Caleb Bean

This is a photo of me in Turkey with my studio class getting a tour of religious architecture from a local professor. I am to the left in the photo wearing a white shirt and brown corduroy pants.

Degree: BArch

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024

2022-2023 Scholarship
Anthony Wong Scholarship for Research in Sustainable Design

I Am Originally From Seattle, WA

WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
I chose University of Oregon because I wanted to study architecture at a school that was interested in sustainable buildings. Within the program, I love how the professors engage with students and create a culture of learning.

I chose architecture because I recognized the importance that buildings have on both human health and the environment.

UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
I believe I am unique in the architecture program because I do not intend to work as an architect once graduating. I study architecture because I am very interested in design. I anticipate a career in building science engineering. While this career is architecture adjacent, I feel I approach many parts of my architectural education differently than my peers.

MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
Dr. Alison Kwok is one of the most inspiring people I have encountered. She is involved with so many groups, organizations, programs, and committees that I don’t know when she stops working. Despite having a seemingly endless list of things to do, she is always considerate and compassionate to everyone she talks to. I hope one day to work half as hard as she does, and to do it with half the amount of patience and kindness that she does. She has taught one of my favorite classes while being at the UO, and has helped me get several opportunities that have greatly bolstered my career experience.

I also must mention Professor Howard Davis, who similarly has been kind enough to talk about anything related to architecture with me over tea weekly. While not within the course curriculum,  conversations, just one on one, are one of my favorite parts about being at UO. He is a great friend and a mentor to me. He pushes me in my designs and challenges me to think critically about how I observe the world.

MY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
I am involved with UO’s American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). It is the only ASHRAE Student chapter at a school without an engineering program. To me, this shows our passion for efficient buildings and our awareness to realize architects do not do it alone. A place to discuss and promote ventilation and efficient mechanical systems is unique and I love being involved. I am proud of my Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) certification, as well as my LEED AP BD+C designation.

MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
Dr. Mark Gillem brought the entire studio to Instanbul, Turkey in fall 2022 for a week prior to school starting. We were able to collaborate with Turkish architecture students and professors. Learning from them was a wonderful experience and I feel very lucky to be able to have that opportunity.

AFTER GRADUATION
I hope to become an influential part of the building science community within the country, doing research and leading code changes that raise our level of building practices within the county. While I do not want to work as a designer, I will use my architectural background to understand how buildings are built in the context of North America. I hope to be part of a generation that takes responsibility for our buildings, and to restore a sense of civic pride we had in our buildings in previous generations.

YOUR GIFT
Being able to attend the Passive House conference is an opportunity I’ve been hoping to have for three years. I’m tremendously excited to be in a room with hundreds of like-minded individuals for the first time. The opportunity to present on a panel, let alone just attend the conference, is an exciting opportunity to share my story in front of people in the industry. The conference being in Chicago is also quite exciting, as I’ve wanted to go ever since taking a class on 19th century American architecture.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. You have given me an opportunity that I never anticipated having while in college. I am so appreciative of this, and I hope to re-pay this debt further in my career. The scholarship aims to promote research in sustainable architecture, which I assume must be an important field to you. I can promise that your scholarship is going to a person who deeply cares about this cause, and the funds will be put to good use while attending this conference. Again, thank you so much for giving a stranger this opportunity.