Archinect - News

Skylab Architecture teams up with Steel Hut to design modern ready-to-build and climate resistant dwellings

2024-03-02T17:29:00-05:00

Portland-based interdisciplinary design studio Skylab Architecture has announced its partnership with woman-owned kit home manufacturer Steel Hut to design forward-thinking, affordable dwellings that boast increased fire resistance and durability for harsh climates.

The prefabricated homes are entirely made of recycled and recyclable steel. They can be used in a variety of ways, such as accessory dwelling units (ADU) and remote living spaces. The interior of the homes are characterized as ultra-modern and warm. They have an impressive visual scale relative to their size. In addition, the houses provide indoor-outdoor connections through large windows.

Steel Hut’s "Jackrabbit Loft" model.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to work with Steel Hut to address the many challenges people face during the design and construction process. And being able to support people’s desire to live in nature is too important to miss,” said Susan Barnes, Principal at Skylab. “These home designs merge state...

Meet ‘band of makers’ Skylab Architecture: Your Next Employer?

2022-10-24T11:52:00-04:00

Following last week’s visit to Los Angeles-based LAUN, we are moving our Meet Your Next Employer series to Portland, OR this week to meet self-described “band of makers” Skylab Architecture.

Since its founding two decades ago, the firm has grown into a 30-strong team of architects and designers working on a mixed-use portfolio including residential, retail, and workplaces. Most recently, our editorial featured the firm’s Serena Williams-themed office building located at Nike’s World Headquarters in Oregon.

From their office in Portland, the firm is currently hiring for several positions on Archinect Jobs. For candidates interested in applying for a position, or anybody interested in learning more about life at an architecture studio, we spoke with Skylab principal Robin Wilcox for a behind-the-scenes look at the firm.

Snow Peak USA Flagship and Headquarters by Skylab

How did Skylab get started?

Skylab began with a spec house, 1680 Montgomery, before rolling the profits into the ne...

See inside Nike's new Serena Williams-themed office building

2022-07-20T19:18:00-04:00

Portland-based Skylab Architecture has shared new photos of its recently-completed signature office building dedicated to an American tennis legend (and design aficionado) and located at Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

The more-than-one-million-square-foot Serena Williams Building, anchored around a 12-story tower, was designed to help the sportswear giant maximize creative workflow and efficiency inside a new 2,750-person office whose focus is similar to recent workplace designs for other large corporations that are equally bent on re-instilling collaboration in a post-pandemic world.

Photo: Jeremy Bittermann

According to the architects, the theme of the “warrior muse,” a nod to the building’s namesake, served as material inspiration throughout the LEED Platinum-certified facility’s art-filled collection of workplaces, conference rooms, dining areas, laboratory spaces, and other coworking amenities.

Photo: Jeremy Bit...