Portland-based architecture firm Linden, Brown Architecture has rebranded as Observation Studio, marking a new phase in its evolution. Regular Archinect readers may remember our interview with the firm earlier this year, where they shared insights into their design process and the influence of the Pacific Northwest on their work.

The rebranding follows the end of a five-year partnership between co-founders Brent Linden and Chris Brown, who launched the firm to collaborate on projects such as Sequitur Winery. Brown will now lead the practice independently. “Observation is in honor of the slow, careful work of looking that is required to do the kind of architecture I produce,” Brown shared with Archinect. “Studio is in honor of the collaborative spirit that drives the heart of our practice.”

The firm’s focus on cultural, hospitality, and residential projects remains unchanged, though its internal structure has shifted. “Shifting from a partnership to a practice that’s collaborative in nature but run by a single vision has changed how the studio operates day-to-day,” Brown shared. “The scale and complexity of the projects in the studio are increasing, which keeps the work more engaging than ever.”

The transition was managed entirely in-house, reflecting what Brown described as the studio’s strong graphic sensibilities and clear understanding of its identity. Despite these changes, the firm’s philosophy continues to be rooted in the material traditions of the Pacific Northwest, blending sensitivity to craft with innovative approaches to form and design.

Observation Studio is currently seeking an Intermediate Designer to join their team. Brown described their dream candidate as “someone equally devoted to craft and client relationships; our work is at once intensely personal, focused, and material, and relies on a lot of communication and collaboration. We’d also like someone who understands the sensibilities of the Pacific Northwest and loves these landscapes as much as we do.” Read more about this job opportunity on Archinect Jobs.

We asked Chris Brown to share a few of his favorite things about living and working in Portland. “I’m constantly discovering the abundant natural wonders the Pacific Northwest has to offer. From the rugged coastline to the alpine regions of the Cascades and Wallowa mountain ranges, I’m in awe of how lucky we are living here. We are a supporter of the Portland Japanese Garden, which has been established in Portland for over 60 years and offers a beautifully curated oasis right in the middle of the city. Culturally, we have an incredible creative community as well. From Spartan Shop, a gallery and design showroom run by my fearless and dear friend Currie Person, to Nationale, an art space focused on emerging artists that we designed a few years ago, there is an embarrassment of cultural and community riches to enjoy here.”