The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture’s Architects of The American School Symposium, held Wednesday, August 23, in the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, was filled to capacity for all three lectures with award-winning architects Brian Philipps (ISA), Eddie Jones (Jones Studio, Inc.) and Donald MacDonald (MacDonald Architects)! In attendance were Herb Greene and his family and friends, as well as many distinguished College of Architecture alumni, friends of the American School, local architecture enthusiasts, and OU faculty, staff, and students.
The symposium began at 10:15 a.m., with lectures at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m., given by Phillips, Jones, and MacDonald, respectively. At 4:00 p.m., there was a discussion panel focusing on the legacy of prominent American School figures, including Bruce Goff, Herb Greene and Frank Lloyd Wright.
Phillips is founder of the Philadelphia-based Interface Studio Architects, whose focus is housing, though the firm also is involved in projects in Boston, Chicago and other cities nationwide. The firm recently was awarded two American Institute of Architects National Housing Awards.
Jones is founder of the Phoenix, Arizona-based Jones Studio, whose notable projects have encompassed higher education and research facilities, National Football League training facilities, performing arts centers, a town hall, softball and soccer stadiums, and over 18 finished custom-designed homes. Jones Studio has been honored with over 100 design awards for 50 projects.
MacDonald is founder of MacDonald Architects, based in San Francisco. The firm concentrates on offering professional services in the design of bridge projects as well as in various other markets, including education, residential, commercial and small projects. MacDonald Architects recently completed the East Span of the San Francisco Oakland Bay bridge.
“Phillips, Jones and MacDonald represent the soul and legacy of the spirit of growth in our school. Their projects demonstrate a creative and experimental approach to architecture and the environment that follows the path indicated by this college’s organic tradition,” said Division of Architecture Goff Visiting Professor Luca Guido.
This special event was made possible with support from The American School Project sponsors, Ross Group Charitable Foundation, Hornbeek Blatt Architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, wdesign, and REES Associates, as well as the Bruce Goff Chair of Creative Architecture fund.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Thinh "Henry" Duong, a master's student in the Division of Interior Design, for earning first place in the 2026 Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition.
Gibbs College of Architecture Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) Director and Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design (PLAD) faculty member Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., recently published a new book, Collective Yearning: Black Women Artists from the Zimmerli Art Museum.
In May, students from the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture's Architecture, Environmental Design, and Interior Design programs participated in an intensive five-day Studio in Residence at Taliesin West, the iconic winter home and desert laboratory of Frank Lloyd Wright.
