Sarah Vaz is a licensed architect in Oregon and a senior associate at Holst Architects, where she has contributed to dozens of projects in Portland over the past nine years. As a project architect and designer, Sarah facilitates stakeholder and community meetings and believes the best approach to navigating diverse backgrounds and viewpoints is remaining curious while working to identify common goals.
“I am an architect with a passion for sustainable design and recent experience working with trauma-informed principles in the design of rehabilitation facilities,” she said. “Experiencing the city as a renter, bike commuter, recreational runner, and most recently a paddle boarder, I am continually amazed by the integration of vibrant neighborhoods with natural beauty in our community. In the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer, all flourishing is mutual. This includes our interactions with each other as well as with our surroundings, and I hope to positively contribute to the mutual flourishing of this city.”
Thomas Eldridge brings experience in both market rate and affordable housing development which began in his native London, UK. He now works as a development manager focused on the thoughtful planning and development of communities that enrich the quality of life of residents. He partners with local community-based organizations to develop affordable housing as part of Portland Housing Bureau’s North/Northeast Preference Policy.
“I want to help eliminate inequitable design which would otherwise negatively impact individuals and the broader community,” he said. “I would like to encourage developers and designers to act with a more equitable lens and focus on how their projects can positively affect the public at large. Designers and developers are inherently focused on the occupants who are privileged enough to enter their buildings and can disregard how it will make individuals and communities feel who can only experience it from the outside; it is toward this distinct area of real estate design that I would like to focus my energy.”
The Design Commission considers land use applications for proposals within design districts. It provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the design overlay zone. The design overlay zone ensures that Portland is both a city designed for people and a city in harmony with nature. It supports the city’s evolution within current and emerging centers of civic life, promoting design excellence in the built environment through the application of additional design standards and design guidelines.
Both appointments were confirmed unanimously by the City Council on May 29. Vaz began her term on June 1. Eldridge’s service begins on Nov. 1. Each will serve a four-year term.