ArcFiles the profiles of the faces behind the places

From designers to project managers to the craftspeople who bring designs to life, everyone matters in the creation of exquisite remodels, renovations and restorations. In this issue of Iconic, we’re pleased to announce the ArciFiles, a new, regular feature. In this issue, we profile three amazing women who work with ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products, our sister company. In future issues, we’ll profile one member of our local design-build community. Portland has a rich diversity of architectural styles. In ArciFiles, we’ll acquaint you with the diverse people who help preserve, revive, and enhance this legacy.

PETER HERRING

STEPHYN MEINER

Company: ARCIFORM

Duration: 5 years

Role: Designer

A LIFE BY DESIGN

Stephyn had an extra reason to celebrate this last holiday season. With her promotion from Design Associate to Designer at the end of December, she achieved a childhood goal. “It’s like a dream come true,” says Stephyn. “I wanted to be an interior designer when I was a little girl. If I could talk to my kindergarten self, I’d say, “hey, you did it!” It was a lot of hard work getting here, and I’m so appreciative that I’m with ARCIFORM. Being in the design-build atmosphere, I’ve learned so much on the construction side of things, and then having fantastic mentors like Anne and Marty, who have helped elevate me and push me in a really positive way. It’s been a wonderful experience.”

For Stephyn, who clearly enjoys people as much as she loves design, her new duties are a delight. She meets with prospective clients and hears what they want firsthand – getting the project scope and offering some initial ideas, creating the beginnings of a trusting relationship.

“Whether it’s a WC remodel or a whole house remodel, it’s someone’s home – their personal space – and it’s their financial investment. There’s a lot on the line. So, I let them know, this is the ARCIFORM way of doing things: We have your back and we’re going to do what’s right for you and for your home. It’s a partnership all the way until the end of construction. It’s fun because at the same time we’re creating that relationship.”

Stephyn lives and breathes design, sometimes waking up at 2:00am with a solution for a design puzzle, which she sketches into an app. Are designers born or made? In Stephyn’s case, she was born a designer, studied, and worked hard. Congratulations achieving and living your dream, Stephyn!

Getting Started

Stephyn studied interior design at PCC. She was as passionate a student as she is a designer, spending 1012-hour days on campus, taking every course she could squeeze in. With the help of a teacher/mentor, she started a student NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) Chapter, organizing walkthroughs of local firms. One was ARCIFORM. When an opening came up, she applied.

Favorite Project(s)

“There are so many that I really enjoyed working on, and honestly, what I always come back to are the clients that I worked with. We sometimes end up creating such amazing relationships. We just click so well that it’s like…okay now we’re going to be lifelong friends.” She particularly loves one kitchen, created for a family she enjoyed working with. “Not only is it a beautiful, functional kitchen but it’s the perfect kitchen for these people. That’s what I really like about ARCIFORM. There’s no one ARCIFORM ‘style’”. If you look at our work, no two kitchens ever look the same. It’s a very personalized process.”

Proudest Accomplishment

Aside from her promotion, Stephyn’s proudest achievement is the last challenge she solved. “Anytime we get a new challenge it’s a puzzle at first. It’s challenging, and then all of a sudden – and it always happens at two in the morning – you wake up and have that Aha! moment. If we just shift this, it all works...”

Experience Working in the Local Design-build Field

Stephyn is looking forward to Portland design workshops and open houses coming back after Covid. “There are whole weeks of design workshops. Typically, showrooms will open up and have a cocktail hour where you get to go and learn about their products. It’s always fun to get out there and see what’s new.”

How do you see the future of remodeling & renovation business?

Stephyn sees a trend, starting in the pandemic, for people to create multi-layered flexible spaces in their homes, incorporating open, airy rooms and private areas needed for remote work or study, multi-purpose spaces that can be one thing in the morning, another in the evening. She’s also interested in seeing how the continuation of sustainable materials and options - such as replacing gas appliances with electric - will impact design.

Favorite Project(s)

The Grand Stark Hotel. Built in 1906, the building was originally a hotel, then Shleifer Furniture’s store. “They turned it back into a hotel, bar, and restaurant. That was my first big commercial project with ARCIFORM. It turned out so beautiful.”

