Last week, Tiffany attended Living Future 2025: Accelerating Regenerative Action with the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) in Portland, Oregon. One of the highlights of the conference was touring the PAE Living Building in the Old Town neighborhood of the city. She took some time to share more about her experience on the tour:
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to tour the PAE Living Building in downtown Portland—an inspiring example of sustainable, human-centered design. The building is fully net-zero energy and water-powered by rooftop solar and on-site rainwater treatment, and constructed with low-tox, locally sourced materials.
Highlights included the daylit central stairwell, with use of thoughtfully placed fire-rated glazing and LED lights that change color based on usage—a fun way to promote wellness and reduce elevator reliance. The prominently placed Native artwork in the lobby added cultural depth and warmth to the space. Each floor also showcases regionally inspired pieces, enhancing the building’s inviting atmosphere. The PAE Living Building is a compelling model for how high-performance design can also be beautiful, functional, and deeply thoughtful.
The big takeaway from the conference is that we’re right there with the changemakers. Sometimes it’s easy to feel like a small part of a huge movement but being here reminded me that Architecture Advantage is actually helping lead the way. Our genuine interest and passion for what we do really sets us apart. I know it might sound a little fluffy, but it’s true—what we do matters.
ILFI strives “to cultivate a society that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative” – all of which aligns with Architecture Advantage’s values. Through the pursuit of our Just. label, we have only become more involved and committed to supporting these goals through our work and can’t wait to share our applications through design in the future.
You can learn more about ILFI’s Just. label here, and our journey to obtaining ours here.
