Chris' approach begins with careful listening. While balancing a vision described by leaders, users, and other stakeholders, with the reality of what is possible both operationally and fiscally, he translates needs into solutions.
Biography
Chris graduated from the University of Oregon in 1981 with a bachelor of architecture degree. He moved to New York and worked first for the architects of Barnard College. He then worked for Philip Johnson and John Burgee arguably among the finest firms of the city and country at the time. The firm's buildings won numerous national awards and while Chris was at the firm one of its buildings, the ATT building, was on the cover of Time magazine.
After a short stay in Portland where he designed several buildings, Chris joined the University of Oregon as a Planning Associate in the University’s Planning Office in 1988. He became University Architect and Director in 1992 and in 2008 was named Associate Vice President for Campus Planning and Real Estate division. In 2013 he expanded his role to include the design and construction group and headed the newly formed Campus Planning, Design & Construction unit with a combined staff of 40. During his tenure he completed over $1 billion of construction projects representing nearly 4 million gross square feet of space. Currently, he heads his own consulting firm CRC Facilities Planning Architecture. In this role he has provided services in master planning, space needs, and project management.
He has been a member of the prestigious Association of University Architects since 1996. The association’s members have given him four awards of merit for projects that have made significant contributions to the campus environment. He has presented at national and regional conferences, and the UO campus is perhaps best known for its ground breaking work in process based facilities planning -- the subject of a 1975 book, The Oregon Experiment, by Christopher Alexander. In 2010, his work on the campus was cited in the book “The Owner’s Dilemma” as employing “some of the most sophisticated planning principals and guidelines of any American university campus”.
He is an active participant in Eugene area planning issues, current serving in his second term as a City of Eugene Planning Commissioner. He served on numerous citizen-planning committees and for eight years on the Historic Review Board. He is a Past President of the Southwestern Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and founded its architects-in-schools program. He recently served on the board of the Portland based Architecture Foundation of Oregon.
Resume
Christopher C. Ramey AIA
1755 Fairmount Blvd., Eugene, OR, 97403, 541 556 6308, ccramey@comcast.net
Licensed Architect: State of Oregon, 1988, State of New York, 1985
Owner, CRC Facilities Planning Architecture, January 2016 to present.
Provides services related to master planning, space needs assessments, and feasibility studies. Major projects include a master plan for Lane Community College (with Rowell Brokaw Architects) completed in 2020, and various projects with the University of Oregon including a campus-wide space standards manual, the annual classroom utilization study, projections for future classroom needs, and preparations for amendments to the Campus Plan. He has recently worked with Western Oregon University providing advice related to their Capital Construction Funding Request.
Associate Vice President Campus Planning, Design and Construction and University Architect
University of Oregon - October 2013 to January 2016
Directed a staff of 40 responsible for planning and construction activities related to the physical development of the main 295-acre contiguous University of Oregon campus and off-campus university properties.
The office served as advisor to the university's administration with respect to the campus long range facility plan, defining future construction projects and assessing their feasibility, funding, and priorities, space assignment and utilization, off-campus real estate, managing project planning and construction of all projects, and design and estimating of small projects.
Chris also oversaw the University of Oregon’s Office of Sustainability.
In the last 20 years, the office oversaw the planning of more than $1.2 billion of campus development (3.4 million square feet) – the greatest expansion in university history.
Recent planning documents include the ground breaking 2011 Oregon Model for Sustainable Development, the 2005 University of Oregon Campus Plan and the 2008 Cultural Heritage Landscape Plan.
Associate Vice President Campus Planning and Real Estate and University Architect
University of Oregon - October 2007 to 2013
Responsible for all of the above except managing the construction of projects and small project design and construction.
Senior Director and Architect University Planning Office, University of Oregon
April 1992 to October 2007
Responsible for all of the above except the real estate functions. Served as primary planner and project manager for numerous projects during this time including the Knight Law Center, the College of Education, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Autzen Stadium, and the Student Recreation Center.
Planning Associate, University of Oregon
January 1988 to April 1992
University's project planner/project manager for large construction projects in planning stages including the Knight Library.
GBD Architects, Portland, Oregon
February 1987 to December 1987
Project Designer, Project Architect - Various projects of differing sizes, including a 66,000 square-foot office building and an 8,500 square-foot children's day school center.
John Burgee Architects with Philip Johnson, New York City
December 1984 to December 1986
Architect, Designer – Various projects including the design of the firm's own office spaces.
