Principal Architect

Risa Boyer is the founding principal of Risa Boyer Architecture, a Portland-based architecture studio known for its thoughtful, modern residential design. With over two decades of experience, Risa brings a deep sensitivity to place, materiality, and the rhythms of everyday life. Her work blends sustainability with simplicity—balancing warmth, restraint, and functionality in spaces that are meant to be lived in, not just looked at.

Originally from Calistoga, California, Risa studied architecture at the California College of the Arts. She launched her career in 1998 and established her own practice in 2006, first in Los Angeles and later in Portland. Since then, her studio has grown into a collaborative team of architects and designers focused on designing homes that reflect the unique character of the Pacific Northwest and the people who live there.

Risa’s interest in architecture began with childhood afternoons building Barbie dream houses—an early exercise in creative problem-solving. Today, that same curiosity and care drives her design process, ensuring that each home tells a story, serves its inhabitants, and stands the test of time.

Risa’s passion for mid-century design and architecture has influenced her work. From renovations to new modern homes, her interest in development led to collaborating with her spouse to design and develop the Maker’s Row mixed use building. Across all projects, the studio is guided by a core philosophy: timeless design rooted in sustainability, clarity, and connection to place.