You are a small architecture firm known as HMT Architects. In the RFQ submission, you are required to write 1 one page essay.

Essay instructions

You are a small architecture firm known as “HMT Architects”. In the RFQ submission, you are required to write 1 one page essay. The essay instructions are below. Refer to the memorandum for more context about the RFQ project to help you write the essay.

SECTION B6 Include in the submittal, a one-page essay describing your reflections on the impact of science on the world today as you look toward the future. The Impacts of COVID have brought the science community to the forefront of media. Include a reflection of science in American versus other countries in the world (be specific). Provide a lens on equity and inclusion in the process of sharing treatment methods. Why is this important to your organization when designing a facility for science? Why is local/ global collaboration between scientists w/flexible infrastructure an important consideration?

******************************************************************************************************* FEEDBACK FROM DRAFT Below are some comments based on the draft which was not successful. Please refer to the feedback and instructions to write a successful essay

Dear HMT Architects:

The University of Oregon (the “Owner”) is soliciting qualifications from integrated or full service design teams for architectural services related to the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact – Phase 2 (the "Project"). This letter contains the information required to respond to this RFQ (Request for Qualification). I know how much work is involved in developing a submittal of this type, and I would like to thank you in advance for taking time to respond.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact – Phase 2 is the second phase of the initiative to expand the University of Oregon’s strengths in bioengineering and applied scientific research and training, with a specific focus on facilitating innovation and accelerating the pace of societal benefit and impact of this research. The focus on bioengineering and applied science will change the profile of the University of Oregon in perpetuity. This effort therefore needs to be supported by physical infrastructure that similarly elevates the university to new heights. Having recently completed Building 1 of the Knight Campus vision, the University is embarking on the process to further carry out its vision. This RFQ will launch the Phase 2 process that will: continue refining the programming and master plan for the three-building Knight Campus; will develop the program and design for Building 2 through construction, and may incorporate the design and construction of Building 3 on the north side of Franklin Blvd. The current project has a primary focus on the design and construction of Building 2, which will be located just across the Millrace to the north of Building 1 and the bridge across Franklin Blvd. and that has established an iconic gateway to the northern entrance to the university and the rest of the city. It is envisioned that Building 2 will relate to but not mimic Building 1, as it extends along Riverfront Parkway to the north and starts to develop the vision of a quad on the campus north of Franklin Blvd.

This second building in the Knight Campus complex will further bioengineering and applied science research activities with the goal of supporting at least another 15-20 individual research programs and shared research equipment and service facilities. The second building will be a major expansion in the research capacity of the university. As a heavily lab-dominated building, the focus will be maximizing highly efficient and effective lab spaces in a well-organized building that promotes collaboration and innovative research. In the continued effort to bring several dozen new researchers to the university, this building will expand both core research facilities as well as flexible lab spaces that support bioengineering research endeavors. As collaborative research will be a consistent theme within Knight Campus, Building 2 will continue to prioritize flexibility in terms of allocation and reconfiguration of space that provides a supportive environment for a high degree of interactions among research groups. To this end, conference and seminar rooms will be an important feature of the buildings.

In addition to research spaces for individual bioengineering and applied science researchers,Building 2 will provide additional core facilities for the support of initiatives. These spaces will likely include a vivarium, surgical facilities for animal subjects, imaging equipment, fabrication and engineering.

While the functionality of the research and training spaces within Building 2 are of primary importance, we also seek to continue forward in constructing a set of buildings that are architecturally significant, that inspire those working within them, that inspire the entire university and Eugene/Springfield community, and that successfully convey a university that is at the forefront of innovation and excitement for the future. We seek design teams that share our enthusiasm in continuing forward with this transformational work.