Smotrich and Platt Architects/Planners, New York City
September 1981 to December 1984
Project Manager, Designer - Various projects, including involvement with the firm's ongoing role as campus architects for Barnard College in New York City.
Education
University of Oregon, School of Architecture and Allied Arts, Bachelor of Architecture, June 1981
Professional Organizations
Society of College and University Planners, 1988-present
American Institute of Architects, 1986-present; president Southwestern Oregon Chapter 1997
Association of University Architects, 1996-present: Case Study Award winner 1997, 1999, 2001, 2009
Architecture Foundation of Oregon, Board of Directors 2005-2013
Community Activities
City of Eugene Planning Commissioner - 2018 to present. Citizen Advisory Committee – I-5 Willamette River Bridge Replacement 2007-08
Eugene Education Foundation Board, 1997-2001, Honorary Campaign Chair 2005/06.
City of Eugene Citizens Advisory Committee, South Bank Study, 1994-1995
City of Eugene Historic Review Board, 1993-99
Eugene YMCA Board, 1993-99
Lane Transit District Main Station Citizens Advisory Committee, 1995-1996, Meeting Chair
Christopher C. Ramey AIA
works
MAJOR PLANNING STUDIES
Mr. Ramey’s work focuses on retaining the look and feel of a campus while accommodating growth and change. Primary to the work is the description of an organizational framework of open spaces to be preserved, developed and expanded. Most all of the University of Oregon work includes intensive user involvement in reflecting the culture of the University and its decision making processes. The studies are noted to indicate ‘self authored’, ‘staff authored’ by staff while under his direction or ‘authored by consultants’ under his or his staff’s direction.
University of Oregon Capital Budget Request - multiple budget cycles. Creation and documentation of University’s Capital Construction needs (every other year since 1992). Includes initial identification of need, documentation of need, prioritization, funding, and follow up presentations to various approval bodies including those on-campus, within the Higher Education Coordinating Committee, and the UO Independent Board of Trustees, (formerly the Oregon University System and the Oregon State Board of Higher Education) and in the State Legislature. Self authored and staff authored – varies year by year, currently self authored.
University of Oregon Feasibility and Conceptual Design Studies. Creation of studies to establish feasibility and scope of proposed projects. These cross a wide range of building types from Museums to Tennis Centers. Authored by consultants under his direction or his staffs’ direction.
2020
Lane Community College Facilities Master Plan (with Rowell Brokaw Architects). A 10 to 15 year projection of the facilities needs for the College including the main campus and its branches. Completed over an 18 month period in association with Rowell Brokaw Architects the plan identifies $223 million of projects to be completed to meet the academic needs of the College. The plan includes a space use assessment identifying the current and future space needs of the campus and a vision plan outlining the aspirations for the physical transformation of the campus given its history and current contexts.
2019
Lane Community College Vision Plan (with Rowell Brokaw Architects). This document is a part of the Facilities Master Plan and was produced by Mr Ramey working with the assistance of Rowell Brokaw Architects. It describes the guidelines the College will follow as it makes decisions about priorities, identifies the defining physical characteristics of the existing campus, and describes seven themes that provide a roadmap to implementing the aspirations of the college’s physical future vision.
Lane Community College Space Needs Assessment (with Rowell Brokaw Architects). Based on the College Space Standards and informed by a series of meetings with each of the 64 units on campus who use space, the document establishes the total square footage the campus will need to meet current standards and the space needed to accommodate future enrollment growth. The document informed the work of the master plan by establishing the space needs of the College. Its findings allowed the College to strategically reassign space that was underutilized or vacant to meet needs rather than build new space and resulted in significant cost savings to the College.
University of Oregon and Lane Community College Space Standards manuals. These documents set the guidelines for how much space is assigned to various types of activities across the campus. Leadership and managers on campus’ use the standards to assess if the space assigned to individual units is in line with what should be assigned to them according to the standards.
University of Oregon Classroom Utilization Study 2018. This annual report was remade by introducing visualizations to better tell the story of which classrooms meet standards for scheduling and which do not. Leadership is able to make informed decisions on scheduling and renovations based on the data presented.
2016
University of Oregon Campus Physical Framework Vision. This Vision will supplement the Campus Plan by bringing specificity to improvements in the open-space framework, indicate where uses should occur, delineate the placement of future buildings, and suggest further development and expansion of open spaces. Authored by consults under his direction and the direction of his staff.
