Architecture Foundation of Oregon Honors Benson Industries at Benefit

by Elisa Klein | Oct 18, 2013 | Events, Features, Uncategorized

Portland, October 10th, 2013.  Over 600 fans of the designed and built environment gathered to pay tribute to Benson Industries, the Portland-based global leader in the design, pre-fabrication and installation of custom unitized curtain wall systems (everything you see on the outside of the building) for some of the most intricate and interesting buildings in Oregon and throughout the world. The dinner was also time to celebrate the educational programs of the The Architecture Foundation of Oregon, so Max Becker and Ben Carr told afo board member Wilson Smith from Nike about their experiences in the Architects in Schools program. They brought their model house along to demonstrate their learning. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)

 The Architecture Foundation of Oregon raised $150,000 at the annual honors dinner those proceeds benefit afo’s programs and services including Architects in Schools, scholarships and public awareness activities.

Moderator, afo board member Susan Poss queries Hoffman Corp. President Wayne Drinkward, Gerding Edlen Development CEO Mark Edlen, and Pei Cobb Freed principal Michael Flynn about their collaborations with Benson Industries. They’re seated in front of “Benson City” a video skyline comprised of Benson building images from around the globe. 

2013 afo Honored Citizens, Benson Industries. Seated, left to right, are Carol and Joe Aholt, Benson COO, Tom Valvo of Benson parent company Mitek, Benson CEO Lou Niles, and Glori Niles. Standing are Michael Flucke, John Beaulieu, Paula Beaulieu, Peter Potwin and Cheryl Myers.

Curtain Wall Shish Kebabs — articulated sculptures made of extrusions from the Long Beach Federal Courthouse — were going home as garden art.

Volunteers at the ready for the membership sweep: Amiri Horn, Lilla Knowles, Clara Adams, kid-wrangler Amanda Morgan, Caleb Vaudt and Ben Becker.

From The Architecture Foundation of Oregon:

We supports Oregon’s quality of life and creates awareness of our designed environments through education, advocacy, philanthropy & inspiration.

Design can be nearly invisible yet it has considerable impact on our everyday lives. afo helps people connect to design and the ways in which it shapes their lives and their communities.

As populations continue to grow and the natural environment is increasingly built upon, afoworks to foster thoughtful, considered decisions about the buildings and infrastructure that are placed in our world. Oregon, in particular, is a very special, almost sacred place. With its rugged Pacific coastline, its pristine mountain ranges, sumptuous river valleys, vast high deserts and fertile agricultural lands, it reminds us of why our predecessors faced arduous journeys to reside here.

Putting a shovel in that land, felling a tree, pouring a foundation, erecting or altering a structure, neighborhood or community are privileges that come with a deep responsibility to step lightly on the earth. We share responsibility, not only in terms of ecological consciousness, but also with regard to the visual, spatial and tactile impact that the built environment has on our daily lives. We must pay attention to the shadows that are cast, the pathways that might be blocked, and the connections that may be broken as changes are made.

Thoughtful, considered design enhances our relationship to the natural environment and to humanity. afo works to help Oregonians understand this and to learn how they can contribute to preserving our very special sense of place even as our numbers increase and our presence expands.

History

With a desire to use their geometry for the greater good of Oregonians, founding members John Matteson, AIA, William Fletcher, FAIA, Brooks Gunsul, FAIA, William Merrit, AIA, Gary Michael, FAIA, Richard E. Ritz, AIA, Jon Schleuning, FAIA, and Roger Yost, FAIA, began the Architecture Foundation of Oregon in 1981.

Five founding firms provided initial funding for the fledgling foundation: BOORA Architects, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, SRG Partnership, Yost Grube Hall Architects, and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership. Each contributed $5,000 to help fund an endowment and incorporated afoas a not for profit Oregon corporation in 1983. Other contributions were received from AIA/Portland, architectural firms and individuals to provide operating funds.

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