Salem architect launches Rotharc for community-first housing projects

Licensed architect Daniel Roth has launched Rotharc in Salem to focus on multifamily housing, middle housing and community projects across the Willamette Valley. The firm opens with an early-stage nonprofit housing effort that could add three to five homes on a Salem-area property.

Why it matters: - Rotharc is entering the Willamette Valley housing market as Oregon’s density and zoning changes create new opportunities for middle housing and infill. - The firm is targeting projects that can add homes, reuse underused land and support local nonprofits, property owners and community groups. - The launch comes as many property owners need early feasibility help before committing to design, financing or construction.

What happened: - Licensed architect Daniel Roth, AIA, launched Rotharc, a new Salem firm focused on multifamily housing, residential design, middle housing and community and civic structures. - Rotharc began work with a local nonprofit on a Salem-area residential property in a multifamily zone. - The project is evaluating whether the site could support about three to five additional units. - The final number and layout of homes have not been determined. - Roth said the nonprofit project reflects the kind of community-based work he wanted the firm to pursue.

The details: - Rotharc provides architectural services for apartment buildings, small and midsize multifamily developments, residential infill and middle housing. - The middle housing categories include duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes and cottage clusters. - The firm also works on custom homes, additions and substantial renovations. - Rotharc serves nonprofit facilities, community spaces, educational environments, faith-based buildings and selected civic projects. - The firm works with private property owners, local developers, nonprofit organizations and families. - Rotharc is not limited to nonprofit or income-restricted housing and also takes on market-rate housing and private redevelopment work. - Rotharc offers site feasibility, zoning analysis, land-use review, preliminary planning and code studies. - The firm helps clients assess zoning, site conditions, access, utilities, building codes and permitting requirements before they commit to a full design. - Rotharc operates as a principal-led studio, with Roth staying involved from early planning through design, permitting and construction. - Roth said early planning gives property owners clearer information before they make major decisions about design, financing and construction.

Between the lines: - Rotharc is positioning itself as a smaller, locally rooted practice instead of a high-volume regional shop. - The firm’s mix of nonprofit, market-rate and private-client work suggests a flexible business model built around housing supply, not one funding source. - Roth’s background in multifamily, senior housing and civic projects gives the new firm technical credibility in the segment it wants to serve. - Roth said there is room for nonprofit housing, privately financed housing and locally driven development when projects are matched carefully to the site and users.

What's next: - Rotharc is accepting inquiries from property owners, developers, nonprofit organizations and community groups. - The firm will continue focusing on Salem and the greater Willamette Valley, with selected projects elsewhere in Oregon when the client and scope are a strong fit. - The early nonprofit project will move through additional planning before the number and configuration of homes are set. - Rotharc plans to keep adding projects where Roth can provide direct value and stay closely involved.

The bottom line: - Rotharc is betting that careful, community-centered planning can unlock more housing on small sites while serving local nonprofits and private owners alike.