Recapping Our First-Ever Design Trail Tour
December 16, 2025
In November 2025, AFO led an intimate design tour of Hood River, OR and Bingen, WA with a group of architects, engineers, contractors, and design enthusiasts. We discovered historic and contemporary buildings and the leaders that are initiating innovation while celebrating the natural and historic beauty of the Gorge.
“I felt so lucky to be introduced through this design trail weekend to the passionate people designing and building in Hood River. It was inspiring to see the ways that design can help preserve a sense of place while also building towards a bright future for everyone in the community. AFO put together an incredible weekend and really highlighted the best that the Gorge has to offer.”
Day 1: Hood River Renovations
Our first day in Hood River featured renovation projects led by resident designers and developers. We began in the heart of the city at the Lightwell Hotel & Spa, formerly the Hotel Waucoma, where our tour attendees were staying. The in-depth tour with owners Carrington (Ceb) Barrs and Gabe Genauer featured tales of the complex property and their purposeful partnerships with local services and artists to make a dream come true.
After lunch, we embarked on a Renovation Walking Tour of Hood River, visiting three projects by local owners and developers.
- Union Building Lofts: Designed and developed by Pasquale Barone and Jacquie Barone, The Union Building is a historic landmark in the heart of downtown Hood River. Built in the early 1900’s as a rail shipment facility for the local fruit industry, the Union Building has now assumed a new purpose, undergoing renovation into studios and office spaces.
- Butler Bank Building: Designed by renowned architect A.E. Doyle and erected in 1924, the building is a meticulously restored example of the Egyptian Revival style. The building was renovated by Steffan Lunding in 2012, ensuring that the original design elements had been restored and featured, and is now home to the 301 Gallery and open to the public.
- Thistledown on Oak: This 19th-century-themed boutique hotel is perched on the top floors of the Historic First National Bank Building. Owner Bradford Perron and his wife Sarah renovated the top floor of the over 100-year-old building, facing significant challenges while maintaining the building’s Historic Registry status.
The day concluded with a delightful wine tasting at the Phelps Creek Vineyards Tasting Room, where guests enjoyed the unique architecture of the tasting room and had the opportunity to chat with Robert Morus and Lynette Barss-Morus, owners of the vineyard. The group then convened for a lively dinner and retreated to the Lightwell Hotel for a rest before Day 2.
“Seeing the projects from the architects and developers perspective, let us see the backstory and history and successes. It also allowed us to tour properties we may not have had access to otherwise.”
Day 2: Architectural Gems in Hood River and Bingen
Our morning began at the Hood River Waterfront Park with Ben Johnson, Principal and Landscape Architect at GreenWorks. The group toured the park and learned about the nature-forward approach to the waterfront, allowing for residents and visitors alike to have easy access to the Columbia River. The park features a nature-based playground, access points for water sports, and spaces for convening large gatherings.
We transitioned from the Waterfront Park to the Outpost with Skylab Owner Jeff Kovel and developer Claudia Munk-Von Flotow. Outpost is a phased, hybrid structure merging recreation, retail and work environments to foster and reinforce a sense of community in a developing section of Hood River. Jeff and Claudia shared the immense opportunity for residents and Gorge visitors to engage with the waterfront through this impressive structure, along with challenges they faced while developing during the pandemic.
After a delicious lunch and brewery tour at Ferment, the group embarked over the river to the city of Bingen, Washington to explore the Society Hotel. Owner Jonathan Cohen, architect Ben Waechter, and Mayor of Bingen Catherine Kiewit led a discussion and tour of the impressive project, including the preservation of the beloved community gathering space of the Bingen School. The leaders spoke of the impact that the renovation and project has had on the small town of Bingen, and the importance of showcasing and celebrating the outstanding views of the Columbia River Gorge. The group got a peek into the guest rooms and bath house before convening in the restored gym, where the original floors and bleachers remain intact.
The tour closed with a happy hour at the Society Hotel, during which we also heard more about the 2025 VEB Fellow, Rand Pinson, and his project to elevate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail into a cohesive and impactful national park experience.
“What a way to cap off AFO in 2025. This was a great opportunity to meet new friends and get a behind the scenes tour of interesting projects in Hood River and Bingen.”
Thank You
We extend a huge thank you to our inaugural tour attendees and stop facilitators, as well as Don Tankersley & Co. and Skylab Architecture for sponsoring meals. Proceeds from the Design Trail help fund AFO’s impactful mission and educational programs like Architects in Schools, Formation Mentorship, and Scholarship Program.
Stay tuned for our next Design Trail, and we hope that you can join us! We also encourage you to take your own self-guided tour and explore these wonderful places in the Gorge.
