2008 Woodie Awards
Todd sees need for more community building, provides a place to 'grow'
Alana Kansaku-Sarmiento
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Senior Projects
"He who eats alone, chokes alone". Lacy Todd opened up her senior project presentation with this proverb, as she passed a basket of thick, sweet, homemade bread around the dimly lit classroom.
"[People have] little time to prepare or share a meal with friends or family" said Todd, who said she ran from the library, ran from the books, and "ran straight into a labor-intensive community-building project" when she first decided on her senior thesis.
"[When] working with the Environmental Studies Program and SEA (Students for Environmental Awareness), it's really hard to get people together and focused on one issue [and] excited about something", said Todd, explaining how she saw a need for more community-building within Pacific. "[I just wanted to create a] sense of place where people can relax, and take time to get to know one another".
Working with fellow environmental studies major Michael Barbee, Todd decided to locate her project at the B Street Farm, a place she said she wanted to give back to. As Barbee worked on the stove (which was his senior thesis project), Todd set to work on making the site a truly communal area.
Enlisting help from the Portland-based, eco-friendly organization called "City Repair Project", Todd created a gathering place that she hopes will be able to host more than 50 people.
"I wanted to plant seeds in the minds of future seniors", said Todd. "I wanted to go beyond the research and do something useable at B Street or elsewhere". By simply providing a place to gather, Todd envisions an opportunity for people to break social conformities and build comfort levels.
Gathering the help of students and professors, Todd created a cob bench, which consists of clay, sand, straw, and water. The stove was built right next to the bench, which, once complete, was then inlaid with a glass-tiled mosaic. An image of the sun pulling on a wheat plant was chosen.
"The sun gives life to plants, which in turn give life to [us] as we eat them, and we in turn, [as individuals], give life to community", said Todd. "As all things give life to one another, I hope this project gives life to Pacific".
"[People have] little time to prepare or share a meal with friends or family" said Todd, who said she ran from the library, ran from the books, and "ran straight into a labor-intensive community-building project" when she first decided on her senior thesis.
"[When] working with the Environmental Studies Program and SEA (Students for Environmental Awareness), it's really hard to get people together and focused on one issue [and] excited about something", said Todd, explaining how she saw a need for more community-building within Pacific. "[I just wanted to create a] sense of place where people can relax, and take time to get to know one another".
Working with fellow environmental studies major Michael Barbee, Todd decided to locate her project at the B Street Farm, a place she said she wanted to give back to. As Barbee worked on the stove (which was his senior thesis project), Todd set to work on making the site a truly communal area.
Enlisting help from the Portland-based, eco-friendly organization called "City Repair Project", Todd created a gathering place that she hopes will be able to host more than 50 people.
"I wanted to plant seeds in the minds of future seniors", said Todd. "I wanted to go beyond the research and do something useable at B Street or elsewhere". By simply providing a place to gather, Todd envisions an opportunity for people to break social conformities and build comfort levels.
Gathering the help of students and professors, Todd created a cob bench, which consists of clay, sand, straw, and water. The stove was built right next to the bench, which, once complete, was then inlaid with a glass-tiled mosaic. An image of the sun pulling on a wheat plant was chosen.
"The sun gives life to plants, which in turn give life to [us] as we eat them, and we in turn, [as individuals], give life to community", said Todd. "As all things give life to one another, I hope this project gives life to Pacific".
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