2014
University of Oregon Space Needs Plan. The Space Needs Plan documents one way future space needs for four different scenarios of growth can be accommodated. The Plan will be used to inform the work being done on a Physical Framework Vision for the campus. Self authored.
2013
University of Oregon Space Needs Assessment. Documents the current space needs of the campus. Self Authored.
2012
University of Oregon Vision Plan – Implementation Strategies for the 2009 Academic Plan, 2005 Campus Plan (second edition in 2011), and the 2011 Capital Project Budget Request. Self authored.
Extending the Academic Campus – University Street Feasibility Study. Rowell Brokaw Architects
Northeast Campus Diagnosis. Christine Thompson Campus Planning and Real Estate.
2011
University of Oregon Campus Plan (second edition of 2005 Campus Plan). Christine Thompson Campus Planning and Real Estate.
Oregon Model for Sustainable Development. Self authored with Christine Thompson, Campus Planning and Real Estate.
Residence Hall Feasibility and Market Demand Study. Ira Fink and Associates.
Residence Hall Modernization Study. ZGF Architects.
2008
University of Oregon Campus Heritage Landscape Plan (four volumes). Fletcher Farr Ayotte Architects with Mayer/Reed Landscape Architecture and Nancy Rottle ASLA.
2006
University of Oregon Tree Atlas of Oregon, 2nd edition. Dorene Steggell Campus Planning and Real Estate.
University of Oregon Hayward Field – Vision Frame Work. TVA Architects.
2005
University of Oregon Campus Plan. Self authored with Christine Thompson Campus Planning and Real Estate.
2004
University of Oregon East Campus Open Space Framework. Rowell Brokaw Architects.
2003
University of Oregon Development Policy for the East Campus Area. Christine Thompson Campus Planning and Real Estate.
South Central Campus Diagnosis. Christine Thompson, Campus Planning and Real Estate.
2001
University of Oregon Campus Tree Plan. Christine Thompson, Campus Planning and Real Estate.
2000
University of Oregon Sustainable Development Plan. Self authored with Christine Thompson, Campus Planning and Real Estate.
University of Oregon Southwest Campus Diagnosis Study. Christine Thompson, Campus Planning and Real Estate.
1999
University of Oregon Northeast Central Diagnosis. Christine Thompson, Campus Planning and Real Estate.
1996
University of Oregon Tree Atlas of Oregon. Mande May Campus Planning and Real Estate.
Open Space Conceptual Study. Cameron, McCarthy Landscape Architects.
Major buildings at the University of Oregon.
As the University of Oregon’s Associate Vice President for Campus Planning, Design & Construction and the campus’ Architect, Christopher Ramey has had responsibility for oversight of conceptual planning, scope and budget establishment, design team hiring, coordination with Campus Plan, design, design review, university approvals, and construction for approximately 47 projects comprising 2,400,000 of new square feet and 1,000,000 of renovated square feet. The total cost of these projects is $1.2 billion.
The body of work represents a vast array of building types and sizes. During his tenure he as successfully guided these projects within a university culture that demands transparency, inclusion and excellence.
His trademark is the integration of the user voice into each phase of the project from scoping to designer selection and the design itself. Mr. Ramey has employed a myriad of techniques to enhance the collaboration between designer and user the most noteworthy of these being the use of patterns in the planning and design process.
2018
College and Careers Building, Rowell Brokaw Architects with Office 52 Architects, New 50,000 GSF building housing classrooms, the UO Career Center, and the Dean’s offices for the College of Arts and Sciences.
2017
Residence Hall, Mahlum Architects, new 145,000 gsf residence hall with capacity for 500 beds.
Renovation to Chapman Hall, Hennebery Eddy Architects, complete renovation of 1939 building housing the UO Honors College.
2016
Jane Sanders Softball Stadium, SRG Architects, On-campus competition venue, team spaces, and indoor practice facility with seating capacity of 1,500 expandable to 2,500.
Erb Memorial Student Union, SERA architects, 80,000 gsf addition and 134,000 gsf renovation of the existing 223,000 gsf 1950 and 1974 building. LEED Gold.
Science Commons and Research Library Expansion and Remodel, Opsis Architects, 30,000 gsf of renovation with 4,000 gsf of new space.
University Housing’s Central Kitchen/Woodshop, Robertson Sherwood Architects, 22,000 gsf new space, LEED Gold.
