing a good job. Certain individuals at times are a little bit difficult or not as knowledgeable which makes it more difficult for us to do our job.
Who is a famous architect you’d like to see design a building in Portland?
Portland gets a lot of flack for not having a dynamic, signature architectural piece. While I appreciate unique design, I feel that it still needs to work within the fabric of the city. I think that it’s good to use local talent. It’s frustrating for us local architects when high profile projects are awarded to out of town firms because they think someone with a bigger name or higher profile will do a better job. I don’t think that is true. I’d much rather see local architects doing local work.
Name something besides architecture (sneakers, furniture, umbrellas) you love the design of.
Jewelry. I love to go to craft fairs and art fairs where there are a lot of local people making jewelry. There are some really great, unique designs out there. I also love flower arrangements. You can do some pretty cool things by composing different textures, branches, forms and shapes.
What are three of your all-time favorite movies?
The first movie that comes to mind is “Legends of the Fall.” I love that movie. It’s about the highs and lows of a tortured existence, love found and lost. It’s an epic in that it takes place over several years and you watch the characters evolve. Since I was in high school and college in the '80s, I have a fondness for '80s movies. “St. Elmo’s Fire” is a favorite because I like the ensemble and the angst. “An American President” with Michael Douglas and Annette Bening is also a favorite. It’s romantic and sappy but it has some great lines in it.
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