Happenings - PIVOT Architecture

News 11/22

2022 PIVOT Fellowship: The City Squiggle

For the 2022 Fellowship, we tried something different. Rather than bringing in an architecture or interior architecture student, 2022 PIVOT Fellow Matilda Jereza was entering her last year studying product design.

Matilda’s project was born out of a desire to explore whether amenities like the transit shelters PIVOT designs could be employed to improve the pedestrian experience outside of transit systems.

“Altogether it was an extremely enriching experience to see a project through of my own design, with the support and input of my peers,” she said.

Matilda took a tried-and-true systematic approach in tackling her project by identifying a need, exploring the opportunities and challenges, as well as researching the target market, competitors, and constraints to develop her project objectives.

The result is what she calls The City Squiggle, an easy-to-install, solar-powered shelter of precast concrete arches that can be placed together in any quantity to form a “squiggle.” The resulting memorable and whimsical shelter provides protection from rain, sun, and enables users to charge devices.

2025 PIVOT Fellowship Opens

PIVOT Architecture is pleased to announce the seventh PIVOT Architecture Fellowship. The Fellowship is open to University of Oregon BARCH, BIARCH, MARCH, and MIARCH students for the summer preceding their final year of study. One student will be selected following an application process that includes review of the applicants’ proposals for projects of their choice to be executed over the summer of the Fellowship. This project will constitute one half of the fellow’s responsibility. In addition to the project, the fellow will be incorporated into one or more PIVOT project teams for the duration of the program. The fellowship includes monetary compensation comparable to typical entry level professional architectural positions. Additionally, a $1,000 stipend will be provided to the fellow upon successful completion of the project and work term.

Applications for the Fellowship are due April 7, 2025. The term of the fellowship is from mid-June to mid-September, 2024. It is expected that the fellow will work approximately 40 hours/week, with most of that time spent within the office.

Click here for more information or to apply for the position.

News 12/11

PIVOT Welcomes Three New Designers

PIVOT is pleased to introduce our three newest designers to our team.

Designer Emil Good

Emil believes design is everywhere, in everything. Emil earned their Bachelors of Interior Architecture from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining PIVOT, they worked as a cabinet maker. Emil is working on the design of a new gym for the Oakland School District, the agricultural center for LBCC, the Childcare Learning Center for Klamath Community College, and other projects. An artist at heart, Emil enjoys drawing, painting, sewing, woodworking, and zipping around town on their moped when not at work.

Designer Fa’afouina (Ina) Fruean

Ina joins the PIVOT team with four years of experience. He graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelors in Environmental Design. Prior to moving to Eugene, he worked for an architectural firm in Honolulu designing high-end residential and affordable housing projects. Ina is working on the agricultural center for LBCC and other projects. In his leisure time, Ina enjoys playing world/city building simulation games and spending time outdoors, having his first experience in fall and winter climates.

Designer Jordan Levis

Jordan earned Master of Architecture and a Bachelors of Science in Fine Arts with a minor in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon. He has four years of experience and designs with a focus on environmental consciousness and community responsiveness. A native of Southern California, Jordan is an Eagle Scout and former California State beach lifeguard. Jordan is working on the agricultural center for LBCC, the Childcare Learning Center for Klamath Community College, and other projects. He enjoys camping, hiking, snowboarding, surfing, and watching sunsets with his wife at the coast while their rescue dog runs.

Insight 12/04

The 2024 Fellowship

With multifaceted affordable housing solutions an ever-growing need in the region, PIVOT’s 2024 Fellow studied the roles intentional community models can play in finding solutions for the housing and loneliness crises.

Abby Brown studied intentional community models, especially for individuals transitioning out of houselessness. Intentional communities are groups of people who choose to live collaboratively and strive to create a lifestyle that reflects their shared values.

The housing shortage has created intense pressure on the housing market, particularly in cities like Eugene. Extremely low vacancy rates have resulted in an ultra-competitive housing environment, exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals trying to secure affordable housing. For many, this has led to homelessness.