Oh’s commitment to a sustainable future is clearly visible in our everyday physical environment – in our recent office renovation for instance, a bright shade of green construction techniques and materials – but that’s not all. We try to embrace the triple bottom line, and one way is by commuting to work by the bicycle! We have found, as have most by-pedal riders, that the bicycle is a wonderful way to create an environmentally friendly office commute, as well as, helping to build our local bicycle community.

With thanks to a few folks around the Oh office, we now have an amazing wall mounted bike rack — comprised entirely of recycled materials picked from the The ReBuilding Center (except for a few small pieces of mounting hardware)  As you can see from the photos, we used reclaimed bamboo flooring and a colorful assortment of ceramic tile to create a theme of movement along the wall. It is a rather exciting and fulfilling “park” in the morning for most of us. Come by and test it out for yourself if you like! [it IS right next to the ping pong room]

Exciting news!  The Oregon University System has issued a news brief announcing the completion of Oh planning+design’s latest completed project: Oregon State University’s Energy Center.

OSU’s Energy Center is on track to become the first power facility to ever be rated LEED Platinum by the United States Green Building Council.  The Energy Center replaces the University’s 100 year old steam boiler plant and its five antiquated boilers (only three of which were actually functioning) with two high-efficiency turbines and two new boilers.

The new system will generate half of the University’s needed electricity and capture the waste-heat generated in the process, turning it into steam heat for the campus…an innovative way of reducing both the University’s energy bill and carbon footprint in one fell swoop.  Just another example of how our design approach can reduce the impact of the built environment on the planet and help humanity live in balance with nature…and turn out a nice little building at the same time!

Read more about the Energy Center’s other sustainable design features in the full announcement right here.

If you weren’t here January 22nd you missed out.

We had a great crowd noshing and nosing about the office, fun conversations — not always about design & architecture — and lots of beverages.

We also unveiled the fabulous lobby wall art work by Chris Haberman. And a time-lapse video of it being created.

But no remorse or you, or not too much. You can see it here. (Or find out about Chris and see our artwork and more on his MySpace page.)

As to missing the party part: We’re usually ready at the drop of the hat to welcome visitors.  So stop by.  See the fantastic mural yoruself. Have some coffee. Or other beverage.