Scott Edwards Architecture has a passion for community architecture. By designing public spaces, we have the opportunity to uplift and inspire everyone. With recreation and aquatics design, we see the role we play in contributing to community and individual wellness. Spaces like these promote activity, fitness, connection, and learning, and the architectural approach helps determine how all the pieces come together to create somewhere meaningful.
SEA’s recreation and aquatics work comprises facilities across the state of Oregon, ranging in scope from feasibility studies to renovations to new builds. No matter the location or scope, the intention is to expand access to impactful programming and deliver essential community assets that become treasured destinations.
Below, we introduce our Recreation and Aquatics team designers, their experience, and what makes them passionate about their work. This team is part of SEA’s larger Community team, a group that designs public, non-profit, civic, and affordable housing projects with a neighborhood focus. While they comprise the firm’s core recreation and aquatics team, each works on other typologies as well, bringing dynamism and creative ideas from other project types to develop solutions that transcend niche focus.
Andra Zerbe grew up in communities that invested in recreation and aquatics, and as a kid, spent a significant amount of her free time partaking in these programs. She experienced firsthand how valuable this was to her childhood, and now, as a designer, is passionate about bringing that same joy and access to others through her work. Knowing that thousands of people will be welcomed into facilities that she contributes to is meaningful to her. Currently, Andra is working on the Osborn Aquatic Center Facilities Assessment and the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center.
Jenna Hays sees her work as an interior designer as an opportunity to elevate the experience of a space at the human-level. She is passionate about how this applies in recreation and aquatics design because public spaces like these are enjoyed by so many and are a tremendous community asset. She applies her understanding of trauma-informed and universal design principles to develop a welcoming and engaging environment for all. Most recently, Jenna worked on the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center.
Jennifer Marsicek is passionate about recreation and aquatics design because of the ability places like this have to improve health and well-being. Communities benefit from public programs, and she enjoys learning from all project stakeholders—municipalities, neighborhood organizations, rec leagues, and more—what they envision for their facility and taking what she learns to develop an inclusive and functional space. Currently, Jennifer is working on the North Portland Aquatic Center, Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center, and the Osborn Aquatic Center Facilities Assessment.
Kara Grothen enjoys serving the community in a way that is structured and rigorous, so the complexities of recreation and aquatics design are right in her wheelhouse. She is also passionate about architecture that is responsive to underserved communities, and finds that public projects provide an opportunity to expand access to services and programming in a meaningful way. Kara is currently working on the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center, the North Portland Aquatic Center, and the Osborn Aquatic Center Facilities Assessment.
Roseva Saa understands the value of recreation and aquatics centers to the communities they serve, particularly here in Oregon where it rains for a large portion of the year and having indoor places for activity is important. It is this understanding that she brings to her work, using thoughtful design to create flexible, welcoming environments for all to enjoy. Currently, Roseva is working on the North Portland Aquatic Center, a new facility aimed at increasing inclusion and access in the North Portland neighborhood.
Over his career, Sid Scott has found recreation and aquatics design to be fulfilling and exciting work. In this typology, his passion for community-based architecture pairs perfectly with his love of sports, and he enjoys engaging with the people who will use the space to bring their vision to life. Sid is currently working on the North Portland Aquatic Center, the Toledo Pool and Recreation Center, and the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center.
Tim Gordon has spent a lot of time in recreation and aquatics buildings, both as an architect and as a user. He understands how to strike a balance between pragmatism and personality when he designs this typology, collaborating closely with the client and community to reveal how the facility can serve all desired functions while also becoming a distinguishing feature of its place. Tim is currently working on the Toledo Pool and Recreation Center, expanding and updating the existing facility for the Toledo community, and the Osborn Aquatic Center Facilities Assessment.
Yen-Ting Lin’s passion for recreation and aquatics design stems from her love of creating places that serve a wide variety of people and contribute to community building. Her work is context-driven, ensuring that people, history, and the surrounding neighborhood are reflected in the architecture. Yen-Ting is detail-oriented, observant, and enjoys using design to incorporate a range of perspectives so that everyone feels welcome. She is currently working on the North Portland Aquatic Center and the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center.
