Mission:
designBridge is a multi-disciplinary student organization linking the University of Oregon with the surrounding community by offering design and design-build services to clients. The focus is to bring the resources and energy of students to communities and organizations that don't have access or resources to acquire professional design services. We focus on projects that have a mutual benefit to us as design students and to the community. We seek projects and clients that share our commitment to sustainable design and green building practices. designBridge's strength comes from students' ambition and drive. We are motivated because our study is self-directed, and because we recognize that what we are learning has measurable, tangible value. All projects are vetted and selected by students. If students want to take on a specific presentation or project, they garner support and assure its completion.
History:
designBridge began in 2005 because students believed that architecture could be of service to their community and that they could learn from the experience of that community exchange. It is important to understand that this is not the passing whim of a few students. Students at UO arrive with (or are quickly exposed to) ideas of both environmental stewardship and social responsibility and continue to demonstrate a sustained interest in design as a tool for improving the quality of civic life.
As students, we have benefited from our choices of faculty leaders and mentors. Michael Cockram fostered initial endeavors, emphasizing the importance of articulating intentions and goals in order to direct our efforts. Nico Larco and Juli Brode have each been critical to designBridge's development, structure, student leadership, curriculum, partnerships and oversight that guide and support the projects.
