Portland Society of Architects (PSA) is a non-profit membership organization founded in 2006 to promote the progress and economic development of Greater Portland by encouraging innovation and vision in design and planning.

WHO BELONGS TO PSA?

PSA’s growing membership includes architects, engineers, landscape architects, design professionals, and individuals committed to the protection and enhancement of those aspects of urban design which contribute greatly to Portland’s economic activity and cultural identity. Through advocacy and informational programming, PSA engages a broad constituency in the effort to insure that Portland will ultimately take its place among the truly great smaller cities in the United States.

PSA’s ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2009

PSA’s achievements this past year have benefited both our membership and our community. In keeping with our mission to advocate for design excellence and provide opportunities for collegiality in the design community we have:

• Successfully recruited an architect for appointment to the Portland Planning Board
• Promoted the streamlining of development review in testimony to the Planning Board
• Joined with other stakeholders in an ongoing effort to secure an inspiring replacement for the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge
• Presented “Sustainable Portland by 2030” How Do We Get There?” in partnership with the Urban Land Institute of Boston
• Established a design award for unbuilt projects and for local buildings that have stood the “Test of Time”
• Continued to build on the success of our current events: 10 Minute Architect, Conversations, and the Boston architectural tour
• Fostered networking opportunities through our fall and spring social events
• Redesigned our website, providing our sponsors with increased visibility and our membership with better access to information about our activities and each others’ accomplishments
• Appeared before the Planning Board in support of a controversial building project on Munjoy Hill
• Testified before the City Council and Planning Board in support of the creation of the Congress Street Historic District

PSA’S PLANS FOR 2010

• Maintain a strong advocacy effort
• Continue to provide thought-provoking and fun events and programs
• Present an action-oriented follow-up program to “Sustainable Portland in 2030”
• Collaborate with Architalx to present a lecture focused on some aspect of urban design relevant to Portland
• Expand our educational outreach to include architect presentations on design to local organizations

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BECOME A PSA MEMBER.  IT IS A GREAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY AND ENJOYABLE AS WELL.

JOIN OUR EFFORT TO IMPACT THE FUTURE OF PORTLAND’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT