Happenings - Page 21 of 21 - PIVOT Architecture

News 10/06

Newly Registered Architects

PIVOT is proud to announce that two of its design staff have recently become registered architects.

Dawn Sowby, AIA, became a registered architect in Arizona in August of 2016

Ellie Johnson, AIA, became a registered architect in Oregon in October of 2016

Congratulations to these dedicated professionals who have diligently worked through the rigorous registration process. To become architects they must have earned professional degrees, have documented three years of diverse work in required specific areas of professional practice, have passed seven exams administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and have passed additional exams required by the states of their registrations. PIVOT Architecture is proud to assist with the development of its professionals, which now number 13 registered architects and two NCIDQ-certified interior designers interior designers. Our staff, like the firm itself, is characterized by a desire for learning, growth and development. Dawn and Ellie have demonstrated a commitment to their chosen profession by documenting their substantive understanding of our complex profession. Congratulations!

Life 10/01

PIVOT Fellowship 2017

PIVOT’s proximity to the University of Oregon is one of the many benefits of being in Eugene. We value our engagement with the university and seek new ways of fostering the relationship we have with the school which, for many of us, is our alma mater. In 2017, PIVOT has initiated a program that will provide one UO architecture or interior architecture student with the opportunity to work with us for the summer in the PIVOT Fellowship. Unlike the typical summer internships, the PIVOT Fellowship intends to engage the student at a much greater level. The PIVOT fellow will, as part of the application process, submit a proposal for a project of their own invention. The nature of the project is open ended – we are encouraging applicants to think broadly about what they might want to do. The project could be related to design, technical matters, planning issues, or some other facet of our profession. With our guidance, the fellow will work with the office for the summer, developing their project while also engaged with more typical office activity with the entire staff. The fellowship is an opportunity to broaden the horizons of the fellow and firm alike.

The successful candidate will be introduced in April and share his or her project as it develops. The PIVOT fellow will host a presentation of the project next fall. We are excited about the kinds of explorations this process will foster, and about our ability to assist and encourage high achieving students at the University of Oregon.

News 09/01

PIVOT Associate Steps Up As AIA-SWO President

PIVOT Associate Katie Hall, AIA, will serve as president of the Southwest Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-SWO) for 2017. The AIA is a membership organization that supports the profession of architecture at local, regional, and national levels. The AIA-SWO chapter supports the architects and the communities they serve of nine counties reaching from the coast eastward into central Oregon. The organization offers continuing education, advocacy, and comradery while providing a voice for the power of the built environment to improve our health, commerce, and enjoyment of life. Katie is determined to use her presidency to further architects’ participation in the conversations our communities are having about their infrastructure, development, sustainability, planning, and meaning. Her energy and clarity of vision promise to bring the chapter a year of strong contributions to the vitality of our chapter. Katie joined PIVOT in 2009 and follows past AIA-SWO presidents Scott Clarke, Bill Seider, Curt Wilson, and Eric Gunderson. PIVOT is delighted to support her efforts in giving back to the architectural community.

News 06/01

New PIVOT People

PIVOT Architecture in Eugene, OR recently hired two new design staff members. Shirin Majlesein, a native of Iran, joined the firm in April and Jacky Gomez, who hails from La Grande, OR, joined the firm in June.

Shirin Majlesein, originally from Tehran, Iran, joined PIVOT as a designer in the spring of 2016. Shirin has lived in the US for two years and moved to Eugene a year ago. She holds a master’s degree from University of Tehran. While in Iran, Shirin worked at an architecture firm and was involved in designing diplomatic and residential buildings. She has won several travel awards and a national architectural contest for designing a bridge across Haraz River in Iran. When not at work, she always has a canvas on an easel waiting for her.

Jacky Gomez recently graduated with a Master’s of Architecture from the University of Oregon. She holds undergraduate degrees in mathematics and art from Eastern Oregon University. She has several years of hands-on construction experience in concrete form and finishing, carpentry, drywall, and cabinet making. When she is not working, she enjoys fishing, furniture making, motorcycles, classical piano, backgammon, and surfing.