Since its creation in 1995, the EDC's HOPES (Holistic Options for Planet Earth Sustainability) conference has remained the only ecological design conference developed and managed by students. Held every year in April, HOPES works to promote the deeper understanding and broader application of sustainable design principles.

Over the past ten years, the conference has brought such luminaries as Shigeru Ban, Sim Van der Ryn, Samuel Mockbee, James Hubbel, Angela Danadijieva, Michael Pyatok, Steve Badanes, Richard Register, David Orr, John Schaeffer and Clare Cooper Marcus to the University of Oregon campus.

HOPES features:

• nationally recognized keynote speakers
• expert panel discussions
• hands-on workshops
• green business expo
• 24-hour design charrette
• environmental art
• and more!

About the EDC

The relationship between the built and natural worlds must be sustainable. The Ecological Design Center believes designers should pioneer this relationship. The EDC seeks to educate and inspire University of Oregon design students to have the awareness, sensitivity, and expertise to lead the community toward sustainability. While the EDC's focus is in the design disciplines, we welcome interested students and community members of all fields.

Our mission is to:

• Advocate for an interdisciplinary ecological design curriculum for AAA students,
• Cultivate networking opportunities for AAA students with professionals practicing sustainable design of the built environment,
• Create a forum for ecological design dialogue through the HOPES conference, traditional and digital publications, and on-going events,
• Advocate for and implement ecological planning and design on the University of Oregon campus and Eugene community.

Our sponsors

In addition to the EDC's funding through the Associated Students of the University of Oregon and the UO School of Architecture and Allied Arts, the HOPES conference recieves sponsorships from various businesses and organizations in the community, including a long-standing relationship with the Eugene Water and Electric Board.

Thank you to this year's conference sponsors:

• EWEB
• UO School of Architecture & Allied Arts
• UO Architecture Department
• UO Student Advisory Council
• UO Landscape Architecture Department
• UO Art Department
• Pivot Architecture, Eugene OR
• Gerding/Elden Development Company
• Craig Curtis of Miller Hull Partnership
• Sue Dockstader and Steen V. Mitchell
• Jon Gierlich
• David Arkin
• Diane Armpriest
• Charles O’Hara of Swinomish Tribal Community
• Nancy Cheng
• Wilmot Gilland
• Kenneth Helphand
• Judi Horstmann
• Brook Muller and Cathy Corlett
• B.K. Burns and Denise L. Burns
• Cathleen Corlet
• Janet McCulloch