When UW Tacoma's set out to create its first donor recognition display, it wanted something that reflected the character and history of our community: authentic, gritty, industrial, warm, and loyal. Using reclaimed old-growth Douglas Fir from a recent campus building renovation, UW Tacoma partnered with a local veteran to have the wood engraved and printed with historic images. A lot of work went into engineering how to hang a 19-foot-long, 900-lb wood beam off a concrete wall and how to hang the panels in a way that we could add more (or change out to larger sizes) in the future.
From the Judges' Report
Excellent use of materials (past, present and future); space for future growth (our current donor recognition system is full and we have no space to add new names. It was a problem no one thought of 10 years ago); nice way to tell stories of connection with school and community; good design contrast of cement wall and then wood. This is a very high-class total package!
