Jessamyn Griffin (Siteworks Design-Build)
BY JENNIFER WRIGHT
The newest installment in the ongoing Architects Questionnaire series features local architect Jessamyn Griffin, vice president of design at Siteworks Design-Build.
Originally from California, art and craft were early passions for Griffin, but a life changing overseas-travel adventure sealed her love for a career in design. Having spent time at both large and small firms, doing a wide variety of project types, she joined Siteworks in 2012, appreciating the group’s collaborative nature of design-build and the sustainable appeal of adaptive reuse.
Griffin's commitment to championing older buildings and envisioning how they may thrive in their next chapter of use is contagious. It is clear that she relishes the opportunity to take on a variety of roles, including guiding the overall management of the Siteworks design team as well as acting as project architect on the firm’s larger projects. Notable projects include Wilsonville’s World of Speed Museum, a transformation of a dated auto dealership into an educational museum, and Bridgetown, a 50-unit mixed use building. She is an architect adept at translating a client’s vision into a successfully built project.
Portland Architecture: When did you first become interested in architecture as a possible career?
Jessamyn Griffin: I came to architecture rather circuitously. As a kid and young adult I adored the arts and anything I could create with my own two hands, but I really struggled with the more traditional subjects (reading, writing, math). I was diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age and had to work hard to keep up with my own expectations (being a perfectionist with a learning disability is quite a combo). Although art was heavily integrated into my education, I somehow didn’t see it as a career option. When the time came to apply to college, I remember having no idea what I really wanted to do, so I applied to Lewis and Clark as a psychology major. The summer before I started, I took some time to travel, going through Europe and Bhutan: really seeing the world outside of my small town for the first time. My mind was blown. So much of my experience and those I’d met was about their way of life, their towns, their homes, their traditions and arts. After that, I knew I had to follow my heart and that meant through the expression of that immersive experience in one way or another.
Traveling in Bhutan (Jessamyn Griffin)
Where did you study architecture and how would you rate the experience?
I came back from my travels and completed one semester at Lewis and Clark (where I fell in love with Portland), but then I transferred to the interior architecture program at the California College of The Arts (then known as the California College of Arts and Crafts), thinking it was a good base for set design, interior design, or who knew what? Once there, the design programs all started with the same base studios and I just thought, 'Why not go for the full 5-year architecture degree?' I was lucky enough to talk with a few family friends that were designers and architects, and architecture just seemed like the gateway to so many other design opportunities. I got my bachelor of architecture degree from CCAC along with a joint bachelor of arts from the University of San Francisco.
CCAC’s architecture program was unabashedly conceptually driven, which was a great balance to the professional education I gained while simultaneously working through those five years. Studios were really focused on finding your way to a concept, building on that and presenting it in a way that others could understand – and didn’t always end with something you might consider “architecture.” I think having the opportunity to really focus on the development and communication of ideas was key to providing a set of tools for architecture and so much more in my life. All that said, at the time I had no idea what I was getting into, or if I even wanted to be an architect, so it was great to have different outlets, work, education, peers, mentors – all played a huge role in my education.
A college architectural model (Jessamyn Griffin)
What is your favorite building project that you’ve worked on?
This is a hard question to answer, as I have different favorites for different reasons. My current favorite is a newly-completed adaptive reuse project at the corner of SE Madison Street and 11th Avenue called the MadAve Building, for client AltSource. I have a special fondness for older Portland buildings that are brought back to life with a modern twist. This one was a particularly challenging project as it had to jump through just about every hoop possible to reach its full potential. The site is on an old stream bed, conditional use was required for the new tenant, full structural upgrades were needed, and the building itself, a former single-story warehouse (to which Siteworks added a second story) was in bad shape. To me, the beauty of the finished product is not just in the success of what the new space looks like, but what it has accomplished in the process, and its revived use.
MadAve Building (Josh Partee)
Who has been an important mentor among your colleagues?
I have been lucky enough to find mentors at different stages in my career path. The first was with an amazing architect practicing out of Sonoma, California, Amy Alper, who really showed me what it was to contextually elevate design in practice. Along with the design inspiration she provided, Amy successfully juggled her own private practice as full-time architect and mother, which I greatly admired and still think requires super powers!
Once I moved to Portland and started work at SERA Architects, I was lucky enough to bond with a smaller group of junior designers working together to find ways for more focused mentorship and growth within the firm. Our group in particular was inspired by The 1%, a pro bono program that calls upon designers to commit a minimum of one percent of their time to pro bono services. As a result, we engaged with the local nonprofit group p:ear, who happened to need design services for their first independent facility in Old Town. With mentorship from architect Tim Richard, we put together a project proposal, and with the firm’s blessing, kick-started our own pro bono project for p:ear’s tenant improvement. Tim really took the time to provide guidance throughout the process while being incredibly supportive of our overall ownership of the project, letting us lead from start to finish. I also gained a huge amount of experience by way of collaboration and support from my peers on the project (Suzanne Blair and Christina Tello). Having that opportunity to share in a project with two other highly motivated and talented junior designers was a one-of-a-kind experience and really inspired me to get licensed and focus on the next steps in my career.
On my current path, I have the support and mentorship of Sitework’s leadership, particularly our founder and chief, Jean Pierre Veillet, and our vice president of construction, Brad Sisk. They both provide input and guidance on how development, design and construction can work together to create better projects and efficiencies – something pretty specific to design-build and, I think, the way of the future for architecture.
Tenant improvement for p:ear (Jamie Forsythe)
What part of the job do you like best, and as an architect what do you think you most excel at?
I really enjoy the process of visioning and keeping a main concept on track from start to finish. To me this means understanding and knowing how to express the big picture needs of the project as it develops from design through construction. Getting to know a client and figuring out how to translate their vision/priorities. This could start as a quick diagram, a collage of images, or a written narrative, but cumulates as a concept that supports and conveys it all from those early ideas through the construction details – something I think design build especially excels at, and why I enjoy working at Siteworks so much. I know that sounds broad, but it’s really the process of collaboration within a team that I enjoy most – and when masterfully integrated, creates the best projects.
Also, I’m a sucker for a good schedule. It’s not sexy, but it’s a huge part of a successful project. I once scheduled and completed a major project submittal just in time to take maternity leave and have a baby the next day (thank goodness that baby held to her due date).
What are some Portland buildings (either new or historic) that you most admire?
Kengo Kuma’s work at the Japanese Garden is stunning. The way the architecture and landscape mingle and play off one another is unlike anything else I’ve seen in Portland. I was hesitant at first, because I loved the original garden so much and worried a renovation would change the intimate setting, but the scale of the additions are balanced with such considerate placement of the new buildings, and incredible attention to details and materials. It suits it perfectly.
What is your favorite building outside of Portland and besides any you’ve worked on?
The Truog (Gugalun) House in Graubünden, Switzerland by Peter Zumthor is one of my all-time favorite buildings. The integration of the original house and the addition is so beautifully considered, letting each influence the other but not overpower it. Not to mention Zumthor’s always evocative use of materials. Having been introduced to this project early on in school, it had a large part in inspiring my shift from interiors to architecture and kick started my obsession with renovation/adaptive reuse.
Truog House, Switzerland (Felipe Camus)
Is there a local architect or firm you think is unheralded or deserves more credit?
There are so many local architects and designers doing incredible work under the radar in Portland. There are plenty of big projects/names taking center stage these days, but I think some of the best work being done is by the teams that can adjust and adapt their design style and offerings according to what really suits a particular client, program and site. Perhaps I’m biased, but the design team at Siteworks has really grown leaps and bounds over the last five years, and I think the individual architects stepping up here are creating one of a kind projects. A few of those stellar architects include current Siteworks’ architect David McLaughlin and past architect Amy Palmer. These two architects bring a nimbleness to the practice that I find unique and I think reflects in the success of the projects they’ve been involved in.
The Bridgetown apartment project in Beaumont Village (Siteworks Design-Build)
What would you like to see change about Portland’s built environment in the long term?
More support for upgrading, adapting and bringing back to life the older/failing Portland buildings! I know the city is working on a policy particular to Portland’s URM buildings, and I can only hope that along with the requirements, that there are incentives to be had for owners/investors to really commit to fixing these buildings up. Renovation work is so often more complicated, more expensive and time consuming than building new, but with the right support and vision it could really make a huge difference in maintaining and supporting the diversity of buildings that make Portland so great.
How would you rate the performance of local government like the Portland Development Commission, or the development and planning bureaus?
I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with PDC, working with them on multiple feasibility and visioning projects over the years. I think the support they provide has the potential to be really life changing to local communities and individuals, but I’m always surprised how little the general public knows about their offerings. I hope with their rebranding as Prosper Portland there will be a new influx of activity.
My experience with BDS is more of a mixed bag, as it really depends on what the project is and who you end up working with there. I’ve had great experiences with reviewers who really know their stuff and aren’t afraid to give you advice or clear direction, but I’ve also had huge project delays and complications when direction is unclear, and requirements seem to change from one department or reviewer to the next. In my earlier years of navigating BDS it felt like the staff was there to help and wanted to work with you on getting a project through the process, but in the last few years it’s almost felt combative. There have always been outstanding resources there, but if you didn’t know who to ask, it can be a real crap shoot. All that said, in the last few months I’ve seen a real effort to bring back the more collaborative approach, which is better for everyone involved.
Who is a famous architect you’d like to see design a building in Portland?
Can I plug Peter Zumthor again? I’d love to see what he could do with CLT in Portland.
Name something besides architecture (sneakers, furniture, umbrellas) you love the design of.
Cake! I’m married to a professionally trained chef/baker, and we have been known to occasionally collaborate on friend’s wedding cakes. I love the gratification that comes from something that indulges multiple senses – and not to mention the relatively quick turnaround. It’s like making an edible model!
A cake by Griffin's spouse (Jessamyn Griffin)
What are three of your all-time favorite movies?
"The Grand Budapest Hotel" – for set and costume design, plus Wes Anderson is genius.
"Kubo and the Two Strings" – I watch a lot of kid movies with two little ones at home. The animation is amazing, the story is beautiful and deep, and it's humorous without being cutesy.
"Aliens" – what can I say? I have a secret love of monster movies.
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