Proudest Accomplishment(s)

Her current position. “I had no prior project management experience. I’m still learning a lot every day, but it’s rewarding knowing that I’m the youngest and the only female, and I’m up there with guys who are experienced in this position. We’re a really good team, the other project managers and me. But at the end of the day, we’re doing the same thing, and they each have 20 years behind them of either management or construction experience. I come from the design side of things, but I think that that’s why it works.”

Attraction To This Field

In addition to her love of design-build, Bri finds the restoration of older homes and buildings satisfying. “There’s just so much more involved and there are so many prettier details. ARCIFORM is more aligned with everything I was learning about in art history when I was in college.”

BRI JOHNSON

Company: ARCIFORM

Duration: 5 years

Role: Project Manager

Role at ARCIFORM

Bri bills herself as the “youngest, funniest project manager” at ARCIFORM. Once a design is approved, she gets a construction estimate, briefly turns into a salesperson and then, if the estimate is accepted, becomes the Contractor, working with her carpentry teams and subs. She also manages jobs from outside companies and works with Versatile Wood Products.

Getting Started

Bri’s love of design goes back to the days of MTV’s “Cribs” in the ‘90s. She loved the show, went to design school and got her Interior Design degree. She worked for architects, became a designer at another company, and ran her own design business before ARCIFORM asked her to join the team. “So I’ve been in a design role, now I’m in a management role. It’s been exciting because I’ve got the full circle.”

Experience Working In The Local Architectural Design & Construction Field

As the youngest Project Manager and the only woman, Bri feels that “everybody respects me and I haven’t had any ‘me too’ issues. I feel like I have a bunch of brothers and uncles. I feel like they would protect me to the end of the earth, so that helps a lot.”

The Future of Remodeling & Renovation Business

“I hope that more women get into it because it’s not that intimidating. I was a little nervous in the beginning, but I think they could use a bit more feminine energy out in the field. A woman’s brain might work a little bit differently, so you get a couple more solutions.” Bri laughs, “We’re coming to take over soon.”

JAZMYN BARROW

Company: Versatile Wood Products

Duration: 3 years

Role: Business Development Coordinator

Jazmyn focuses on sales, works with internal teams to get estimates, oversees product design, and she’s the communication liaison between production and clients, from start to finish.

Getting Started

“I’m a huge fan of remodeling shows like Chip and Joanna. But never in a million years did I think I was going to work somewhere that does those types of things!” Working as a Product Presentation Manager at Nike, Jazmyn wanted to do something that drew on her creativity. “This opportunity just landed, and I went for it.”

Favorite Project(s)

Jazmyn begins with, “Man, that’s hard,” then chooses two. Custom closet doors with multi-lights and an ornate, curvilinear transom installed in an 1886 Queen Anne Victorian home; and a wet bar for a basement remodel.

“The oak, the wallpaper, tile and hardware all tied together and just look so beautiful.” Jazmyn loves to work on things that are “a little different and quirky. I love when people come to us with ideas that are just out of the realm.”

Proudest Accomplishment(s)

Looking back at her first year at VWP, Jazmyn realizes, “I bring so much to the table now that I’m proud of. I love that this company has allowed me to learn. It’s like being at school, but I work here.”

What do you like about the industry?

The creative design elements and custom manufacturing drew her to VWP. She also likes working “closely with ARCIFORM because that really brings the creative element.”

What’s been the biggest surprise working for Versatile?

Jazmyn loves the “we can do anything” attitude at Versatile. That describes the company’s products and services, but also the culture. She explains, “Not only am I a woman, I’m a woman of color, working in an industry that’s white-male dominant. I don’t feel as if I’m not taken seriously, because I am. The company I work for and the people I work with –they make me feel confident and empowered.”

The Future of Remodeling & Renovation Business

I think it’s going to go crazy. People love expressing themselves through their homes. A lot of women I know who worked for bigger companies quit their jobs to be designers or work in the remodeling industry. It’s awesome and I love it. I think social media plays a big part in that and really pushes people to want more for themselves and see opportunities. I just think there’s room for more people, more opportunity. And so I see it’s gonna go wild.” •