SAJ Architecture

At SĀJ Architecture, we’ve developed several custom tools for stakeholder engagement, including our Patent Pending Modular Planning Kit. SĀJ Principal Architect Jonah Jensen created the clickable kit to help clients understand spatial relationships and explore design options in group settings. We use it for interior space planning on a variety of project types and can further customize it for clients with specific operational needs. This tangible, hands-on kit is an effective communication tool and adds a little play to the design experience.

Last week we broke out the kit while designing our own new office space, which will accommodate our growing SĀJ Portland team. The process allowed for quick and collaborative design — with a little fun built in (even if we look serious in the photo!).

We have added a few new faces over the past two months and need to catch up on making introductions!

First up is Nathanael Werner, AIA, NCARB, who recently joined us as a Project Architect in our Bend office. Nathanael has nearly 20 years of experience working on public and private projects, and his portfolio includes K-12, industrial, residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.

Nathanael's reputation in the community as a collaborative and capable architect proceeded him, and we are happy he decided to join us at SĀJ Architecture! He was more than game to participate in our mock-project-style interview, during which seasoned Project Architect Casey Campbell put in an Oscar-worthy performance as "First-Year Intern Who Has a Lot of Questions." We all agreed that Nathanael's willingness to laugh along with us was a very good sign.

Nathanael is currently integrating into our commercial and multifamily residential project teams. And, with his K-12 experience, we suspect there's some more school work in his near future, too.

Please join us in welcoming Nathanael!

Yesterday, our Morrow County School District engagement team presented our pre-design DAC experience to the rest of our firm. Running these facilitation sessions for MCSD was such a great experience, we wish everyone in the firm could have participated. And, honestly, we’re a little sad that pre-design has come to a close.

Now, the trail splits and schematic design for Irrigon Jr/Sr High School moves forward. The design team will take the insights and feedback gathered during these initial DAC meetings and get to work bringing the vision created during pre-design into a built reality for the community.

Thank you to Wenaha Group for being supportive partners, and thank you to the district and DAC members for heading up this adventure!

Redmond School District | The District recently completed a 100% Design Development page-turn with its design team and consultants, ensuring that District standards and end-user needs are fully integrated. This collaboration provides a valuable opportunity to streamline details, strengthen alignment, and confirm that the design direction is accurate. The Project Team is excited to keep the Redmond High School bond projects moving forward with accuracy, transparency, and teamwork.

Morrison-Maierle
Pence Contractors
SAJ Architecture