By Samantha Pohler and Odessa Cleavenger

Every new project is an opportunity for creativity and growth. This is especially true when building on past experiences and connections. Recently, BBT Architects completed a renovation at PacficSource Health Plan’s administrative building – continuing a long relationship between two companies who share values and common community goals. More importantly, this project brought together women in design and construction. From the client to the architect, women saw the project from kick-off to completion.

BBT, a woman-owned architecture firm with deep roots in Central Oregon, and PacificSource, a non-profit dedicated to investing in community health, have had a long-standing relationship that started with design and construction of the four-story building located in Northeast Bend that is their four-story administrative headquarters building located in NE Bend.

“Working with an organization like PacificSource Health Plans who shares our values of improving our communities and believes in professional growth is conducive to a process that goes beyond the completed project,” BBT Principal Renée Alexander notes. “When they called, we immediately embraced the opportunity to work with a client that makes sound decisions quickly – a rare quality in the industry today.”

Laurie Kidd, Director of Real Estate and Facility Operations adds, “Creating space that promotes collaboration is extremely important to our company and its culture, and BBT has been instrumental in helping us see our long-term goal of growth and expansion come to fruition. We felt extremely fortunate to work with a strong team of women at BBT who brought to the table creativity, a passion for what they do and a long tenure of experience.”

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AND TEAMS

While the assembly of the women-lead design team was not intentional, the design group’s dynamic boasted positive outcomes not only for the project, but also for the staff who participated.

Odessa Cleavenger, a design staff at BBT, has been working in the field for two years since graduating from University of Oregon’s Architecture program.

Odessa adds, “I went into school with the impression that architecture was a largely male-dominated field. The fact that this project was a women-led design team did not change the process or final project, but it was important as a woman who is emerging in the field. It’s motivating to have those role models–other women who are in a leadership position.”

Project Architect Samantha Pohler earned her license in 2018 and has enjoyed the increase in responsibility and the encouragement from her mentors to make mistakes and learn.

“When I applied for a position at BBT in 2012, having a woman in leadership was a major factor for me,” Samantha recalls. “Renee has been so supportive of me as a whole person. She has helped me grow as an architect while also supporting my transition into parenthood.”

FOSTERING WELLNESS

As PacificSource’s needs increased, the remodel of the second floor will help accommodate their growing staff. With expansive windows throughout the building and offices and meeting rooms centered in the interior, the overall layout allows light to penetrate deeper into the space with optimal access to daylight for all employees.

“We take the wellness of our employees very seriously. Getting light throughout the space while finding natural areas to create collaboration zones where teams can meet in casual settings to promote creativity were a priority,” Kidd noted.
The new office floor also contains a comfort room– a quiet, supportive room dedicated for new mothers and staff. As a mother herself, Samantha was attuned to what would be needed in the space and was careful to locate plugs, plan for furniture, and include conveniences like ample counter space with a sink, and hooks for clothing. The PacificSource team supported these functional additions to ensure the health, comfort, and wellbeing of their workforce.

FUTURE WORKSPACES AND WORKPLACES

“During college in the early 80’s and in the first decade of my career, it was rare to encounter another female in either classes, studios, or the workforce,” Alexander says. “Even when considering my tenure and experience, there were numerous times I was referenced as a helper or assistant. Though I never let any of those comments get to me, I take pride in the progress and impact that women have made in the design and construction industries. Having the BBT design team and client lead on this project be majority females was a refreshing and needed change.”

For Odessa, she was not only able to continue to grow her technical skills with the support and mentorship by Samantha Pohler. Samantha has enjoyed paying it forward with Odessa. In the earlier phases, Samantha asked Odessa to create her own layouts and design suggestions to present to the client. As the project progressed, she was able to pull back and let Odessa build her skills in Construction Administration. While Samantha was always available for questions, Odessa took the project over and showed the team how capable she is.

Samantha in turn had the opportunity to lead the project and develop the specifications for the project while working remotely from California.

In summary, Samantha acknowledges, “Knowing that I had a mentor in Renée, someone to trust in Odessa, and a reliable and available client in Laurie put me in a great position not just to thrive, but to help a younger generation of women embrace the experience and relationships necessary to succeed.”