What we need tomorrow, we plant today.
From his great-grandfather building with fir, to his own experience planting over 50,000 trees on his family's Christmas tree farm near Portland's Skyline Boulevard, Curtis Rystadt's roots in Oregon run deep. This hands-on connection to Oregon's timber industry shaped his understanding of wood as a renewable resource and its role in sustainable construction.
After attending Lincoln High School and Portland State University, Curtis witnessed Portland's transformation through his wife's eyes - from a "storybook city" of trees and clean streets to one facing urban challenges. Rather than simply criticize, he chose action, applying his knowledge of timber and construction to reimagine affordable housing.
His innovative approach uses mass timber construction, which sequesters carbon and grows back in just seven seconds across North America's forests. This connection between his Christmas tree farming background and current development work reflects his core philosophy: building for long-term environmental and community benefit rather than short-term profit. As he puts it, "We make tomorrow today," viewing each building as a tree planted for future generations - one that will provide lasting shelter while honoring Oregon's timber heritage and environmental future.
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Dollars Saved Over 30 Years
Equivalent carbon benefit of a single 8-story mass timber housing project, demonstrates how building material choices can create measurable climate impact.
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Build up, give back, get going.
Help us transform affordable housing into an engine for a thriving environment, community, and commerce.
