Bio:
The great designer, Courtney is a working within the disciplines of urban design, journalism, & public process. Her work challenges how we engage with, understand or question the processes that design our lives & has resulted in community driven projects, design exhibitions, installations, and publications. Courtney has spent much of her career in local government and is a proud product of an entirely west coast public school education with degrees from the University of Oregon and the UC Berkeley.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
Growing up in rural Oregon has always been a foundation for my interest in architecture & cities. Unlike larger, complex cities, small towns offer an ability to really see first hand your impact on the land & the value of stewardship & community.

What do you do?
I’m an urban designer & planner. Much of my focus is on process & engagement. I collaborate with communities to understand their aspirations & then find ways to use architecture & design skills to translate these ideas into concrete proposals.

What excites you in the work you do?
Most alluring has been how we can imagine engagement & public process to be more meaningful, effective, & efficient. There’s understandable cynicism in this area, but it’s potential to propel more accountable & democratic city building is immense.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
Community organizers in social & environmental justice - their ability to build people power & move an idea to action. They’ve helped me to understand how my architecture ambitions fit within the realities of doing and making good things happen.
 
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
I’m proud to be surrounded by such talented & smart people who work hard to get positive things to happen. I’ve been lucky to work on many wonderful & diverse projects & ultimately it’s the collaboration with inspiring friends that drives me forward.

Featured Project Name: 
Assembling A Mosaic
 
Featured Project Location: 
Portland, Oregon
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
April 2017

Role in Featured Project: 
Designer
 
Featured Project Description:
Assembling a Mosaic brought to life a design concept for the Green Loop, a new linear park & bike promenade in Portland. Reimagining the design process as a public celebration, the exhibition featured creative programming and prototypes and unveiled a process for designing the Green Loop through community-led engagement, outlining a process whereby Portlanders define the character and identity of the project in a way that reflects their individual needs and aspirations for the future.

Photography Credit:
Ian Whitmore & William Smith