Our Team

Striving for excellence

Our team is made up of passionate individuals who are dedicated to providing best service possible. We work together to ensure that every is completed to the highest standard, and take pride in our ability to deliver results that exceed our clients' expectations. With of experience and a commitment to excellence, we are confident that we can help you achieve your goals.

ABOUT US - O'BRIEN BUILD

Crafting Homes, Building Dreams in

Portland, Lake Oswego & Beyond

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ABOUT US - O'BRIEN BUILD

Our Expertise:

Beyond Just Design

Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, O'Brien Build has etched its legacy as a premier design firm, transforming spaces and crafting homes that resonate with the essence of their inhabitants. As a locally-owned and operated company, our roots run deep in Portland, Lake Oswego, and the surrounding regions, enabling us to capture the unique blend of urbanity and nature that this area is renowned for.

O'BRIEN BUILD

About The Owner:

Shahin Farokh

Designer/Owner

Shahin Farokh

Shahin grew up over seas and has a love for building. He studied civil engineering at a University abroad before coming to the United States. He was involved in various projects that honed his skills in planning and building. Upon coming to the United States, he attended Eastern Michigan University where he studied Business and Marketing. He has been hired by many construction companies to implement process and procedures for design and build. He still counsels a few small builders with their KPI and monthly review of project successes.

Shahin has been working in the construction industry for 18 years and is a specialist in various aspects of design and build. He uses his skills in budgeting and project managing to run a job to complete efficiency. He passionately loves working with clients! Listening to their dreams and vision of what they want to do and taking those dreams and turning them into reality. He has created strong relationships with clients, subs, and vendors to assure jobs go smoothly to completion.

In Shahin's spare time you will find him with his family. He is a father of two busy boys and says after 11 years of marriage, he realizes he married his best friend. He loves skiing, swimming and bicycling. He is a man of faith and is serious about living for God and leading his family in living right in this life for Jesus.

O'BRIEN BUILD

About The Owner:

MINDY O'BRIEN

At an early age I discovered I loved interior design! It was a true passion that I knew I wanted to spend my life working in. And really, doing something you love so much doesn't seem like a job! I feel so blessed to be a part of each and every project I get the opportunity to work on. I love getting to know my clients in such a personal way and becoming a part of such an important event in their life. Such wonderful and cherished friendships have been developed over my career by being able to work so closely with my clients. It's hard not to become friends during the process!

After high school I attended Heritage School of Interior Design in 2000 to just get my feet wet in the field. During this school program I began working at Parker Furniture and really enjoyed that side of design. I knew I ultimately wanted to be a part of major home remodels. Kitchens, bathrooms and any other spaces of a home. In 2001 I attended Marylhurst University where I got my Bachelors in Interior Design. I knew if I wanted to get into doing remodels and kitchen and bath design, I needed a place where I could practice my craft and hone my skills without a lot of major pressure. I decided taking a job at Home Depot as a kitchen and bath designer would be a good place to start. This was a wonderful place to gain lots of knowledge and literally get hundreds of projects under my belt. After feeling like I needed to spread my wings some more, I began working as an independent designer for different contractors and businesses who needed a designer. I designed for California Closets for a few years as well, honing my craft in all different closet types, pantries and all storage spaces within the home. When I got married and started my own family I realized that I no longer needed to work for others and it was time to have my own business. Which brings me to the present. Since 2017 I have been working for myself and loving every aspect of that. Having two boys and needing to juggle family life and work, this route has proven to give me all the flexibility needed to make it all happen. I am so happy to share a little bit about myself so that if given the opportunity to work together on a project of yours you will feel comfortable knowing a small bit of why I love doing this and what my history has been in the design field. Thank you and I look forward to getting to know you more too!

Mindy O’Brien

Interior Designer

CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer)

O'BRIEN BUILD

About Our Designer:

Kira Forbes

Kira was raised in Northern Colorado with her siblings. She went to the University of Colorado Boulder and obtained her degree in Environmental Design with an Emphasis in Environmental Products of Design. With determination and hard work, she finished college in three years hoping to take a year off to travel and do internships. However, the world had different plans with the pandemic. So, Kira and her sister decided to pick up their lives on a whim and move to Portland.

Since moving to Portland Kira has had a wide range of experiences from cafe and retail management to fabrication and woodworking. After taking some much-needed time away from design Kira realized that she was still drawn to and called to design. Now she is taking the next steps in her career, pivoting fully back into design. Eager for the new challenges and the opportunities that life presents.

When she is not working, Kira loves spending time with her sister and cats. She is always looking for new food places or cooking at home. Coming from Colorado, there is an inherent draw towards the outdoors. Kira appreciates time alone but will always make time for her friends and family.

Designer

O'BRIEN BUILD

About Our Designer:

Kenidi Vogelgessng

As the Principal Design Assistant at O'Brien Build, she leverages her architectural design expertise to lead our creative efforts. Passionate about creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, she champions the seamless integration of traditional and modern design elements. As a catalyst for continued positive growth within O'Brien Build, she envisions an empowered future for both our team and our clients. In every project and interaction, she commits to upholding the highest standards of excellence and fostering a culture of innovation.

Kenidi Vogelgessng

Principal Design Assistant

O'BRIEN BUILD

The O'Brien Distinction:

Customization at its Best

What truly sets O'Brien Build apart is our unrivaled ability to customize. We believe that every home has its unique story, and our job is to accentuate it. Our in-house customization capabilities, ranging from intricate cabinet work to specialized hardware, ensure that every corner of your space exudes originality and flair.

Further bolstering our promise of uniqueness, we've cultivated an expansive network of resources. Whether you're envisioning a specific light fixture, envisioning a particular tile design, or seeking that perfect kitchen appliance, O'Brien Build has the resources to turn your vision into tangible reality.