Bend firm will design Ranger District compound

After a competitive public solicitation process, Steele Associates Architects of Bend has been selected to design the new Sisters Ranger District Compound in Sisters. The new facility will be located at the current Sisters Ranger District site.

Phase 1 will include design and construction of a 12,000- to-14,000-square-foot district office, and Phase 2 will include the design and construction of a 4,980-square-foot district storage facility that includes eight individual storage units, four individual heated ADA restrooms/shower rooms, and a heated combined workshop.

The project will be designed to meet Green Globe 2 sustainability requirements.

“The Steele Team couldn’t be more pleased to have won this project,” said Steele founder Scott Steele.

The architect noted that the project has particular resonance for the team involved.

“We understand how important the new facilities are to the USFS, the City of Sisters, and the region, and we intend to work very hard to make it a great process and project for all,” Steele said. “It’s a special project for us because both Michael Sawiel (Steele designer) and I were born and raised in Sisters. Though my family moved to Bend was I was 6, Michael’s stayed and he graduated from Sisters High School. In addition, Steele Project Manager Adam Stephen and I have worked on prior USFS projects and really enjoy working with them, and we can’t wait to begin work on this exciting facility.”

Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid said, “The Forest Service would like to congratulate Steele Associates Architects on their selection to design the new Sisters Ranger District administrative site. Steele Associates has strong ties to Sisters, as well as previous experience designing Forest Service buildings in Central Oregon. We’re really excited to work with Steele Associates and the City of Sisters to design a new ranger station that will support the community for generations to come.”

Steele Associates also designed Sisters High School.