The program recommendations include the following: • Building 2: ¨ 150,000 sf building, 4 stories above grade with a basement. ¨ Conceptual/Schematic planning for an addition of 75,000 to Building 2 in the future. ¨ Development of approximately 2 acres of property ¨ Possible pedestrian bridge linking to Building 1, which would cross over the Millrace. ¨ Extend university central utility infrastructure from the tunnel under the Riverwalk Axis to Building 2. ¨ Potential Improvements to Public Ways including Riverfront Parkway and Millrace Drive. ¨ Protection of the Millrace (waterway) bordering the south edge of the site. • Building 3: (Potential Scope that may be added) ¨ Additional 50-60,000 sf academic building, 4 stories in height ¨ Development of approximately 1.2 acres of property

Location: The Project will be located North of Franklin Blvd. and west of Riverfront Parkway. The North side of the property will be bound by the Millrace Drive.

Funding: Building 2 total project funding is targeting $225,000,000. Funding is anticipated to come from gift funds.

The Project will consist of a two-staged contracting approach. Initial work including Programming and Conceptual Design will utilize the Programming and Conceptual Design Contract included as Attachment A. Work will start as soon as this Contract is executed, anticipated to be late April 2022.The selected firm will work collaboratively with a Programming Team to develop Programmatic requirements and a Conceptual Design as defined in the Contract. The selected firm must be ready to commit key personnel to the Project immediately following selection and must be able to perform the work within the projected schedule, included as Attachment C. Upon conclusion of the Programmatic and Conceptual Design Phase of work, it is the intent of the Owner to execute an Architect Agreement (Attachment B) for the remaining work required to develop the project from Schematic Design through Closeout.

The Programming and Conceptual Design Phase shall conform to the defined period as described in the schedule attached to this RFQ (Attachment C). It MAY include two multi- day (2-3 day) site visits to locations yet to be defined. These will likely include one west coast trip and one to the midwest or east coast trip. Programming and Design work completed under this contract will include; space programming for Building 2 (and its potential future addition) and Building 3 while incorporating the space usage of the existing building, to develop an overall space program for the Knight Campus; space/adjacency programming and conceptual design for Building 2; as well as Conceptual Design work to define the opportunities for the future expansion of Building 2, as well as the development of pedestrian and traffic flow needs for the site, landscaping and hardscape concepts for the continued development of Knight Campus and the connection of this building in the context of the north campus development plan. The University has contracted Hoffman Construction as the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) for this Project. It is anticipated that the CM/GC will participate with the Owner and the Design Team in as an integrated design team throughout the design process.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS Firms must be licensed or have an application in process to practice architecture in Oregon. Additionally, the firm identified as the Architect of Record must maintain an office within Oregon and perform the work within Oregon. This firm will have primary responsibility for the work.

Draft Essay

Score: 1/6

How did the United States overcome and rise up from being a once backwards country, to being one of the one of the most influential nations the world has witnessed? The United States pioneered countless types of industries that required the best of innovators’ knowledge on science and technological advancements. Therefore, science has a fundamental part in America’s ever so rapid advancement in comparison to the rest of the world. For instance, most high rises across Southern California were built using the welded steel moment-frame construction (WSMF) method which was believed to be earthquake-proof as steel is considered strong and ductile. In 1994 however, Northridge was hit with a devastating earthquake which led to the fall of many WSMF structures. Despite the Northridge earthquake being a disastrous event, it encouraged innovators to move past the WSMF method of construction to eventually develop a seismic base isolation system which then became one of the most common methods used to protect structures from seismic activities.

Compared to most countries that experience high frequencies of seismic activities, the United States remains more well equipped to safely get by earthquakes of greater scales. Haiti is a country located on an Island within close proximity of the United States’ East Coast and is prone to getting frequent earthquakes. Many buildings in Haiti are still built on fixed bases, meaning that they are built directly on the ground and are therefore more likely to collapse even at an event of a smaller scale earthquake.

Science is a deeply vast topic that has a great impact on the advancement of many professions, particularly innovative practices. Today, science has become an integral part of our everyday lives as the whole world has unanimously experienced what it was like to live in a time of uncertainty which caused the yearning for people to become scientifically literate.

At HMT Architects, we acknowledge the variety of scientific issues that our world is facing and our role is to stay up to date with scientific innovation that relates to overall structure, building and user efficiency. -HMT Architects Team

******************************************************************************************************* FEEDBACK FROM DRAFT Below are some comments based on the draft which was not successful. Please refer to the feedback and instructions to write a successful essay