Creative Spark Design Competition

2026 Design Competition

Inspired by the idea of being “In Motion”, this year’s design challenge is to create a model of a space or feature that plays on the idea of movement, sited at Mount Tabor Park in SE Portland.

Want to learn more about the design competition before signing up? Join us at our virtual Info Session on April 21, 5-6pm! Register here.

Important Dates:

• April 1: Design competition registration opens
• April 21, 5-6pm, Virtual: Design competition info session
• May 1: Design competition registration deadline
• May 5: Design competition team orientation
• May 28, 5:30-8pm, DLR Group: Final designs completed, presented, and judged at Creative Spark event

Entry Fee (per team): $100

Fundraising Goal: Each team is responsible for raising $500 in support of Architects in Schools. Your entry fee will be applied to your fundraising goal. AFO will provide a fundraising page for you to share as well as supportive language and materials for your efforts.

Access the Design Competition Brief

Register your team by May 1

2025 Design Competition Awards

D.R.E.A.M. (Designing Really Exciting Architecture Models) Team: Pavilion

Awarded People’s Choice and Most Visually Appealing

Team Members: Emily Matis and Hugh Bitzer

The pavilion design draws inspiration from the life cycle and movement of Chinook salmon, whose annual upstream migration represents both struggle and renewal. Just as these fish navigate complex, shifting currents to return to their place of origin, the structure seeks to embody motion against resistance—anchored yet dynamic, fluid yet intentional.

DLR Group: Treehouse on the Willamette

Awarded Best Inspiration from Nature

Team Members: Justin Stranzl, Kelli Stewart, Kaylene Campbell

Throughout the summer, Tom McCall Waterfront Park is packed with visitors for concerts and festivals. But the grass ends up trampled and dead, attendees go home with sunburns, and shorter concertgoers can’t see the performers. The Treehouse on the Willamette solves all of these problems: Attendees can stay off the grass, find shade either inside the treehouse or under a shading branch, and enjoy views of the entire city.

Mackenzie: Portland Pavilion

Awarded Best Celebration of Portland

Team Members: Alison Hoagland, Delaney Bradley, Ashley Fenner, Quincey Gerow

The design represents a cut rose that has landed on the ground after the rose parade. Visitors can pretend to be their favorite pollinator by running and playing along the structure. The shape of the fallen flower creates a fun and interactive experience for all visitors to the park and truly celebrates Portland, Rose City Style.

NBBJ: RIPPLE

Awarded Best Place to Hang Out with Family and Friends

Team Members: Ryan Brunelle, Jessica Radecki, Virginia Black, Evon Calabrese

RIPPLE is inspired by rain falling on the surface of a still pond, changing the flat surface into a pattern of overlapping ridges and valleys and redirecting light. The existing Saturday Market and Bill Naito Legacy Fountain, honoring Portland’s immigrants, serve as the two sparks to reimagine the importance of the river to the City of Portland, with a third being a new rental kiosk floating in the Willamette.

Opsis Otters: Observation Tower & Waterslide

Awarded Best Use of Recycled Materials

Team Members: Sina Meier, Kirsten Justice, Nancy Pelayo-Colores, Nada Maani

Inspired by river otters, this design leads visitors down a sloped walkway leading from downtown into the river. Visitors pass by logs and plants, getting glimpses into what the otter’s life is like. The walkway dips below the water with views out to the river bed, before it turns up into a glassy observation tower/elevator with a viewing platform for sunbathing, partying, and seeing the city from a brand new perspective.