Firm Statement
WORKS Architecture is a collective of fearless design leaders committed to pushing the boundaries of conventional architecture with award-winning, innovative building practices.
We lead with bold ideas.
Proudly 100% woman-owned and majority women-staffed, our approach to design embraces a collaborative leadership style, drawing on the expertise of our diverse studio comprised of established and emerging voices.
We believe truly exceptional design is achieved by encompassing various viewpoints.
Earning more than 60 design awards since Principal Carrie Strickland founded the practice in 2005, our wide spectrum of project types have been internationally-recognized for their dedication to their craft.
From spearheading the broader use of mass-timber in Oregon and California, and designing the first high-rise in Los Angeles' Arts District, we help our clients realize the full range of possibilities for their developments.
We don’t just design buildings—we create architecture that WORKS.
Design Awards
2024
24 - Phase III Urban Design & Architecture Design Awards - Gold Award
2023
Quince - The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award
24 - Phase III The Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award - Honorable Mention
Hotel Grand Stark DeMuro Excellence in Preservation
Quince Architizer A+ Award - Finalist
Quince Urban Design & Architecture Design Awards - Gold Award
W.PA Build Magazine - Best Mixed-Use Architecture Firm - Oregon
2022
24 - Phase III AIA Oregon Design Awards - Unbuilt Merit Award
2021
Miles Terrace - Top Projects, Vancouver, WA
2020
Flatiron AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Design Awards - Merit Award
7 SE Stark CRE - Transformer Award
Mission Ballroom CRE - Best New Development
W.PA Architect Magazine: Architects Top 50 Firms in Business - Rank 6, Excellence Score 93.6
W.PA DJC 2020 Building Diversity Award
2019
7 SE Stark AIA Portland Citation Award
W.PA BUILD Architecture Awards - Best Architectural Design Studio 2019 - Pacific Coast
W.PA BUILD Architecture Awards - Best Woman Led Mixed-Use Design Practice - Los Angeles
7 SE Stark Portland Business Journal CRE Transformer Award
2018
W.PA Architect Magazine: Architects Top 50 Firms Design Category Rank 20, Excellence Score 75.3
Carrie Strickland named AIA Fellow
2017
Slate AIA Pacific Northwest Region Citation Award
Doppelganger AIA Portland Citation Award
Framework The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, American Architecture Award
Slate DJC Oregon TopProjects, First Place, Category: Mixed Use / New Construction
W.PA Architect Magazine: Architects Top 50 Firms Design Category Rank 15, Excellence Score 82.3
2016
W.PA Architect Magazine: Architects Top 50 Firms Design Category Rank 5, Excellence Score 93.1
Framework Portland Business Journal Commercial Real Estate Award
Framework US WoodWorks Wood Design Award Commercial Design
Framework Architizer A+ Awards, Special Mention
Framework ArchDaily Building of the Year Finalist Offices
Framework AIA Portland Merit Award
Framework AIA Portland Craftsmanship Award
Slate AIA Portland Honor Award
Slate AIA Portland Mayor's Honorable Mention
2015
Langano Apartments AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Merit Award
2014
Bowstring Truss House AIA Portland Built Merit
Overton 19 AIA Portland Built Citation
33rd & Division AIA Portland Built Citation
2013
W.PA AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Emerging Firm Award
Washougal Incubator Block AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Design Award
2012
Washougal Incubator Block AIA Portland Sustainability Award
2011
Tandem Duo AIA Portland Built Honor
Overton Residence AIA Portland Unbuilt Merit
Tandem Duo AIA Portland Mayor‘s Award for Design Excellence
2010
300b P/A (Progressive Architecture) Award
bSIDE6 AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Built Citation
Olympic Mills Commerce Center AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Built Citation
Tandem Duo BIA Best Multi-Family Project
Prototype BIA Outstanding Architecture
bSIDE6 OCAPA Excellence in Concrete Award Commercial Category
2009
bSIDE6 AIA Oregon Built Honor
Workforce Housing AIA Oregon Citation
Tandem Duo AIA Oregon Citation
W.PA Design Vanguard Architectural Record
2008
W.PA Portland Spaces Root Awards Rising Star
Olympic Mills Commerce Center Portland Spaces Root Awards Work/Lounge Runner Up
Theater 300b AIA Oregon Merit
Grow.PDX AIA Oregon Merit
2007
Olympic Mills Commerce Center AIA Oregon Built Merit
enCased Houses AIA Oregon Merit
2631 NW Vaughn Street AIA Oregon Citation
2006
bSIDE6 AIA Oregon Merit
W.PA Willamettee Week‘s »Best of Portland« Best New Purveyor of Architectural Porn
2005
Yamhill Industrial Work Space AIA Oregon Merit
Olympic Mills Commerce Center AIA Oregon Citation