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in Nigeria decided it wanted its new campus to look like one in the United States, so it hired Portland-based .

The design process for two 80,000-square-foot dormitories and a lecture hall has been challenging because of an accelerated project schedule and the fact that it is taking place overseas, said Henry Fitzgibbon, a partner with the firm.

鈥淏elieve it or not, it’s not that far off the beaten path,鈥� he said. 鈥�(But) they have a lot of different ways of practicing architecture and construction over there.鈥�

Ebonyi State University was founded in 1996 and presently operates in the facilities of a former university. School officials are looking to build a new campus.

The project’s contracting system is based on the model in the United Kingdom, which formerly had claim of Nigeria. Owners provide contractors with building materials and project supervision 鈥� contractors are more like 鈥渓abor brokers,鈥� Fitzgibbon said. As a result, Soderstrom has had to provide some of the construction supervision for the project.

Another challenge is that the school’s officials expect the project to be done by fall 2013. So, the firm has had to use a 鈥渇ast-track鈥� system, wherein foundations are designed first and then other parts while foundations are being built. Even though the dormitories and lecture hall are not fully designed, construction is already under way.

鈥淚t’s broken up into stages,鈥� Fitzgibbon said. 鈥�(The speed) has been a huge challenge.鈥�

Because the site is near the equator, no heating systems will be necessary. Building designs are similar to those for previous Soderstrom projects 鈥� brick veneers covered in either gridiron or light-gauge steel studs.

Eventually, Soderstrom will design the entire campus. All 41 buildings will need to be done in less than 12 months and from thousands of miles away.

鈥淭he governor (of Ebonyi) came to the United States and visited a western style university and decided he really wanted that for his people,鈥� Fitzgibbon said. 鈥淵ou have to design it the best as you can get.鈥�

鈥淥n the Boards鈥� is a weekly feature that spotlights local firms’ best design work. Submissions from architectural and engineering firms are encouraged. Please call 503-802-7240 or email [email protected].