​​Building Lan Su: A Presentation by the Portland Architectural Team
Linda Barnes, FAIA
Nancy Merryman, FAIA
9 January, 2027
9:30 - 11:00am
Join First Saturday PDX as Nancy Merryman and Linda Barnes, retired architects from Merryman Barnes Architects, will talk about the construction aspects of  Portland’s classical Chinese garden Lan Su from their viewpoint as the U.S architectural team for the project. The team will discuss the history of their involvement and issues adapting traditional Ming dynasty details to accommodate modern requirements.
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About the speakers:
Nancy Merryman graduated from the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture & Allied Arts in 1980 and began her career at Bora Architects as the second woman architect hired at the firm. During her tenure at Bora, she contributed significantly to the design of the Newmark Theater at the Portland Performing Arts Center and worked on various academic and performing arts projects. In 1992, she co-founded her own firm with Linda Barnes and Candace Robertson, Merryman Barnes Architects, where she spent 28 years leading major works such as the Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Oregon Garden masterplan, and numerous affordable housing and residential projects. Beyond her design work, Nancy’s professional service included eight years on the Portland Design Commission and leadership roles with the AIA and the Architectural Foundation of Oregon; her contributions were formally recognized in 2006 when she was elevated to a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
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Linda Barnes, FAIA emeritus, graduated from Arizona State University in 1970 as the second woman to complete their architectural program before moving to Oregon in 1976. In 1992, she co-founded one of the region’s largest all-women firms, Merryman Barnes Architects, which completed a diverse 34-year portfolio including the Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Lafayette Pedestrian Bridge, and numerous affordable housing projects. A licensed architect in Arizona and Oregon, Linda's extensive professional service included roles with the City of Portland’s Building Code Board of Appeals and the Architecture Foundation of Oregon. Following her elevation as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2000, she now spends her retirement serving on the Board of Solar Oregon and enjoying her net-zero home.

Check-in begins promptly at 9:15am

​**This is an on-site presentation. 
Reed College, Psychology Building, R105Auditorium 
3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
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The large East Parking Lot (free) is conveniently located adjacent to the Psychology Building.  See campus map here

Public transportation is available, plan your TriMet trip HERE.  (The #19 bus stops right on SE Woodstock East Parking entrance to the campus)

​We recommend that attendees be vaccinated and boosted, and follow CDC guidelines regarding masking.
For those interested in continuing the conversation, there will be a no host lunch family style with the speakers at a Chinese restaurant close by, afterwards.   Please let us know if you are joining when you register for the program so that we can make the proper arrangements. For ease of payment for this lunch, please ​bring cash.
Our program series is supported by Reed College, Northwest China Council, Lan Su Chinese Garden, PSU's IAS, and Portland Chinatown Museum.   ​
​All our programs are free and open to the public.   ​