A talented but jaded architect, Nicholas Black, struggles to design a new art gallery in Portland's Pearl District. As he strives to regain confidence in his abilities, a woman from his past returns, reminding him of his passions but also of his disappointments. Through a series of memories, Nicholas recalls an ill-fated design competition in Rome, where more was at stake than pride - and where his own patterns and evolution began to reflect those of the city he studied. Given a new opportunity in Portland, he is offered a chance at redemption, and the hope that he is not destined to repeat...