UO Bruton Design Intensive | A ‘Threshold’ space
Where: Eugene, OR (USA)
When: September 2024
Role: Courtesy Faculty & Co-Instructor with Ursula Hartig
Program: Bruton Design Intensive (two week design-build intensive) at the University of Oregon
Partners: Everyone Village, Jerry’s, Lowe’s, Coyote Steel, Lane Forest Landscape, BRING, Gray’s Garden Center.
Photos Credits: the Author
The University of Oregon’s Bruton Design Intensive represents a dynamic and transformative program that brings together students from the School of Architecture & Environment for an immersive two-week design-build charrette. This program goes beyond traditional classroom learning to equip students with a comprehensive skill set that extends well beyond the realm of design.
During the 2024 Bruton Design Intensive, 14 students collaborated closely with Everyone Village - a local non-profit providing shelter and resources to 70 residents experiencing homelessness in Eugene. Through meaningful conversations with the residents, students identified the community’s needs and translated them into design solutions. This resulted in the design and construction of a tangible threshold for the village’s Welcome Center, inclusive of a garden and landscape area. The goal was to create a welcoming, inviting entry point to the site that reflects the identity of the village. In the summer, the space functions as an extension of the indoor area and has therefore been equipped with built-in benches, tables, and shelves. The main structure is composed of 400 interwoven 2x4" pieces, a design that simplified construction while allowing for the integration of additional elements.
“The Bruton Design Intensive was a beautiful expression of what we are all about at Everyone Village; partners, neighbors and friends coming together to see each other, hear each other, know each other and then together serve each other. All of this to bless the community that we share. There were countless moments of this design build where this sweet way of sharing and doing life together was on full display. [...] I and the Village will never forget the newest members of our Village, the 2024 Bruton Design Intensive team. Y’all are aces in our book and we will enjoy our new threshold for years to come!”