Project

A PIVOT Tour of the YMCA Construction Site

Project Manager Karen Williams and Interior Designer Martha Wassweiler took the PIVOT team on a tour of the Eugene Family YMCA as construction nears completion. The tour provided our team a chance to see how a large-scale, complex project progresses and how our drawings and specs are translated into physical construction.

The translation between what is designed “on paper” and how it is manifested in construction requires extensive coordination, countless hours of on-site collaboration with the construction team, and much, much more.

Fitting a complete tour of the 75,000-SF facility into an hourlong visit wasn’t feasible, so Karen and Martha hit the highlights, imparting lessons learned and practical advice from their real-time experience.

Some details:

• In the Teen Space, ductwork was arranged around the steel support beams to allow for proper air flow in the space. The positioning of the ductwork was key because it then determined the height of the light fixtures.

• With so many building systems running through the facility, specifying lanes helped the team track the cables and pipes and keep them in an organized fashion.

• With the welcome desk integrated into its surroundings, the design had to be adjusted due to the limitations of the saw-cut concrete grid lines.

The new YMCA remains on schedule and on budget to finish construction in mid-November and open in mid-December.

Wow

PIVOT Principal Katie Hall Honored as a 2023 Woman of Vision

PIVOT Architecture is thrilled to congratulate Principal Katie Hall, AIA, WELL AP, IIDA, on being honored as one of the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce’s 2023 Women of Vision.

“Katie is passionate about everything she does. She thrives on collaboration and works to bring out the joy and fun in her projects and practice. I’m so proud to see her honored alongside all of the other Women of Vision,” says fellow PIVOT Principal, Kari Turner.

Katie has a natural ability connect with others and make them feel both seen and heard. As a leader, she empowers and advocates for others.

“We all elevate when we do it together,” says Katie.

Katie joined PIVOT in 2009, becoming a principal in 2021. Her kindness, humility, dedication to inclusion, equity and diversity, and passion for architecture inspires us every day.

According to DJC Oregon, “Women of Vision is the region’s preeminent recognition and educational program that supports the women who are shaping the built environment with their technical skill, leadership, mentoring, community involvement and the creation of opportunities for the future generation of women in the industries.”

This year, 46 incredible women in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries were recognized for their impact on their companies and community through volunteer work and mentorship. We extend our congratulations to the other 2023 Women of Vision, all of whom are so well deserving of this honor!

Photos courtesy of Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon.

 

Wow

Halloween, It’s Kinda a Big Deal at PIVOT

Don’t know if this is true for all architecture firms, but Halloween is kinda a big deal in our office. We brought in Thai food for lunch and celebrated together with costume awards and a “face the cookie” challenge.

News

PIVOT on KLCC’s Oregon Rainmakers Podcast

PIVOT Principal John Stapleton, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, had an interesting and wide-ranging conversation with KLCC’s host Michael Dunn on the Oregon Rainmakers podcast.

John met Michael in KLCC’s downtown Eugene studio in early October and discussed sustainability, education facility design, and John’s path in design and construction, beginning as a contractor and working toward a career as an architect.

Give the podcast a listen.