Resilience Planning
Jay Raskin is a leader resilience planning. His experience was gained as an architect and in his community engagement in emergency and pre-disaster mitigation planning. He was instrumental in the creation of Oregon Resilience Plan, a 50 year plan for Oregon to prepare for a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami, and continues to work on its implementation. He is able to help communities, institutions, and businesses develop resilience strategies and bring in knowledgable collaborators from other design professions depending on the need.
Given what is known about the likelihood of a significant earthquake and tsunami impacting the Pacific Northwest, it makes sense to evaluate the proper response when creating new buildings as well as when restoring or renovating existing ones. Rather than look exclusively at code standards, it is better to evaluate how a building will fare in the event of the earthquake and how usable it will be afterward. In addition to considering these issues as they relate to buildings, Jay has cultivated an understanding of how resilience applies to communities as well. He has worked with Cannon Beach, Oregon, on studies of resiliency, tsunami evacuation, and post-disaster recovery and mitigation.
Resilience is an essential part of sustainability and many of the sustainability strategies take on added importance when viewed through the lens of resilience. Energy efficiency, reducing water usage, on-site energy production, natural lighting and ventilation, and the concepts of net-zero energy, net-zero water, and eco-districts can be included in resilience strategies.
Jay is also a partner in Salus Resilience, a team of resilience-minded firms that have come together to provide resilience assessment, planning and design services.
Seismic Upgrades
An essential of making an existing building resilient is improving the seismic performance of the building or home. This typically means tying buildings to foundations, tying roofs and floors to walls and increasing the strength of the walls. This is often a good time to review the thermal capacity of these exterior envelope, and make any changes to spaces that are needed or desired. While even small seismic upgrades are worthwhile, it is also a time to review the expectations of usability following an earthquake. In some circumstances, the next level of seismic performance has a small increase in cost.
Architecture
Jay works closely with the clients to buildings that meet their needs and fulfills their aspirations. He designs with an eye to the immediate surroundings, making sure the designs fit their environment, take advantage of natural light, and provide an appropriate connection to the outdoors. Most of all, he designs to create a sense of delight and place. He has most recently done residential (new and remodel), small commercial, and historic preservation projects.
His practice was on the Oregon coast for many years and understands coastal conditions and how it effects the design and construction in what can be very demanding conditions.
Historic Preservation
Jay Raskin has completed preservation and restoration projects for commercial buildings in both Astoria and Portland, Oregon. These buildings are on the National Historic Register — listed either individually or as contributing structures within a historic district.
Preservation and restoration projects require a thorough command of standards set by the Secretary of the Interior, as well those defined by modern building codes applicable in each jurisdiction. Jay restores historic structures by designing solutions that meet modern needs while guarding the character and integrity of the building. He is experienced in working through the review and approval process of local historic landmarks commissions, and has the knowledge necessary to maximize state and federal tax credit opportunities.
Jay also played a significant role in creating the historic preservation program at Clatsop Community College. He served as the first chair of the advisory committee to the program, and taught hand drafting in the program.