Fifth year Architecture students recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to present their project redesigning the Oklahoma City jail to the State Department Diplomacy Lab.
The special topics studio is led by Prof. Marjorie Callahan and Dr. Keith Gaddie. The seventeen students have spent the semester developing a new design for the Oklahoma City jail. This design is based around the idea of rethinking incarceration, focusing less on punishment and more on rehabilitation.
In the American Institute for Architects (AIA) Headquarters, the students presented their ideas to the State Department. Their project was broken up into five main components in order to present their design: Master Plan, Cottage Design, Exterior Spaces, Gathering, and Jail Tech.
The students also spent their time in DC examining the different aspects of architecture found in the city. They visited several important sites such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The students were also able to meet with the DC Sooner Club, an alumni group in the area. This trip not only gave the students the opportunity to share their work; it also gave them the opportunity to learn more about the architecture of DC and network with past graduates.
The presentations to the State Department were just the first step in sharing their designs. The team will also have an exhibition at the MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery in Norman. You can view their exhibition in person at MAINSITE December 2nd – 6th from 10am-4pm!
Students will also be creating digital models for the ARCHITECT magazine’s Studio Prize competition.
A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP to its prestigious College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor—for his exceptional work and sustained contributions to architecture and society. Fellowship recognizes architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant impact at a national level. Members elevated to this distinction carry the FAIA designation after their name.
Students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 4 Architecture Design Studio, led by Professor Amy Leveno, exhibited their work at the School of Visual Arts. The exhibition, titled Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts, featured drawings, models, and animations developed throughout the semester's studio project. The show was hosted in The Spotlight, a creative gallery space located on the first floor of the Fred Jones Art Center, and ran from January 20–30, 2026.
