Merryman Barnes Architects

At Merryman Barnes Architects, we believe that everyone deserves access to beautiful, thoughtful, creative, and inspirational spaces. We design spaces that inspire well-being, joy, peace, and positive change. Our ethos is built on the understanding that every person who visits a place brings with them a different perspective, a different set of abilities, and a different past. We lead with compassion and are driven by a civic purpose - to be of service to ALL of our community.

Our Culture

Since our inception in 1992 by three women architects, we have valued supporting all members of our community. The ethos of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is, and always has been, the lens through which we operate. We believe that in order to serve our community best, we need to keep our staff happy and healthy. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including family leave and retirement plan in addition to health and dental coverage. We offer flexibility for families, and we encourage balance and prioritize mental health and well-being for our team. We offer a robust continuing education and community service policy. At Merryman Barnes, we believe that in order to do their best, our team should feel at home at work. Our staff should feel supported, safe, and free to express themselves. We ask for input, and we listen. We check our egos at the door and come to work with a sense of purpose and compassion, and enjoy ourselves doing it.

Giving Back

Giving back matters. We proudly support organizations such as Taking Ownership PDX, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, De La Salle North High School, Bridges Middle School, Union Gospel Mission, and Solar Oregon. Additionally, we set aside time for all staff to volunteer regularly at the organization(s) of their choice throughout the year.

Sustainability

Designing sustainably is no longer optional - it's a must. As designers of the built environment, we have a great responsibility to reduce carbon emissions by creating more sustainable buildings and educating our clients about the systems that make buildings more environmentally friendly. We are taking actionable steps to be the best stewards of the environment that we can. We have joined the AIA Commitment to Sustainability project to help us track real data on how well we are meeting our goals. We specify local materials with post-consumer recycled content whenever possible. We apply LEED and USGBC practices to our projects as much as possible, even if the building isn't seeking official certification. In the office, we minimize the usage of paper and when we do use it, we make sure both sides get used before it goes into the recycle bin. We have partnered with a neighboring coffee shop to compost all of our food waste. We encourage the use of public transportation or bicycle commuting by staff. We use responsible haulers who donate items to local non-profit organizations, rather than putting them in a landfill, when we have moved or needed to purge items.

Certifications

NCARB: registered Architects in Oregon, Washington and Idaho

State of Oregon: Oregon Women Business Enterprise (WBE)

Disadvantaged Business (DBE)

COBID # 1216

City of Portland: Equal Opportunity employer

AIA Oregon: American Institute of Architects members (Portland Chapter)

Meet Us

Merryman Barnes Architects Inc. was founded in 1992 by three trailblazing women as the first 100% female-owned architecture firm in Portland, Oregon. Decades and an ownership transition later, we are still 100% women-owned and delighted to carry the torch forward. While the design and performance of our projects is always of the utmost concern, the people we work with are equally important. Go on, get to know us!

Our Team

Featured

AMY PALMER

OWNER & PRINCIPAL

Washington State University, BA.

Amy has been in the industry for over 20 years and is an expert idea generator, Jane of all trades, project manager, and big picture thinker. With past experience in the design, she specializes in making spaces that inspire well-being, joy, peace, and positive change.