Workshop: How To | Using Post-Occupancy Evaluation for Positive Change with Scott Edwards Architecture (PDX)

Join us for an interactive workshop focused on the power of Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POEs).

Nueva Esperanza. Image courtesy of Casey Braunger.

How do we know if a building is truly performing as intended? Design assumptions are tested the moment the doors open, but the real story of a project unfolds during its occupancy. Join Scott Edwards Architecture (SEA) and CoDesign Collaborative on Wednesday, May 13, for an interactive “how-to” workshop focused on the power of Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POEs).

A Post-Occupancy Evaluation is a systematic process used to assess a building after it has been occupied. By analyzing the bridge between design intent and actual use, we can identify critical opportunities to improve occupant satisfaction, building performance, and overall functionality. This workshop goes beyond the surface to explore how POEs serve as a catalyst for positive change. We will discuss how these evaluations provide:

• Quantitative Data: Tracking sustainability successes and energy goals based on actual performance rather than projections.

• Qualitative Feedback: Analyzing how inclusive and equitable a building is for the people who use it every day.

• Continuous Improvement: Validating design assumptions to help our clients, our communities, and our future projects.

Formatted as a hands-on working session, this program guides attendees through the framework of POE development. Participants will:

• Learn from Case Studies: SEA team members will share real-world examples of POE findings and how they informed subsequent design solutions.

• Plan a POE: In small breakout groups, attendees will apply lessons learned to a hypothetical project, determining the necessary background info (as-built drawings, utility bills), defining metrics, and drafting user survey questions.

• Engage in Critical Dialogue: We will tackle the “tough questions” of the industry, such as financing strategies for evaluations, navigating the risks of sharing negative results, and leveraging data to grow collectively as an industry.

Sharing and collaborating through these evaluations is vital to our growth as an industry. By taking the time to understand the actual performance and functionality of our work, we can ensure our designs have a far-reaching and positive impact. 

Alexa Cano
 Architect, LEED AP
Scott Edwards Architecture

Eugenia Fama-Higgins
NOMA, Senior Associate
Scott Edwards Architecture

Juliette Grummon-Beale
Architect, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Associate
Scott Edwards Architecture

Hayley Purdy
Principal, Architect, AIA
Scott Edwards Architecture

Alexa is an Architect with a well-rounded knowledge in her field. She was drawn to architecture through it’s varied paths including: art history, drawing, engineering, sustainability, construction, and the human psychology of a space. Alexa’s goal in every project is to find a strong design concept that becomes a returning touch point from early design and gets executed in construction. Alexa is passionate about sustainability and is a Zero Coalition member. She is consistently finding ways to incorporate sustainable materials, including Mass Timber. Mahonia Crossing, an affordable senior housing development in Salem, is the project she’s most proud of working on. Through the community center building of this project, Alexa has designed a building that strives to be an asset to the residents, offering services and a health space to gather. This building is set to achieve Net Zero and Earth Advantage Platinum.

Alexa cares deeply about making places that matter, and this drive has led her to focus her work on affordable housing. She brings to her teams a mission-driven perspective and experience incorporating sustainability in a way that aligns client and community goals while also considering environmental impact. Alexa is passionate about working on projects that prioritize people and rally teams behind causes that make society better.

Eugenia is a Designer with 15 years of experience, over 6 of those at SEA. She is a licensed architect in Argentina and is pursuing AIA accreditation. She is a passionate and innovative designer, always looking to engage with the community to empower the outcome of the overall design. She is one of the Multi-Family design leads at SEA, and specializes in affordable housing, senior living, and mixed-use projects.

Eugenia is conscious of how design can change and impact our environment, health, and our community. She believes that design is a daily challenge that must adapt to the evolving needs of society. Eugenia has over 10 years of experience in multi-family design, leads SEA’s multi-family think tank, and excels in balancing the principles of good design with the need for cost-effective solutions. She enjoys engaging with the community to develop responsive homes and likes the process of pulling the pieces together to make a place people love. Eugenia is passionate about this work because she has seen first-hand the profoundly positive impact it has on people’s lives, and this understanding drives her to always push a little harder to deliver a more apt solution.

Juliette Grummon-Beale joined Scott Edwards Architecture in and was named Sustainability Director in 2024. She has over 15 years of experience in architecture and has worked on a wide range of project types, including municipal buildings, libraries, community centers, and higher education facilities. Juliette was drawn to architecture for its balance of art, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship, and she most enjoys projects that positively impact communities. In her role, she provides sustainability-focused leadership and technical assistance to design teams, helping to identify objectives and develop solutions that align with project goals.

Juliette helps our teams lead sustainability workshops and educates clients on how to incorporate sustainable features at little or no additional cost. She also leads SEA’s internal Sustainability Committee and is currently working on rolling out our climate action plan, thus developing processes for SEA to meet our AIA 2030 commitments. Juliette’s passion for learning, holistic thinking, and detail-orientated nature lend themselves well to this type of work, as does her drive to strengthen the connection between people and place.

Hayley is a registered architect with 18 years of experience in a wide range of community-based projects, including work throughout the United States. Her community experience includes affordable and transitional housing, community healthcare, and libraries. She is a highly motivated and driven Architect with collaboration and detail-focused design ingrained in her approach. Hayley has focused her career on bringing comprehensive project administration to each project, engaging owners, clients and the community to create informed spaces that respond to the people they serve.

Hayley’s most recent projects in affordable housing and community-based healthcare have included significant community involvement and creating dignified community spaces, specific to the client’s cultural and neighborhood needs. Hayley’s work in housing and wellness pulls from the principles of trauma-informed design to make places that integrate with services. Hayley is also a member of the Washington County Housing Advisory Committee.