Happenings - PIVOT Architecture

Wow 02/26

Thirty years ago, the first flip phones went on sale, the Spice Girls released their debut album, and Bill Clinton was re-elected president.

It also was when Toby Barwood, who touted his fluency with Microsoft Excel 4.0, joined PIVOT (then WBGS). He cited career goals of improving the nature of Northwest cities through architecture and to, “Generally, solve more problems than I create.”

Thirty years on, Toby has led us on an adventure of endless creativity. He’s designed buildings that stand tall with purpose, spaces that feel like a hug, timeless transit stations, and conference rooms that seem to generate great ideas out of thin air.

“The ideas behind architecture are what intrigue me,” Toby said. “Architecture based on ideas tends to be more successful. When we’re able to weave together multiple ideas into a physical, functional form that resonates with clients and allows them to see their values in their project.”

One thing that makes his 30-year (and counting!) journey remarkable isn’t just the spaces he’s brought to life, it’s the spirit he brings to our team. His love for architecture is contagious, his curiosity is endless, and his ability to grasp the big picture and the smallest design detail simultaneously is inspiring.

“You’ve led us with a steady hand, a guiding presence, and an unmatched level of creativity,” Principal Kelley Howell said. “When your whimsical sense of humor shines through it brightens the room.”

“Toby, you’re one of a kind,” said Principal John Stapleton.

He joined the firm when drafting tables were de rigueur and “cut and paste” involved actual scissors. Through changing trends starting with hand-drawn drafts, the charge of CAD, and the rise of Revit, Toby has applied his intellect overseeing PIVOT’s technology efforts. When a login fails, the WiFi crashes, or a password is needed, Toby is our first call. To commemorate his milestone, we rewarded him with a wireless set of a golden mouse and keyboard.

“I’ve been honored to work side-by-side with Toby since I was hired more than 25 years ago,” said Associate Scott Clarke. “And what has amazed me is the kindness and patience that he has always displayed.”

Here’s to thirty years of drafting, dreaming, and daring to design differently. We’re celebrating the steady hand and imaginative heart that has helped shape PIVOT’s portfolio and culture and are looking forward to Toby’s continued ideas, kind mentorship, and laughter in the years to come.

Insight 11/18

The 2025 PIVOT Fellowship

With Oregon facing a housing crisis and natural disasters destroying available housing stock, defensive architecture can make a difference in alleviating these crises. Elizabeth Folpe, the 2025 PIVOT Fellow, explored the successful material and social characteristics of fire-resilient buildings and communities. She also developed concepts of modular mass timber structures that could potentially be used in disaster relief.

Liz’s research project studied fire-resistant architecture and disaster relief. She considered mass timber’s potential role in establishing resilient, humane, and sustainable homes. Given mass timber’s benefits of carbon sequestration, fire, and seismic-resistant qualities, Liz explored the possibility for modular homes designed with this technology to enable rapid construction of high-quality shelters capable of serving Oregon communities recovering from the growing threat of wildfires.

News 08/08

KCC Childcare Learning Center Out For Bid

With its new Childcare Learning Center, which is out for construction bids, KCC aspires to be open for year-round, all-day care. The program will also provide real-world educational opportunities for Early Childhood Education students and support the early childhood development ecosystem in the Klamath Falls Community.

The project is a new 28,000-SF Childcare Learning Center with construction from the ground up and site improvements. A mandatory pre-bid conference and walk-through will be held Tuesday, August 19 at 3 p.m. at Building 7, 7390 South 6th Street Klamath Falls, OR 97603. Bid documents can be found here: https://www.klamathcc.edu/en-US/about/request-for-proposals/index.html

News 07/24

2025 PIVOT Fellow

Entering the seventh iteration of its existence, the current PIVOT Fellow will study disaster resilience and modular mass timber structures.

Elizabeth Folpe, who will begin her final year at the University of Oregon’s College of Design in the fall, will consider how communities can plan and rebuild in the event of disaster.

For her project, Liz will research case studies of fires and fire-resistant architecture, explore mass timber’s new role in recent wildfire rebuilds, and examine the current challenges of Oregon’s disaster management by speaking to local professionals. She seeks an understanding of the successful material and social characteristics of fire-resilient buildings and communities.

With Oregon facing a housing crisis and natural disasters destroying available housing stock, defensive architecture can prevent damage. Liz plans to explore if modular homes made from mass timber—with its carbon sequestration, as well as its fire and seismic-resistant qualities—can provide a fast and high-quality alternative to traditional building methods.

A component of her project will include mapping areas along the region’s wildlife urban interface to explore what increasing wildland fire risk will mean for the buildings of the future.

Liz believes that by designing structures with natural materials like mass timber and relying less on plastics and other materials that release toxins when they combust, recovery efforts can be streamlined and communities will experience fewer health complications from wildfire. For rural communities, mass timber also holds the powerful potential to permanently improve quality of life by providing jobs in forestry and manufacturing.

Her project is a continuation of work in a recent University of Oregon studio concerning the resilience of new developments to Oregon’s future risk of wildland fire.

Last year, Oregon faced its largest wildfire season on record with nearly two million acres affected by wildfire, incurring costs upwards of $350 million, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry and the governor’s office respectively. As this summer heats up, Gov. Kotek has already declared a state of emergency as the threat of wildfire again looms over Oregon.

Liz became interested in architecture through her love of illustration, 3D modeling, and computer science. In her leisure time, Liz enjoys drawing, playing horror video games, wandering in the outdoors looking for oddities, crafting with laser cutters, and making furniture and clothing.

About the PIVOT Fellowship

The PIVOT Fellowship is a means of fostering original thought about issues outside the daily routine or obvious future trajectory of our firm’s thought process. PIVOT selects fellows based on the nature of their project proposal and other factors. It is a paid position and the term runs from June until September. The fellowship is open to students for the summer preceding their final year of study at the University of Oregon. The fellows’ projects constitute half of the candidates’ responsibilities. Fellows are also incorporated into PIVOT project teams for the duration of their term gaining real-world experience working side-by-side with our design teams.