Scott Edwards Architecture’s history can be described much like the firm’s present—driven by people.

While founded in 1998, SEA’s lineage stretches earlier. In 1990, founder Sid Scott joined a 6-person firm that included fellow founder, Kelly Edwards. As time went on, Scott and Edwards found themselves working together often and quickly realized their skill sets complemented each other—Sid as an enthusiastic, charge forward architect and Kelly as a well-rounded architect excelling in the technical aspects of the profession.

1990

Sid and Kelly begin working together at Architects Van Lom/Edwards

1997

Sid forms Scott Architecture and opens the NW Flanders Office

The formation of SEA was not immediate. Sid made the leap about 1 1/2 years prior to Kelly joining him, working 3 months in his basement before renting an office location big enough for 7.

1998

Kelly joins Sid and forms Scott | Edwards Architecture located in the NW Flanders Office with a team of 4

Propelled by a desire to move from a primarily hospitality book of business to one that was more diverse and also incorporated non-profit work, Sid proposed to Kelly that they form their own firm.

Founded on a principle of putting people first—staff, clients, community—SEA’s vision at the beginning and at present consists of providing exceptional client service and checking our ego at the door. We endeavor to foster a collaborative culture of well-rounded architects. We work on a new type of project every year, further cultivating thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators within our firm.

Some of Sid and Kelly’s first projects together at SEA represent these ideals.

Their very first project was for Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Clinic, now foundational to the firm’s focus on non-profits. Similarly, the Cornelius Public Works ignited an early interest in civic buildings and the intersection they occupy between form and function within communities. Another initial project in SEA’s portfolio is Shorepine Village, a residential, retail, and recreational development in Pacific City, Oregon. The development carefully integrates with the Oregon coast landscape of dunes and wetlands and is informed by a place-making sensibility still practiced by the firm today.

This corresponds to our other prevailing principle, design-forward.

SEA’s diverse project portfolio stems from Sid and Kelly’s dream to create a firm with an interest in non-profit projects and a wide-variety of market sectors. Without the limitation of any specific project type, SEA’s architects can pull from their range of experience and have the opportunity to pursue individual passions, resulting in stronger designs. Internally, SEA knows themselves to be the masters of the $100/sf budget, because ingenuity and the appeal of a challenge are built into the firm’s fiber.

In 2013, SEA saw many changes, including Kelly Edwards’ retirement and the addition of 6 new partners: Brian Mares, Alden Kasiewicz, Peter Grimm, Lisa McClellan, Rick Berry, and Jeff Hammond. Each partner leads their own studio, offering to our clients the experience of working with a boutique firm but with the resources of a larger one.

2001

SEA moves to Morrison office with a staff of 9

2007

SEA moves to Burnside office with a staff of 22

2009

University Park Community Center certified as SEA’s first LEED project

2013

Kelly retires and change in Partnership (7 Partners)

2016

Team expansion and brand update

With a growing partnership and a team now of 68, SEA outgrows Burnside moving a third of team into Ankeny Annex. A new building also gave a chance for a new brand update.

2018

SEA Celebrates 20 years!

2020

Construction begins on SEA’s new headquarters

Earned 60th industry design award

2021

SEA moves into completed headquarters

2022

SEA joins the AIA 2030 Challenge

Brand Update

two people at table looking over floor plans

While SEA has grown significantly since 1998, one thing has certainly remained the same—our ethos of “People First, Design Forward.”

Kelly Edwards

Co-founder

Kelly Edwards, AIA, grew up in Junction City, Oregon and attended the University of Oregon, graduating in 1977. He started his career with the Van Lom-Kraxberger Partnership and became a partner there in 1988 when the firm became Architects Van Lom/Edwards. In 1998 he joined Scott Architecture and together with Sid Scott, formed Scott Edwards Architecture.

Kelly was instrumental in the growth and success of the award-winning firm, and although he retired as a principal in 2013, he continued to be an active architect at SEA and was an important mentor to the staff. He had a particular passion and talent for the technical side of architecture, and his design influence is evident not just in his work, but in the work of those he mentored. He was responsible for a wide range of notable projects throughout the Pacific Northwest, including such Oregon favorites as the Portland City Grill and Henry’s 12th Street Tavern in Portland along with the Pelican Pub & Brewery in Pacific City.

On September 1, 2016, Kelly Edwards lost his battle with cancer at the age of 62. His presence at the firm and imprint on process, culture, and values is still felt by SEA today.