The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture places a unique emphasis on community engagement through its practice-oriented, teaching-first framework. These efforts define our success in five key areas, which are threaded throughout our students’ work and community connections: Arts & Culture, Development, Education, Health and Social Equity. These themes reflect the ethical and sustainable lenses through which our students apply their knowledge. Their successes are measured through stories that unfold in places as diverse as Muskogee, Oklahoma; Italy; and Uganda.
The Institute for Quality Communities is a community engagement program in the University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. IQC partners with Oklahoma communities to address local challenges, and brings best practices to Oklahomans through the biennial Placemaking Conference.
Gibbs College is also home to the “Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA)” which allows students to propose a student-led project that critically engages topics of community, social and economic concern within the built environment.
Below are some highlights from recent community engagement efforts. Additional examples can be found on the news page. For more information about recent and upcoming projects, contact Angela Person (a@ou.edu).
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of the 2025 Graduate Student Research Enhancement (GSRE) Award, a new program designed to support graduate-led research with strong potential to advance scholarship across the design and construction disciplines.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to announce that the University of Oklahoma Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships has awarded $30,052 through the Strategic Equipment Investment Program (SEIP) to support the launch of the Mobile Urban Design Unit (MUDU). This new resource will allow OU teams to bring high-quality tools for research and community engagement directly into towns and neighborhoods across Oklahoma.
The Community Catalyst team partnered with Sisu Youth Services Inc. to provide architectural services to support them in their goal of ending homelessness in the Oklahoma City area. The GDAA team undertook a winding process of learning how to support the design needs of this non-profit.
20 students in the Gibbs College of Architecture’s American School Design+Build (ASDB) program, including 13 architecture students, 6 construction science students and 1 environmental design student, are partnering this semester with WildCare Oklahoma, and together they have been named one of five North American finalists for the Land Rover Defender Service Awards. The honor carries the opportunity for a $30,000 grant, with funding supported by Chase and other high-profile sponsors, including Disney. Public voting is now open through October 19, 2025, to determine the winner of the Animal, Wildlife & Marine Welfare Award.
Three students from the OU Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture celebrated the opening of a pavilion they designed in collaboration with Sisu Youth Services.
