YBA Architects

We imagine + design places that enhance the human experience.

Rooted in the Pacific Northwest and practicing worldwide, YBA Architects (also known as Yale + Brown) focuses on creating beautiful built environments that enrich communities. We believe each client deserves innovative thinking – a commitment to elevate the human experience, to respect the context and environment, and to always stay grounded in the practical realities of the project. Our clients trust us to help them make a positive impact that stands the test of time.

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Award-winning Q21's innovative re-use and pioneering podium establish an urban icon in Portland's Slabtown.

Q21 MIXED USE | PORTLAND, OR

We are experts in architectural and urban design

YBA is a leader in innovative mixed-use and multifamily development, transit-oriented development, urban design, and master planning.

Architectural Design

We're best known in Portland and beyond as a trusted partner in creating impactful, innovative projects that honor the needs of our clients, their tenants, and the community.

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Urban Design

Our work is rooted in the principles of good urbanism, enabling us to work with our clients to deliver visionary urban developments that empower and transform communities

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Interior Design

We believe the most effective design involves careful attention to every detail. Our interiors deliver elegance, integrity, and delight to ensure each project is a work of art, inside and out.

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Adaptive Reuse

We’ve turned shipping containers into vital classrooms in the bush of South Africa, and transformed defunct, abandoned warehouses into popular mixed-use developments, all on time and on budget.

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What our clients have to say

“YBA went above and beyond for our project—the YBA team far exceeded my expectations, engaging with broad and diverse community stakeholders, gracefully managing a complex design process with many competing interests to develop a concept design that directly addressed the needs of the community. Their designs were fresh, site-specific, contextually appropriate, and financially feasible. I appreciated their willingness to go the extra mile and would not hesitate to use them again for future projects. I recommend them to those looking for a firm that is easy to work with, knows how to listen to and constructively engage with communities and produces striking, world class design”

Josh Fuhrer - Downtown Rockwood Executive Director, Gresham Redevelopment Commission

“YBA expertly lead the master planning and architectural design process. They ran a great community engagement process, managed complex environmental issues and were excellent collaborators with the Port of Camas-Washougal and key stakeholders. Their ability to accessibly communicate their inspiring and dynamic vision has led to broad public support. With YBA as the lead architect, we are now confidently moving ahead with a landmark public-private partnership development that will re-shape the future of our community for generations.”

David Ripp - Hyas Point Executive Director, the Port of Camas-Washougal

“We’ve found YBA to be excellent communicators and people who are always focused on keeping project success as their number one priority. They are easy to work with and maintain an exceptional attention to detail. Their open, cooperative style is critical to making the overall design process a success.”

Steve Deacon - Merx Mixed-Use Apartments Founder and Principal, Deacon Development

“From initial RFP submittal through community engagement, visioning and master planning, all the way to issuance of building permits, the City of Gresham has had a great experience working with YBA. The team has been professional, proactive and responsive at every step of the pre-development and entitlement process. They delivered design that set a new standard for architecture of its kind in our community, and did so within the timeframe and according to the parameters their development teams had committed to in the Development Agreements. They connected well with staff at all levels and departments and also with the community at large.”

Eric Schmidt SE CBO - Alta Civic Station Assistant City Manager, City of Gresham

“Working with YBA was rewarding and inspirational. It was clear that YBA had a deep understanding of our preferred outcomes and expectations for envisioning a future for our site. From the start, the design process was collaborative in nature and our feedback was respected and integrated. The results provided inspiration in moving forward with our efforts at community outreach and development solicitation. We would happily recommend YBA to other agencies or private development interests looking for help in developing challenging and impactful sites while reflecting a community’s expectations and needs.”

Chris Damgen - Confluence Troutdale Community Development Director, City of Troutdale

“YBA worked with the City as an integral partner in the engagement of neighbors and the community to create a vision for a vibrant development. Through this process of engagement, a plan that addressed the neighborhood’s needs was developed, including access to fresh food, space for community serving non-profits, gathering spaces, and new mixed-income and affordable housing. Through ongoing consultation and discussion with City staff and the Design Commission, the final design received broad support and was approved unanimously. YBA’s architectural and site design created a new, iconic center for a diverse community, catalyzing new investment and development in the surrounding community.”

David Berniker - Downtown Rockwood Director of Planning & Urban Development, City of Gresham

What our clients have to say

“YBA went above and beyond for our project—the YBA team far exceeded my expectations, engaging with broad and diverse community stakeholders, gracefully managing a complex design process with many competing interests to develop a concept design that directly addressed the needs of the community. Their designs were fresh, site-specific, contextually appropriate, and financially feasible. I appreciated their willingness to go the extra mile and would not hesitate to use them again for future projects. I recommend them to those looking for a firm that is easy to work with, knows how to listen to and constructively engage with communities and produces striking, world class design”

Josh Fuhrer - Downtown Rockwood Executive Director, Gresham Redevelopment Commission

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Rockwood Market Hall - Interior

At the center of Oregon's most diverse community, the Rockwood Market Hall is a heart-center for the neighborhood.

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