Our Approach to Planning and Community Design

The Big Picture

FFA's urban design group has been involved in many projects that make Portland and the state of Oregon a model of Urban Planning in America. As a firm of architects with expertise in urban design and planning, we understand the full scope of these projects, from economics to final design and construction.

Turning Planning Into Reality

We look at architecture and urban design together, as two sides of the same coin. Each element informs the other. Our plans benefit from the knowledge that they will support and accommodate the architecture that will result from the plan, and the resulting architecture is stronger for responding to the needs of the overall plan.

Diverse Input Produces Unique Solutions

We work with developers, municipalities, community groups, and public transportation agencies to produce lasting, thoughtful designs that effectively meet the needs of these diverse groups while keeping people at the heart of our designs. Our planning and architecture combine an orientation toward the pedestrian with an understanding of the key role that the automobile and other transportation choices make in overall project success.