Throughout 2026, BBT Architects is proud to celebrate 50 years of practice rooted in service to communities across Oregon. This anniversary year offers an opportunity to reflect on the people, partnerships, and projects that have shaped our firm, and to look ahead to the conversations and collaborations still to come.

A Continuing Story of Leadership and Impact

Every firm reaches a point at which honoring its history also means preparing for its future.

For BBT, that transition unfolded over several years. Al Levage returned to the firm in 2010, Renée Alexander joined the ownership group in 2012, and for the next five years they worked alongside longtime partner Todd Turner. When Todd retired in 2017, Al and Renée inherited a respected practice and a clear opportunity: preserve the values that had defined BBT’s first four decades while helping shape what the next generation of the firm would become.

While the partners whose initials form the firm’s name established BBT’s foundation, Al helped build the bridge to the modern firm.

More Than an Architect

Al never fit the mold of a traditional architect. Over the course of his career, he worked as an architect, estimator, developer, educator, and business owner. Having experienced projects from every side of the table, he brought a practical perspective that influenced not only the buildings BBT designed, but also the way the firm approached its work and relationships.

Al first joined BBT in 1991 after selling his own architectural practice. Following several years with Touchmark, he returned in 2010 as an Associate and later became a partner, bringing with him decades of technical expertise, construction knowledge, and a passion for mentoring others.

Building the Modern BBT

When Todd retired in 2017, Al and Renée found themselves leading BBT into a new chapter. The firm had earned a strong reputation, built lasting client relationships, and assembled a talented team. Their challenge wasn’t to reinvent BBT, it was to build on that foundation while creating a culture that would attract great people, support meaningful careers, and position the firm for long-term success.

Even before Todd’s retirement, the leadership team recognized that BBT had reached a pivotal moment in its history and undertook a comprehensive rebranding effort to clarify the firm’s identity and values. “As the next generation of leadership,” Renée reflected, “it was our responsibility to embody our values and ensure that both our team and the broader community understood and embraced this new chapter of BBT.”

Much of what clients and employees recognize as today’s BBT took shape during those years. Al championed improvements that strengthened both the firm’s culture and its technical practice. He placed renewed emphasis on Contract Administration, helping younger architects understand that great design doesn’t end when construction begins. He also advocated for BBT’s now well-known 36-hour workweek—an idea Renée initially questioned but now describes as “one of the best cultural changes we made for BBT and our staff.”

Teaching by Example

Teaching was one of Al’s defining qualities. Whether explaining the importance of a well-written specification, coaching a young architect through construction administration, or sharing lessons drawn from decades of experience, he believed knowledge was meant to be shared. His mentorship wasn’t loud or flashy. It was steady, practical, and deeply rooted in helping others succeed.

Renée remembers that people could sometimes misinterpret Al’s direct manner. “His tough exterior was often misunderstood,” she recalled. “Once people got to know him, they discovered a gentle soul with a heart of gold.”

That combination of high expectations and genuine care left a lasting impression not only within BBT, but across the industry. Scott Rogers, Project Executive with Wenaha Group and a longtime collaborator, remembers early morning calls that always began the same way: “MISTER ROGERS… how is your neighborhood this morning?” Behind the playful greeting was someone deeply committed to his craft and to the people around him. “Al was demanding,” Scott said, “but his passion was contagious and he truly desired to bring the best out of people. He is still the standard by which I measure architects.”

The Legacy That Continues

When asked what part of today’s BBT feels most connected to Al’s influence, Renée’s answer was immediate. “Our excellent service and quality documents. Just as importantly, our culture.”

Those two ideas capture Al’s legacy well.

Buildings become part of the landscape, but the culture of a firm continues to shape every project, every client relationship, and every generation of architects who follow. Al understood that great firms are built not only through thoughtful design, but through mentorship, trust, and a commitment to helping others succeed.

Perhaps that’s why, reflecting on his career, Al didn’t point to a favorite project or professional accomplishment. Instead, he said simply: “I love the culture that all of you have created.”

As BBT celebrates its 50th anniversary, that culture remains one of the firm’s greatest strengths—and one of Al Levage’s most enduring contributions.