Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Great art requires talent and determination. Building a showcase for the arts is equally ambitious. The Center for the Arts is a watershed development in Beaverton’s history — a city that is balancing high livability standards with the need for rapid growth.
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Knot designed this center’s environmental graphics to bring the community together while bridging its surrounding urban and natural environments. Knot’s design weaves the unique elements of the building’s design with its environment, creating ties between the urban hardscape and the beauty of an adjacent stream. As Beaverton’s cultural jewel, the new theater, art gallery, exhibit space, and classrooms are a unifying force in the city’s diverse culture. A firm understanding of the architectural narrative drove Knot’s design process, which included exercises using visioning cards to create a theme for the environmental graphics design.

Research into the rich natural history of this Washington County city revealed the vital role of an adjacent stream to the area’s overall ecosystem. With this deep understanding gained from iterative experimentation, Knot designed a program that celebrates the site’s subtle natural beauties while communicating the center’s architectural language.

For a deeper look, see our case study.