STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Here's what participants in the Ecosa Institute Program are saying about the program ...

"I feel I received a superior educational experience."

"The Ecosa program may have changed the way I view things forever! Thanks for everything."

"The program exceeded anything I could have fathomed. The interdisciplinary, field study, guest lecture components gave a life to the program that can't be found anywhere else."

"I learned what people need vs. what they want. Also that 'sustainability' is not only about nature but also about human connections and relationships. Architecture is only a piece of the puzzle that can start the healing process that this world is in dire need of. Ecosa is the catalyst that gives you the power to put all of the pieces together."

“As a life experience, Ecosa exceeded my expectations."

"Ecosa is a vision which has manifested in people. Resourceful connections, information flows, and teaching activities provide a backdrop for real-life projects which push the boundaries of ecological design. Ecosa is this backdrop. You guys have done it: jump-started a cohesive curriculum to address the real issues of life as a human through design. Furthermore, inspiration and insights you give to students for people (for us!) to live, as an integral part of ecology is invaluable! I know that I will treasure the gift, and carry it with me. Thank you for pushing dreams into reality!"

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"I think the most important thing I learned was to question my education and bias. Architecture education is taught with little reference to site, context, people, and the environment. Until coming to Ecosa it seemed like 'the right thing to do' was to concentrate on the aesthetic, rather than these more responsible issues. After participating in Ecosa I will critique my projects more rigorously for sustainable strategies. Another highpoint in the program was the ability to learn from a variety of people with different backgrounds and experience. This opened my eyes to many issues that I have not thought of before attending Ecosa."

"…since coming back to the U of O from Ecosa, I am finding that I know one hell of a lot more than I did before (and also a lot more than my peers) about pressing issues and how to design with so many new green systems in mind."

"Ecosa proved to be an invaluable experience that I will continue to learn from for years to come."

"Ecosa helped to refine and articulate many of my notions of sustainable design - and encouraged me to address sustainable design issues in a professional and responsible way."

"…it's the only school of its kind. I've come away with such a solid understanding of what I have yet to learn and the direction I need to take in order to grasp it."

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"I found the program to be very valuable because of the ‘real world’ structure as opposed to the conceptual approach taught at conventional schools."

"Ecosa approaches learning from a more organic, interactive angle = much more affective for long-term practical and holistic learning.”

"Ecosa offers opportunities in ecological design in a small group setting and you simply cannot experience that anywhere else."

"I became aware that the way we live/think is a product of many decades of conditioning - and isn't necessarily the ‘right’ way. It opened my eyes to the lack of responsibility people take for the Earth."

"I learned that sustainability is a very broad topic that is not black and white, but Ecosa gave me a solid foundation of understanding. After participating in Ecosa, I think I have the skills to move my career in a sustainable direction."

"I learned what steps I need to take to work in the field of environmental design and to change towards a more sustainable world. I learned that it is within my reach and that those big-time architects are real people which is inspiring."

"I learned about the importance of a deeper textural awareness of things, to be cognitively aware of your environment. That good design is not a tack on experience, but one which is inter-layered and integrated, each part or component operates in the context of the whole."

"…being able to talk one on one with leading architects was certainly one of the high points for myself. It taught me that they're normal people doing incredible things because they believe in what they are doing."

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"All the presentations were very valuable and useful. We got a lot of information in so little time which allows us then to go find out more on our own time."

"The program has honestly changed the way I look at building and the environment."

"The program was great - I've gone from a hazy idea of sustainability to a real grasp of the subject. I feel like I have building knowledge at my disposal and that I could design/build a project with any of the building systems we've learned. I've also learned to distinguish ‘sustainability’ for myself."

"It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience, I really liked the hands-on aspect and the field trips were great. It was a lot of hard work but I think that really helps designers to have a better appreciation for builders."

"The program was a lot of fun and more importantly I learned a great deal about natural building methods/sustainability. The experience of confronting issues of sustainability with your own hands is incredibly unique."


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