2015
Straub Hall Deferred Maintenance, Rowell Brokaw architects, Seismic and deferred maintenance renovation of a historically significant 1929 82,545 gsf building housing Psychology and Linguistics and general university classrooms. LEED Gold.
Student Recreation Center, Robertson Sherwood architects, 110,000 gsf addition and 32,000 gsf of renovation to an existing 152,000 gsf building complex. LEED Gold.
Straub and Earl Halls Classroom Expansion, Rowell Brokaw architects, 51,000 gsf addition containing 900 classroom seats. Includes new 500 seat classroom with balcony. LEED Gold.
2013
Huestis basement expansion, Rowell Browkaw architects, 10,000 gsf addition, 5,000 gsf renovations for zebra fish labs. Project expands existing facilities including elaborate aqua culture labs. LEED Gold.
2012
Allen Hall, TBG architects, 23,000 gsf addition and 30,000 gsf renovation of Journalism School and new 8,000 gsf data center. Includes significant classroom space, collaboration spaces and informal learning spaces. LEED Silver.
Lewis Integrative Science Center, THA architects, 107,000 gsf new interdisciplinary science building. LEED Gold
Global Scholars Hall, ZGF Architects, 185,000 gsf new 451 bed residence hall with significant classroom and educational program spaces. LEED Gold.
2011
Fenton Hall, Robertson Sherwood architects, 22,000 gsf seismic and deferred maintenance project of historic 1906 academic building.
Anstett Hall, SRG architects, 19,000 gsf renovation of historic 1921 academic building.
Mathew Knight Arena, EB architects with TVA architects, 400,000 gsf, new 12,500 seat multi sport arena. LEED Gold. This project was managed by JMI Sports Management and Mr. Ramey served liaison to neighboring residential areas and the City of Eugene to work out transportation and use issues in order to obtain an Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Ramey also managed several predesign phases including site selection and feasibility.
Ford Alumni Center, Opsis architects with TVA architects, 61,000 new gsf building to house UO Foundation, Development, and Alumni offices. Project managed by JMI Sports Management with Mr. Ramey’s project management staff handling typical user group interactions including the early pre design phases of the project and the design team selection process.
2010
PK Park, DLR Group architects, 20,000 gsf, new 4,000 seat baseball stadium.
2009
HEDCO building, THA architects, 120,000 gsf new building. Houses several College of Education departments and clinics as well as a learning commons and classrooms. Managed through early design by Chris Ramey.
2008
Frohnmayer Music Building, BOORA architects, 30,000 gsf addition and substantial renovations. Contains classrooms, faculty offices, practice spaces, and a small performance space.
Miller Theatre Complex, THA architects, 19,000 gsf of new flexible performance space and renovations to portions of the existing theater.
Lokey Education complex, THA architects, 45,000 gsf of renovations to two historic buildings and one existing building housing various College of Education departments. Managed through early design by Chris Ramey.
Hayward Field, TVA architects, renovations to prepare facility for 2008 Olympic track and field trials.
2007
Peterson Hall, SRG architects, complete renovation for modernization and seismic bracing of 20,000 gsf 1916 historic building within the Lundquist College of Education complex.
Lorry Lokey Laboratories, phase 1, SRC architects, 27,000 gsf underground laboratory for the study of nanotechnology.
2006
University Health and Counseling Center, BOORA architects, complete renovation and addition to existing building resulting in 50,000 gsf of space.
Living Learning Center, ZGF architects, new 120,000 gsf residence hall containing 387 beds, classrooms, and dining facilities.
2005
Powell Plaza, Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architects, 12,000 sf plaza and seating area for historic Hayward Field. Managed by Chris Ramey.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, SRG architects with Hamond, Beebe, Rupert and Ainge, 35,000 gsf of new space and renovation of 30,000 gsf of existing space of National Register of Historic Places building. Managed by Chris Ramey.
Many Nations Longhouse, Jones and Jones architects, 3,100 gsf gathering and celebration space for Many Nations People. Managed by Chris Ramey.
2004
Moss Street Children’s Center, Mahlum architects, 15,000 gsf child development center.
Lillis Business Complex, SRG architects, 135,000 new gsf for the Lundquist School of Business.
Heart of Campus, Cameron McCarthy landscape architects, 50,000 sf improvements to existing street creating pedestrian oriented spaces.
2003
Autzen Stadium, EB architects, 12,000 seat expansion of existing football stadium including 20 private suites, press area, and creation of support spaces. Managed by Chris Ramey.
