EUGENE, Ore. -- (Oct. 16, 2009) – University of Oregon students who participate in the student-led organization “designBridge” have established a good reputation for design-build services, especially with clients under the age of thirteen. In addition to an array of other projects, “designBridge” has reached out to local kids by taking on three recent jobs in the young community.  “designBridge” is an interdisciplinary, student-run, design-build group in the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.

This fall term, “designBridge” is looking to foster their relationship with grade school students, as well as continue to establish their services in the local community. The team will be in the early phases of several projects including a third bike shelter project, this time at Camas Ridge Community School in Eugene.  They will also build a safety kiosk on the UO campus and a rainwater harvesting demonstration and a garden project for Clear Lake School in the Bethel School District in Eugene. In addition to these student-focused projects, “designBridge” has completed the entrance for Eugene’s HIV Alliance and the seedling shelter for the Northwest Youth Corps.

The first project for local schools came in 2007 at Edison Elementary School where “designBridge” worked on a new bike shelter to help encourage a healthier lifestyle for students. Components included a custom bench, interior lighting, new bike racks and a colorful mural designed by local students. The project has helped to double the ridership over the past year.

One term after the completion of the Edison school shelter in 2008, “designBridge” started work on a musical playground and rain garden for the Moss Street Children’s Center, as well as another bike shelter, this time for Roosevelt Middle School.  Carson Howell, an undergraduate architecture student, has been involved with “designBridge” for the past year. When asked about her motivations she said, ““designBridge” really takes what we are learning in class and applies it. Most importantly, it teaches you what you won’t learn in class through a hands-on learning process.”

Last year, three years after its creation, “designBridge” was officially integrated into the curriculum at the university. Students now have the chance to volunteer intermittently as an extracurricular focus or to receive credit towards their degree as part of the ““designBridge” year.

Juli Brode, the faculty administrator and co-professor of the fall term pre-design class, says, “the educational value of “designBridge” is rich since it promotes a continued exploration of our culture's notions of sustainability.  Students gain experience with design exploration, material selection, and construction processes, but also through community and client relations, professional mentoring, and material and service donation.”

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Karen Johnson, AAA communications, karenjj@uoregon.edu, 541-346-3603

Source: Sylvan Cambier, student director of “designBridge”, designBridge@uoregon.edu; Judi Brode, adjunct instructor, julib@uoregon.edu

Links:
http://www.designBridge.org/
http://uo”designBridge”.blogspot.com/

Caption:  UO designBridge member, Lizzie Falkenstein, undergraduate architecture student with elementary school students at Cedar Ridge Community School in Eugene.