Jay Raskin established his firm in 1993 to provide the north Oregon coast with high level architectural services. A native Oregonian, Jay received his architectural degree from the University of Oregon. He then moved to France where he worked in French architectural offices and gained experience on commercial, institutional, and urban design projects. He also was the principal designer for architectural competitions that were either selected or mentioned, such as the French Television Studios, the Orleans Train Station District, and the Futuroscope. The latter is a recreational park which had a cultural and visual impact in Europe when it opened to the public. Returning to the United-States, he worked in the Bay Area with several award winning architectural practices, as a designer and project manager. During this time he worked on projects such as the UCSC Science Library, the San Francisco Courts and Jail Expansion Feasibility Study.With his European experience he worked as a project manager for a US architectural firm which had projects in Europe. These projects include the European headquarters and manufacturing facility for Silicon Graphics Manufacturing SA in Switzerland, and an office building for Valeo Climate Control in Wales.

The desire to open his own office brought Jay back to Oregon, and in particular to the Oregon coast. Jay had worked as a surf lifeguard while going through college in the late 70s and loved both the natural beauty and the architecture of the area.

Since he has opened his practice in Cannon Beach in 1993, Jay has worked on a series of residencial, commercial, and public projects.

The public projects have included the addition to the Cannon Beach Library, and the Cannon Beach Bandstand. He also has worked on the remodel of the Clatsop County District Courtroom, and the Downtown Revitalization Plan for the City of Warrenton. Commercial projects have included the Ecola Seafood Restaurant, the remodel of Cavenham Forest Industries office, and the Pacific View Lodge.