Small towns. Old neighborhood business districts. Main Streets. Bungalows and brick buildings. Quirky road side attractions. Route 66. Highway 33. Highways 77….81…60…62….64…or any two-lane road. Classic cars. Diners and blue-plate specials. Local museums. Historic swimming holes. Landmarks. Courthouse squares. Antiques, pottery, recycled items, locally produced art. Front porches, outdoor eating areas, streets filled with people, sidewalks lined with merchandise.
During the last 42 years, Ron Frantz, a licensed architect, worked in over 100 Oklahoma communities to save important—and maybe overlooked—community landmarks and everyday places. Currently he works at The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. His roles include serving as an Associate Professor with the Division of Architecture; working as the Coordinator for the Environmental Design Undergraduate Program; and being the Director of Small Town Studios with the Institute for Quality Communities. Here, he works with staff, faculty, and students to provide design services for Oklahoma communities of all types and sizes while exposing students to all things great about Oklahoma.
