Octagon Progress

 

The Octagon, July 2014

For a variety of reasons, I haven’t been able to blog as much as I’d like to lately.(1) Happily, I can repost an Octagon progress update first published this past week as part of AIA-Southwestern Oregon’s Thursdays at Three weekly newsletter. As I reported earlier, work on Eugene’s own “center for architecture” is progressing and coming along quite nicely.

Immediate AIA-SWO past-president Will Dixon, AIA provided the TH@3 report. Will has been the project’s chief advocate and driving force from its beginning. Thanks to his efforts and that of the many who have contributed their time and materials, the Octagon is certain to become a versatile and attractive headquarters for both AIA-SWO and Architects Building Community.

Here’s Will’s update:

July 10^th Octagon Update

by Will Dixon, AIA

• Neal and Justin from Neon Latitudes have completed their artistic lighting installation on the ceiling of the exterior plaza around the Octagon, and are now focusing on the interior. It’s looking great! We’ve received a lot of accolades and positive feedback thus far, and we can’t say enough about how much our chapter appreciates the work these guys have done (and are doing) for our new Center for Architecture. Stop by and take a look if you haven’t seen it yet.
• Kyla and Wayne from Lynn’s Electric continue to be extremely generous with their donations of time and materials, and it has not been an easy job for them getting all of our changing “needs and wants” coordinated and installed. We greatly appreciate their expertise, patience, and positive attitude! 
• Extra track and lighting fixtures for illuminating window displays have been donated by Zach Suchara and Luma Lighting Design in Portland, and graciously picked-up and delivered to my office by some good Portlandia friends of mine who happened to be coming down to visit (thank you Sarah and Al!). These new parts and pieces now need to be coordinated with Bob from Gary Pierce Painting to be painted dark bronze to match the color of the storefront window frames.
• Some of the beautiful ceiling panels (graciously donated by 9Wood!) needed to be modified slightly, so there’s been some shifting around up there of the panels, along with a multitude of necessary minor tweakings of adjacent parts & pieces—the ceiling grid itself (thank you May or May Not Construction!); the Big Ass Fan (thank you BAF!); the heating ductwork (thank you Harvey & Price!); all for better alignment and centering.
• We’ve also prepped the space for future installation of an overhead projector, drop-down screen, and speakers. Note: we are currently seeking donations and/or help with these items, so if you have any leads please let me know. This A/V equipment of course will be used for future Luncheon-Learns, seminars and other professional presentations, movie nights, and more!
• Carl Oslund and Anna Collins of Oslund Design have put together a comprehensive set of design concepts for all of the various signage and environmental graphics for the Octagon, and it’s starting to take shape and look really cool. Their time, effort, know-how, and support have been tremendous with branding our new CFA—let alone they’re a lot of fun to work with as well!

(1) The reasons I haven't spent as much time blogging as I normally do include office and extracurricular commitments; however, the primary reason is the discomfort I’ve been experiencing in my neck and across my shoulders, and also down my right arm and hand. I’ve suspected it is the result of ergonomic issues (which I’m trying to correct) and the large amount of computer work I do every day. My blogging will be light for a while until the symptoms subside.       

2014 CSI-Willamette Valley Chapter Awards Banquet

2013-2014 WVC-CSI president Tana Baker (2nd from left) with award recipients Alorie Mayer, Steven Leuck, Marina Wrensch, Trixie Deines, and Brian Hamilton.

Every June, the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute marks the end of its annual calendar with a celebration to recognize those who contributed to the group’s success in the preceding year. Feeling especially munificent, 2013-2014 Chapter President Tana Baker, CSI, bestowed a record number of honors at this year's awards banquet, which took place on June 26. The common thread tying all the awards together was the recipients’ unstinting efforts to champion the message regarding the benefits CSI has to offer everyone in the construction industry.

Here’s the list of this year’s awards, conferred by Tana with her characteristic good humor and bubbly enthusiasm:

Special Awards:

Steven Leuck – President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your consistent, high quality commitment, of service as President Elect the past year from places afar, I present the Travel Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Randy Nishimura - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your passionate enthusiasm for CSI, your positive thinking and master skill in making a difference (one twitter at a time) for the good of the chapter, I present the Tweet Award on the 26th day of June,

2014.

