A History of the Architecture of the USDA Forest Service

Jo Ann Simpson
Engineering Technician (1969-1982)
Architect (1982-1994)
Regional Architect, Region 6 (1994-Present)

I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. At least it has always felt that way.

I'll start with the basics. I was born in Yakima, Washington, in 1950. My father was a carpenter and my mother was a nurse. My parents were divorced when I was 5, and my mother raised our family in Portland, Oregon. Luckily, she had a career to fall back on (something that was not very common for a woman during those years). She was a wonderful role model, and through her example I learned self-reliance and determination.

After high school, I went to Oregon State University (OSU) to study textile design. I thought I wanted to be an interior designer. OSU only offered interior design through their Home Economics Department. I took basic design and an architectural drawing course. From that time forward, I knew I wanted to be an architect. There weren't many, if any, women in the technical programs like engineering, architecture, and medicine.

It was while I was attending OSU that I started to work part time at the Siuslaw National Forest Supervisor's Office in Corvallis as a forestry aide. I was able to do this through a work-study program. Working for the forest facilities engineer, Tom Bakondi, I got my first taste of drafting, engineering, and some architecture. This enabled me to stay in school, and was the beginning of what I never intended to be a very long career with the Forest Service.

After 2 years at OSU, I ran out of money and decided to return to Portland. The Forest Service offered me a full-time job as a "draftsman" in the architecture group at the Regional Office. It was 1969, I was 19 years old, and I thought I had the world by the tail. The Regional Office was where I met some fantastic people and had the opportunity to work with some of the best architects, engineers, and technicians in the Northwest. Ken Reynolds headed the architects, and I learned about structural design and how things went together. Joe Mastrandrea was my idol. Not at first, because we had a tendency to butt heads, but as time went on, I learned more from that man than anyone I've ever met. He was a wonderful mentor and friend. Marcus Becktell worked as a technician in the group and was a remarkable draftsman and detailer.

During the early 1970's, the primary workload was visitor centers (Cape Perpetua and Lava Lands), standard plans for administrative buildings, and nursery facilities. I was fortunate to work on the design teams for both Wind River and Medford Nurseries. It was also during this time that I married; had my son, Levi; and divorced about 5 years later.

In 1980, I decided to go back to school and finish my degree in architecture. I quit my full-time job and moved Levi (who was 4 years old) and myself to Seattle, Washington, to attend the University of Washington. I started working part time at the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. While there, I worked on the Huckleberry Creek Nursery Office and Gold Basin Campground facilities and prepared site plats for each district.

By October 1984, I was back in Portland at the Regional Office with my B.A. and master's in architecture (structural design focus). I became one of three architects in the Region. The largest workload was tree-cooler designs and all the support facilities for the reforestation program. I designed the McKenzie, Barlow, and North Bend tree coolers; additions to the Sisters and Kettle Falls offices; and the Lowell warehouse.

After getting my architectural licenses in the States of Washington and Oregon and to keep current in the private sector, I started my own architectural firm. I worked nights and weekends designing residential and commercial projects. I also decided to become active in the professional architectural organizations. I worked with other women architects as chair for the Women in Architecture Committee of the American Institute of Architects, Portland Chapter. As a delegate and treasurer of the Architects Council of Oregon, I worked with other architects across the State to develop legislation that benefits the profession.

In the early 1990's, I designed the Sullivan Lake and Toketee Offices (figures 3-34 through 3-37). I was fortunate to work with two very talented engineers, Lou Janke (Colville National Forest) and Rick Shockey (Umpqua National Forest). I received design awards for both projects, and I'm convinced that it would not have happened without their efforts.

Figure 3-34. Toketee Office, Umpqua National Forest, Region 6 (1994)

Figure 3-35. Entrance detail, Toketee Office

Figure 3-36. Sullivan Lake Office, Colville National Forest, Region 6 (1991)

Figure 3-37. Interior view of Sullivan Lake Office

The Middle Fork and Silver Lake Offices were my main projects in 1998. Middle Fork was a 25,000-square-foot design that consolidated three districts and resulted from an arson fire that destroyed the Oakridge Ranger Station. It was my first design that incorporated a large visitor information center within the reception area. The Silver Lake Office provided a long overdue solution to poor working conditions.

As I look back on my life and career, I have to say that I've been a very lucky person. I've had a challenging and gratifying career as an architect and I've known the incredible rewards of being a parent. Life doesn't get much better than that.