The Design Trail: Columbia River Gorge

AFO is taking Dine & Design on the road!

Join us for an intimate design tour of Hood River and surrounding areas with other design enthusiasts. Discover historic and contemporary buildings and the leaders that are initiating innovation while celebrating the natural and historic beauty of the Gorge.

This two-day experience will be brimming with design as guests enjoy incredible structures and hear from the teams that built them. Guests are encouraged to stay at the soon-to-be-unveiled Lightwell Hotel + Spa, formerly the Hotel Waucoma, in the heart of downtown Hood River.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Friday, November 14

• Lightwell Hotel + Spa private lunch and tour with the visionaries involved in the project
• Renovation Walking Tour of Hood River, stops including the Butler Bank Building with Steffen Lunding and the Union Building Lofts with Pasquale and Jacquie Barone
• Dinner and wine tasting at Phelps Creek Vineyards Tasting Room

Day 2 – Saturday, November 15

• Hood River Waterfront and Outpost tour and lunch at Ferment with Jeff Kovel (Skylab), Claudia Munk-Von Flotow (Key Development), and GreenWorks
• Society Hotel tour with owner Jonathan Cohen, architect Ben Waechter, and Mayor of Bingen Catherine Kiewit
• Closing happy hour

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover Hood River and the Gorge with fellow lovers of design and the Pacific Northwest. Proceeds from this tour help fund AFO’s impactful mission and educational programs like Architects in Schools, Formation Mentorship, and Scholarship Program.

Details

• The cost per person is $475 for members and $525 for non-members, not including accommodations or transportation. Not a member yet? Join now!
• The deadline to register is October 24, 2025. We have limited spots available – book ASAP to reserve your place!
• All meals will be included in the tour.
• Accommodations are to be reserved by attendees. We have a block of discounted rooms for our guests at the Lightwell Hotel + Spa and strongly encourage attendees to stay with us Friday night with an option to stay Saturday night as well. The discounted cost of the rooms is $161.00 for both King and Queen rooms. Details will be sent after tickets are purchased.
• Guests will provide their own transportation. AFO will provide detailed information about the tour stop locations and accessibility. AFO can assist in arranging carpooling for those interested.
• We can accommodate up to 16 people for the tour.

The Design Trail: Columbia River Gorge

Friday, November 14 – Saturday, November 15
Hood River and surrounding areas

Register Now

AFO Members – $475
Non-AFO Members – $525