University of Oregon Partners with RDG Planning & Design

Celebrating 50 years as a multi-disciplinary planning and design firm, RDG Planning & Design deftly serve the collegiate market, nationwide. They offer a complete range of services, including architectural programming, comprehensive facility design, feasibility analysis, needs assessment, master planning, and of course a full range of traditional architectural / engineering services, with disciplines of practice including architecture, landscape architecture, planning, interiors, artistry, graphics, media, lighting design, and engineering.

With offices in Iowa, Nebraska, and Florida, RDG is keenly focused on high quality, user-friendly, recruiting and retention-enhancing recreation facilities, indoors and out. Their designs make powerful first impressions and are regularly recognized for project achievement, high performance, and design excellence.

RDG creates sports and recreation facilities that use less energy, and reduce environmental impact while well-serving students, patrons, and administrators alike. This hard work pays off with reduced costs of operation, higher margins for your building operating expenses, and dramatically improved spaces for the human condition. RDG has proudly authored nine USGBC LEED Platinum certified facilities, four of which are in the collegiate market.

Another one of these facilities to achieve LEED Platinum certification is the University of Oregon Student Recreation Center. We spoke with Kevin Marbury, the director of physical education and recreation at the University of Oregon, about their experience working with RDG Planning & Design.

Campus Rec: How were you introduced to RDG Planning & Design and why did you partner with them?

Kevin Marbury: I was introduced to them when I took the job of Director, PE & Rec here at the University of Oregon in July 2012. They had already been selected as the primary architect before I assumed this position. I had some familiarity with them from my time at Old Dominion University when we were selecting architects for that project.

CR: What were the benefits to your recreation center as a result of the partnership?

KM: I think RDG really understood what the University of Oregon needed and wanted in this project. They really listened to the various constituents during the many focus group session and made adjustments when possible to address the desires expressed by the UO community. They did a nice job of balancing wants and needs in their design of the final product.

CR: Have you been pleasantly surprised by working with RDG Planning & Design in any way?

KM: I think I was most pleased by how attentive and responsive the team at RDG was and continues to be. It almost felt like we were their only project when they were working with us even though I know that was not the case. They continue to maintain communication with us even now over 1 ½ years after we opened the facility.

CR: What else can you tell other recreation professionals about the benefits of working with RDG Planning & Design?

KM: I think my colleagues will enjoy the experience the RDG. The energy and passion they bring to the table is inspiring and they are easy to communicate with during the process. I’m confident they will be pleased with the outcome of working with this great group of professionals.

The UO architectural team was Architect of Record: Robertson | Sherwood | Architects pc; Sports Design Architect: RDG Planning & Design; Contributing Architect: Poticha Architects.