2001
East Campus Graduate Village, gLAs architects, 72 units of housing.
2000
Student Tennis Center, TBG architects, 6 indoor tennis courts. Managed by Chris Ramey.
McKenzie Hall, SRG architects, renovation of 73,000 gsf former law school into general classrooms, computing center, and department offices.
1999
Student Recreation Center, TBG architects, 60,000 new gsf and 90,000 renovated gsf to create new recreation center from former PE spaces. Managed by Chris Ramey.
Knight Law Center, YGH architects, 150,000 gsf new law school building. Managed by Chris Ramey.
1998
Moshofsky Sports Center, PIVOT Architecture (formerly WBGS Architecture) with Ratio architects, 135,000 gsf indoor practice facility for football and other sports. The first on the west coast.
Erb Memorial Union, McBride/Seder architects, 46,000 gsf renovation of food service and recreational space in student union building.
1996
Spencer View, gLAs architects, 272 student family apartments constructed to replace circa World War II veterans temporary housing.
Olum Child Development Center, Dee Unthank architect, 9,000 gsf day care center for faculty and staff children.
1994
Knight Library, TBG architects with Sheply Bulfinch architects, 160,000 gsf of new space and 231,000 of renovated space to National Register building.
Major Presentations and Conferences
2014
Society of College and University Planners (SCUP) regional conference. New Models of Integrated Planning. High Density Lecture Hall Reinvigorates the Heart of the Campus with Opsis Architects.
2013
Annual meeting of the Association of University Architects (AUA). Presentation of the energy component of the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development.
2012
Oregon University System Sustainability Conference. Presentation of the Oregon Model for Sustainable Design.
2009
Portland Urban Architectural Research Laboratory Symposium. Key Note Speaker. Pattern Language and Facilities Planning at the University of Oregon.
2009
SCUP National Conference. Collaborative Design – Tools and Techniques for Meaningful User Input.
AUA Award of Merit for significant contribution to the campus. Case study presentation. Many Nations Longhouse.
2008
Community Conversations. Panel participant, Campus History through the ages.
SCUP Regional Conference. Residential Life – Will Students Buy What We Sell?
2007
SCUP Regional Conference. A Process for Preservation and Change: Campus Heritage Landscape Plan.
2005
SCUP Regional Conference. Process for Change: The University of Oregon’s East Campus Plan.
2004
AIA Oregon Design Conference “Branding the Maverick”. The East Campus Development Policy.
2002
Getty Foundation Campus Heritage Preservation Conference. Invited participant.
2001
AUA Award of Merit for significant contribution to the campus. Case study presentation. Sustainable Development Plan.
2000
SCUP Regional Conference. Sustainable Campus Planning and Design in the Northwest.
1999
AUA Award of Merit for significant contribution to the campus. Case study presentation. Erb Memorial Student Union Amphitheater.
1997
AUA Award of Merit for significant contribution to the campus. Case study presentation. Knight Library Additions and Renovations.
Professional Organizations or Non Profit Board Leadership Positions Held
City of Eugene Planning Commissioner, 2018 to present
City of Eugene Community Development Block Grants advisory committee, 2017 to present.
SCUP, 1988-present
AIA, 1986-present
President Southwestern Oregon Chapter 1997, served on Board of Directors as Secretary (1995), President-Elect (1996), and Past President (1998).
Editor, 2000 Eugene Urban Design Charrette Report
Editor, 1998 Eugene Urban Design Charrette Report
Founder, Architects in Schools Program, Manager from 1988 to 1992
Architects Council of Oregon
Delegate, 1998, 1997, 1996
Association of University Architects, 1996-present
Case Study Award winner 1997, 1999, 2001, 2009
Architecture Foundation of Oregon
Board of Directors 2005-2014
Local Organizing Committee Member, 2008, 2012, and 2016 US Olympic Track and Field Trials, 2014 World Junior Track and Field Championship, 2005 to 2016.
Citizen Advisory Committee – I-5 Willamette River Bridge Replacement 2007-08
Eugene Education Foundation
Board Member 1997-2001
Honorary Campaign Chair 2005/06.
City of Eugene Citizens Advisory Committee, South Bank Study, 1994-1995
City of Eugene Historic Review Board
Member 1993-99
Board Chair 1999.
Eugene YMCA Board, 1993-99
Lane Transit District Main Station Citizens Advisory Committee, 1995-1996
Meeting Chair