Tom Deines - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your “I’m just saying” passion for excellence, “My Two Cents Worth” knowledgeable input, “I’m Weighing In Very Late” approach, and “My 25 Cents Worth” from the “Old Gray Haired One,” I present the I’m Not The Government But Here To Help Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Alorie Mayer - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your passionate enthusiasm for CSI, your boundless energy to promote the Chapter to everyone you see, I present the Ambassador Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Loren Berry - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

 For your “Cool Hand Luke” approach to CSI, your positive thinking, sharing and mastering the best angle to make things better for the good of the chapter, I present the Best Shot Award (Photography) on the 26th day of June, 2014.

David Jones - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your consistent, quality of work producing the Documentor, I present the Behind - The - Scenes Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Larry Banks - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your consistent, quality and dependable work with the website, I present the SEO Award (Search Engine Optimization) on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Zach Rix - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

 For your commitment to pick up the ball and run with the responsibility of Program Chair, I present the Outfielder Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Marina Wrensch - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your important contributions as the Membership Committee Chair, thoughtful outreach to Emerging Professionals this past year and organizational skills for outside activities with other organizations, I present the Outreach Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Trixie Deines - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For your outstanding diligence, patience and service as our “No, you can’t do that” Chief Financial Officer of the chapter, I present the Babysitter Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Allen Wright - President’s Certificate of Merit and Appreciation –

For the wisdom, dedication and personal contributions for the 3C Conference, I present the President Service Award on the 26th day of June, 2014.

Paul Edlund – Chapter Service Award -

For your commitment of attending Willamette Valley’s Awards Banquet for “49 Years” (not missing a single one) and teaching the CDT/CCS Certification Class for “44 Years”, I present the Honorable President Service Award on this 26th day of June, 2014.

Chapter Service Awards:

Brian Hamilton

For your advice, wisdom and service as Past President, I present the Certificate of Appreciation

Linn West

For your commitment to the mission of CSI and service as Certification Committee Co-Chair, I present the Certificate of Appreciation

Marina Wrensch

In appreciation for your passionate and devoted service as this year’s Secretary and dedication to the CSI mission – I present the Certificate of Appreciation

Trixie Deines

 In appreciation for your dedication to the CSI mission and service as this year’s Treasurer, I present the Certificate of Appreciation

Zach Rix

For your willingness to join the team, your excellent efforts organizing events and highly successful monthly presentations, I present the President Service Award

Alorie Mayer

In appreciation for your willingness to tackle diverse responsibilities, fill in where needed, negotiate for the best interest of the Chapter and commitment to service as Director, and House Committee Chair, I present the President Service Award

Steven Leuck

For your consistent, service as President Elect the past year, I present the Certificate of Appreciation

Additionally, Tana presented some “unique” awards to many of these same individuals. These included bags of peanuts to members of the “peanut gallery,” people like myself who were not formal members of the 2013-2014 chapter board or chaired a chapter committee but weren’t shy about offering advice or opinions on chapter matters. They also included cans of Mountain Dew to those who exemplified the “can do” attitude that was a theme of Tana’s tenure.

I received a President's Certificate of Merit and Appreciation. Thanks Tana!

The backdrop for the awards banquet was the Center for Meeting & Learning at Lane Community College’s Downtown Campus (DTC). As one of the many team members responsible for the design and construction of the DTC, I helped conduct an educational tour of the LEED Platinum facility following Tana’s presentation of the chapter awards. I was ably assisted by Mike Sager and Riley Allen of Lease Crutcher Lewis, the construction manager/general contractor for the $42 million project.   

Speaking of Lease Crutcher Lewis, the company generously supported the awards banquet as a Gold-level sponsor. Additional sponsors included DCI Consulting Engineers, Twin Rivers Plumbing, Contractors Electric, and Capital Engineering & Consulting. 

Tana’s successful reign as chapter president is now in the books. As I commented at the banquet, Steven Leuck, CSI, CDT has big shoes to fill but I know he’ll do a great job as Tana’s successor. A year from now, I’ll undoubtedly be reporting about how Steven was happy to likewise share his appreciation for the help he received during his time at the helm of our chapter.