Pickathon’s largest performance space. At the heart of this scenic expanse will be a series of rhythmic timber cylinders. These aren’t just supports for a stage; they are sculptures, shelters, and invitations to connect.

The Paddock stage design, a collaboration between ZGF Architects and Hoffman Construction, seeks to transform sound—its form, texture, and light—into a tangible, immersive experience (timbre). Drawing inspiration from the organic power of musical instruments, our team focused on the djembe drum, extracting abstract forms from its essence as a dynamic percussion tool. The vision unfolds as a vibrant field of “live” drums, strategically shaped, scaled, and illuminated to create a pulsating energy around the stage. More than just a backdrop, this rhythmic landscape fully embraces both the performance space and the surrounding Paddock neighborhood, offering concertgoers a truly immersive tangible, auditory, and visual spectacle within Pendarvis Farm.

Mentorship is at the heart of the ZGF/Pickathon team, where passion and experience come full circle. Their team is built on a foundation of growth—formed by graduates of architecture programs across the country, each charting a path from student to professional. One team member has experienced Pickathon as a student, an alum, and now as a practicing architect, bringing the spirit of mentorship to life through past collaborations with Portland State University. Alongside them, recent architecture graduates are stepping boldly into the world of design, shaping ideas from first sketch to final structure. They are not only honing their craft—they are pushing creative boundaries. This is more than a project; it’s a testament to evolution, creativity, and the next generation of architects building their future.