February 22, 2012

Out & About: Chemeketa Community College's Yamhill Valley Campus


Building Dedications are perfect days. Owners, architects, designers, contractors and all project
 participants come together with building users to celebrate a job well done. Problems along
the way have been solved, budgets resolved and schedules met. It's a time to say thank you -
to our visionary clients, to our partners in collaboration, to everyone who made it possible.
Yesterday we were at Chemeketa Community College's Yamhill Valley Campus where
the beautiful new classroom building ("Old Main") was officially dedicated. Designed
by Yost Grube Hall Architecture, "Old Main" anchors the new campus in McMinnville, OR

 

Chemeketa Community College's visionary president, Cheryl Roberts (above, with Elizabeth),
 welcomed everyone to the College's second campus, noting that Chemeketa is one of only two
 multi-campus colleges in Oregon. The art in the building showcases regional artists and is content
specific to Chemeketa and Yamhill Valley. The glass sculpture on the right, interprets
the Chemeketa motif, a graphic interpretation of the native American "gathering place"
which is the original meaning of the word "Chemeketa."


Elizabeth Anderson and Mark Stoller, YGH Principal-in-Charge for the project, are all smiles
as they take in the event and admire the results of their firms' collaboration. They are standing in
 front of LeRoy Setzoil's magnificent wall panel in the entry lobby.  


Upstairs, AK interpreted the Chemeketa motif to provide screening on the storefront glass at
 classrooms and gathering spaces. 




As we left the event, the building was illuminated against the darkening sky and the halo lit letters
on "Old Main" identified the campus along Highway 18.