How can we reinterpret a vernacular in order to design a more sustainable and cost-effective building practice without compromising the integrity of the existing urban fabric? Buildings are a reflection of many things, especially their place in time. The University of Oregon’s Eugene campus is defined by the lovely old and exciting new. Hundred year old fir trees gently shade the winding sidewalks, and gardens of iris, fern and rosemary fill the air as seasons gradually take their shape. Intricate brick buildings define space and place with the help of expansive courtyards and magnolia trees, establishing an eclectic amalgamation of prospect and refuge. As part of the M.Arch curriculum at the U of O, students were asked to design and develop an economical enclosure system for an upcoming project located in the heart of campus.