Professional PIN-Up, February 15, 2012 (my photos)
For its February chapter meeting, AIA-Southwestern Oregon
partnered with Design|Spring (the emerging professionals group, now a committee
under the wing of AIA-SWO) and the University of Oregon chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) to produce the Professional PIN-Up. The
event took place at Lawrence Hall on the University of Oregon campus and drew a
rapt (and hungry) audience of students from the School of Architecture andAllied Arts.
PIN-Up featured eight AIA-SWO member firms. Each firm showcased one of its
current projects by discussing the design concept, design process, and dynamics
of getting the job done. The latter aspect of the presentations was of
particular interest to the students as it provided a glimpse into how “book
learning” translates to the realities of professional practice. Extending the
school-to-profession theme, each team elaborated upon the contribution of a
young emerging professional to the execution of the featured project.
The following firms participated (their respective
projects are listed in parentheses):
- 2fORM Architecture (Champ-A-Tee Residence)
- Bergsund Delaney Architecture and Planning (Stellar Apartments)
- Chuck Bailey Architect AIA (Pak Tech facility)
- PIVOT Architecture (PIVOT office)
- Dustrud Architecture (16th & Pearl Apartments)
- Robertson|Sherwood|Architects (VA Roseburg Community Living Center Expansion)
- TBG Architects & Planners (Allen Hall Remodel & Addition)
- Willard C. Dixon Architect (Gena Residence)
Jenni Rogers of Robertson/Sherwood/Architects presenting the VA Roseburg CLC Expansion project
In past years, AIA-SWO produced similar student/professional
project review sessions; however, these “reverse critiques” tended to be poorly
attended by students or failed to generate substantive discussions. The organizers
of this year’s Professional PIN-Up
attribute its success in part to re-branding of the meeting. The previous notion
of a reverse crit (that is, student reviews of the professionals’ real-life
projects) imposed what many students misguidedly believe was an unrealistic expectation
upon them. Who were they to question the judgment of experienced professionals?
Because this event was characterized merely as a “pin-up” by local firms, the
students appeared much more comfortable, regarding it a learning opportunity
rather than a gauntlet thrown down before them by the professional community.
All in all, the Professional PIN-Up was a hit: 206
Lawrence was packed and the energy was palpable. AIA-SWO will no doubt look to
repeat its success in the future.
The evening benefitted from the contributions of two generous
sponsors:
The Power to Pass, an online company providing exam
review materials for engineers and building professionals. http://ppi2pass.com/
Track Town Pizza, my favorite pizzeria, provided sustenance for the starving students and
professionals alike who participated in the Professional PIN-UP. http://www.tracktownoncampus.com/
2 comments:
This was a great event. It's fascinating to see the range of challenges such a varied array of projects have, as well as the differing processes used by the firms represented. It's helpful to see projects in a larger context, rather than say, just a floor plan version. I only wish there had been enough time to thoroughly review each project. I hope this event is repeated next year.
As always thanks for blogging it Randy!
Thanks Heidi! I agree, it was a great event and will hopefully occur frequently again in the future.
Post a Comment