John E. Jaqua Academic Center

The John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes at the University of Oregon explores the limits of transparency and connectivity to provide the UO’s student-athletes a place to gather as a community focused on study and learning. “The Jaqua Center,” as it has become known, uses a series of creative innovations in the design of the building envelope and the surrounding landscaping in support of resolving the challenges of the site, all while addressing and leveraging opportunities within existing state energy policies and state regulations.

This 40,000 SF state-of-the-art academic learning center accommodates the NCAA mandated academic services for the tutoring of student athletes, and contributes to both recruitment of new athletes as well as retention and success of Oregon’s 520 student athletes.

The first floor of the building is open to the public with a café, auditorium, atrium for public events and “hall of fame” to recognize past, present and future student athletes at the University. The first floor also includes staff offices and shared tutor areas for student-athlete/general student body group sessions. The two floors above are for the exclusive use of Oregon’s student-athletes and athletic staff and require secure access. The facility includes a 114-seat auditorium, conference room, 35 tutor rooms, 25 faculty/advising offices, conference room, flexible classroom, computer lab with 54 computer stations, graphics lab, 3 teaching labs, library, student lounge, tutor lounge, staff lounge, and 40 study carrels, configured to accommodate two student-athletes per carrel, enough for all freshmen. The site also includes 34 metered parking spots for building visitors, with LEG lighting and white parking "stripes" formatted like the yard lines on a football field.

The facility is the result of a generous gift from Phil and Penny Knight to encourage academic achievement along with athletic performance. The building is named after John E. Jaqua, who was a football hero, war hero, successful farmer, revered lawyer, founding board member of Nike, adored father and longtime supporter of the University of Oregon. Jaqua’s legacy is meant to awaken every generation to look itself in the eye and be the best it can be, and his namesake represents a challenge to student athletes to fulfill their promise.

ZGF's design portfolio includes architecture, planning and urban design projects in multiple industries including academic, healthcare, research, public/civic, urban design, landscape, corporate, interiors. Our mission is to respect the unique qualities of each place, strive for design excellence, and be stewards of the natural and built environment. Our staff reflects a range of disciplines - in addition to architects, interior designers and urban planners - that also includes artists, anthropologists, journalists, registered nurses and engineers. This breadth of expertise gives us the ability to problem solve in a holistic way. With offices in Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC, ZGF's work has been recognized with more than 500 design awards, including the national Architecture Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects.

Gene Sandoval is a design partner with ZGF. His philosophy is based on fresh, holistic and socially responsible ideas that also respect aggressive budgets and schedules. Gene joined the firm in 1989 following his graduation from the University of Oregon. He is responsible for design and design team leadership on architectural, urban design and interiors projects, ranging from academic buildings to regional transportation systems. He led the design of the Port of Portland Headquarters Office Building and Parking Garage, the Twelve | West Mixed Use Building which is home to ZGF's Portland office, and the University of Oregon John E. Jaqua Academic Center in Eugene, Oregon. His other recent experience includes the University of Oregon Athletic Medicine Center in Eugene, Oregon, the Eliot housing project in Portland, Oregon, the Portland Transit Mall Revitalization, and stations for the Sound Transit Light Rail system in Seattle. Eugene was honored as one of Portland's top "40 Under 40" business leaders by Oregon Business Magazine.

ZGF's design portfolio includes architecture, planning and urban design projects in multiple industries including academic, healthcare, research, public/civic, urban design, landscape, corporate, interiors. Our mission is to respect the unique qualities of each place, strive for design excellence, and be stewards of the natural and built environment. Our staff reflects a range of disciplines - in addition to architects, interior designers and urban planners - that also includes artists, anthropologists, journalists, registered nurses and engineers. This breadth of expertise gives us the ability to problem solve in a holistic way. With offices in Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC, ZGF's work has been recognized with more than 500 design awards, including the national Architecture Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects.

Gene Sandoval is a design partner with ZGF. His philosophy is based on fresh, holistic and socially responsible ideas that also respect aggressive budgets and schedules. Gene joined the firm in 1989 following his graduation from the University of Oregon. He is responsible for design and design team leadership on architectural, urban design and interiors projects, ranging from academic buildings to regional transportation systems. He led the design of the Port of Portland Headquarters Office Building and Parking Garage, the Twelve | West Mixed Use Building which is home to ZGF's Portland office, and the University of Oregon John E. Jaqua Academic Center in Eugene, Oregon. His other recent experience includes the University of Oregon Athletic Medicine Center in Eugene, Oregon, the Eliot housing project in Portland, Oregon, the Portland Transit Mall Revitalization, and stations for the Sound Transit Light Rail system in Seattle. Eugene was honored as one of Portland's top "40 Under 40" business leaders by Oregon Business Magazine.