workforce development program
Designing to Scale
Empowering individuals for career success in the architecture industry
Upcoming Session:
June 22 - August 14, 2026
Format: Hybrid (in-person + virtual)
Location: MODS PDX
Schedule: Two weekly meetings
(design reviews, presentations, critiques)
Time Commitment: 24–32 hrs / week
About the Program
Gain real-world architectural design experience
In collaboration with MODS PDX and Base Design & Architecture, Designing to Scale is an immersive 8-week Architecture Internship focused on the design of volumetric modular housing—with a mission to address “The Missing Middle” in residential development.
What You’ll Work On:
Develop schematic designs for prefabricated residential structures
Explore structural systems and key MEP+F integration in modular housing
Contribute to housing solutions aimed at addressing “The Missing Middle”
Transition designs from SketchUp into Revit or Vectorworks for construction documentation
Collaborate directly with subcontractors and suppliers
Important Dates
Application Deadline: May 25, 2026
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14, 2026
Program MissionDevelop the next generation of passionate architects to design the future of residential housing through modular construction and practical building solutions
the program
What to Expect
design that Scales
You’ll gain a deeper understanding of designing for constructibility and efficiency
and modular construction methods and workflows
Real-World Experience
You’ll work on on a live development project in a studio-style environment with regular submissions, progress check-ins, design reviews, presentations, and critiques.Industry Networking
Participants will be given the opportunity to grow their personal network within the industry, with potential to lead to job opportunities.Industry Expertise
You’ll be in direct collaboration with professional architects, builders, and industry professionals
Apply to the Program
Application Deadline: May 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM
This program is ideal for:
Students or recent graduates in Architecture or related field
Those with interest in residential design, modular construction, and practical building solutions
Those comfortable working in a collaborative, fast-paced studio environment
Experience with SketchUp required; familiarity with Revit or Vectorworks preferred
Designing to Scale is led by the Base Design + Architecture / MODS PDX team, the only residential construction team in Oregon currently delivering single-family homes built with mass-timber systems, a practice they have implemented for the past three years.
Designing to Scale Team
drew shreiner
Program LeadDrew started his career as a designer in New York City working on high end residential projects. An interest in the building process caused him to pursue projects through a design/build approach, providing a more integrated process to each project. After working on the East Coast, Drew pursued his Masters in Architecture from the University of Oregon which brought he and his family to Portland, Oregon.
He is Principal at Base Design + Architecture, a design studio whose work is centered on sustainability, context and design. Base focuses on residential and commercial projects with an emphasis on modular construction. Drew has pursued the design build model on many homes in the Portland area and takes pride in being able to take projects from the initial design stage through construction.
Kegan Flanderka
Program AssistantKegan is Principal at Base Design + Architecture, a design studio whose work is centered on sustainability, context and design. He is a registered Architect in Oregon and Washington with extensive experience in multiple typologies including multi-family, commercial, and adaptive reuse. He has worked on modular, multi-family projects from small 6-plexes to over 80 units at all levels of development. Kegan is an avid outdoorsman where the natural environment influences his design aesthetic. Clients appreciate Kegan’s strong communication skills and collaborative approach to design which has resulted in many successfully built projects.
Nathan D. Young
Program LeadNathan is a career builder with a degree in Environmental Economics and Political Science from Willamette University. He founded Nathan D. Young Construction, Inc. in 1998 and MODS PDX INC in 2008.
MODS is a Portland-based modular builder that crafts energy-efficient, beautiful buildings of the highest technical quality. Their start-to-finish custom approach has been proven to work across all sectors — custom single-family, multi-family, commercial, institutional, and transitional housing.
Passionate about building science and quality relationships, Nathan has contributed to the industry through leadership roles, including serving as Portland HBA president in 2020 and as a builder captain for the Homebuilders Foundation.
Pete Victoor
Program AssistantPete is an artisan in all things building! He as an innate ability to figure out complex situations, analyze difficult details, and establish the intent of a design. He has been in the trades for decades, working on every facet of the industry throughout his career. He is a great leader of our company and a fabulous teacher of our younger artisans moving up through the ranks. Pete is our “detail” guy, always looking 10 steps ahead to and thinking about how each element of the design or structure will effect the next. Nothing is left to chance with Pete at the helm!
Regan Schutz
Program DirectorRegan is the Executive Director of the Home Building Foundation, where she leads efforts to build and renovate shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness while supporting pathways into residential construction careers. She brings a strong background in leadership, volunteer coordination, and fundraising, along with a deep passion for community building.
Regan comes to the Home Building Foundation following a distinguished career leading nonprofit organizations through periods of growth and transformation. A Hillsboro native, she recently returned to the Portland area after more than a decade living and working across the country, including in New York, Tennessee, and California.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and completed both her master’s and doctorate degrees at The University of the South. She has received advanced certifications in project management and leadership from Cornell University.