Jim Givens is a professor of architecture at the University of Oregon and has maintained an active design practice since 1989. James places great emphasis on a design process that is closely tied to the site and to the reality of the building as it is being built. His current research investigates six houses for the depth of feeling and beauty that they possess.
Benjamin Waechter, FAIA, is an architect with over 25 years of experience on projects across the US. He is the founder of Waechter Architecture which was established in 2008 and is known for its design clarity and innovative Mass Timber design. Along with Oregon and Washington, WA is currently working on projects in Detroit Michigan, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sequoia National Park.
Waechter’s work and design ethos is increasingly felt across our region and nationwide: Architectural Record selected WA as a 2016 World Design Vanguards (1 of the 10 in the world). In 2019, the Architectural League of New York recognized the firm with its Emerging Voices Award (1 of the 8 in North America). In 2022, Waechter Architecture received the prestigious AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Firm Award. Other national awards include the Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Architects Newspaper Best of Design Award and Wood Works National Design Award. Ben Waechter was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2022. Ben is a native Oregonian and a graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture and Allied Arts. He is also an alum of the school's Italy study abroad program. This study abroad program led him to working for the Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Genoa, Italy. Ben is a big advocate for study abroad in general and also feels that Italy is the quintessential and important place for architects to experience and live for some period of time in their life.