Professional Pin-Up

Carl Sherwood, AIA (light green shirt) presents the UO Student Recreation Center Expansion Project (all photos by Jenni Rogers, Assoc. AIA unless otherwise noted)

 

A regular fixture on the annual AIA-SWO calendar has been the “reverse crit,” an opportunity for University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts students to review the work of local professionals. The latest edition of this enjoyable event occurred last Wednesday. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend but by all accounts it was a success. With delectable and free pizza available (courtesy of Track Town Pizza, my favorite pizza joint!), plenty of students seized the opportunity to discuss real-life projects with the architects responsible for their design. 

 

The firms who participated this year and the projects they presented were: 

• envelōp design | architecture + interiors and LandCurrent – Cat’s Ear Savannah
• Greenleaf Design|Build / Robert Oshatz – Peterson Residence
• PIVOT Architecture – Eugene YMCA
• Robertson/Sherwood/Architects – University of Oregon Student Recreation Center Expansion
• Rowell Brokaw Architects – Arts and Technology Academy Middle School

Mark Young, AIA describes Rowell Brokaw Architects' work in progress on the ATA Middle School.

Anita Van Esperdt (left) and Jenna Fribley, AIA point out the features of their Cat's Ear Savannah project.

 

Tricia Berg, AIA and Paul Harman, AIA explain PIVOT Architecture's initial concepts for the new Eugene YMCA.

 

The event was co-hosted by the University of Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students. New this year was the opportunity for the students to vote for what they believed to be the most deserving projects in several categories. The award winners were: 

• Most Sustainable: University of Oregon Student Recreation Center Expansion 
• Best Response to Context: Cat’s Ear Savannah 
• Most Creative Use of Materials: Peterson Residence 
• Most Intriguing Presentation: University of Oregon Student Recreation Center Expansion 
• Best Overall Design: University of Oregon Student Recreation Center Expansion

The AIAS presented awards in five different categories (photo by AIAS University of Oregon)

 

The Professional Pin-Up is an excellent example of the synergy between local professionals and the School of Architecture and Allied Arts. Both benefit by the opportunity to interact in creative and educational ways. Although I missed this year’s event, I look forward to attending again in the future, helping to continue what has become a welcome tradition.