Soon after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Design and Architecture, Donald K. Beck, Jr. formed Beck Associates Architects in 1981. The company would later be rebranded as Beck Design. Beck Design is a 40-year-old comprehensive architectural firm comprised of Architects, Interior Designers, Furniture Specialists, Graphic Designers, Marketing Experts and Administrative Staff. Many OU alumni have worked for Beck Design.
With offices located in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and New York City, they provide visionary design on a local and national level. The core of Beck Design’s work is the passion for imaginative solution-minded design that adds value to land, buildings, and people’s lives.
Beck Design features a diverse portfolio of public spaces large and small. Driven by technical excellence, effective communication, and common vision, the firm has helped many private and public clients to create spaces that are inspiring and functional, while solving development and environmental problems.
Their intermediate size facilitates clear communication between departments, ensuring their projects are executed in a clean, timely manner. The firm has been involved in the programming, planning and design of diverse buildings throughout the country, totaling over 1500 buildings, along with the renovation/restoration of over 80 million square feet of historic structures.
One of Beck Design’s iconic projects is the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma.
Pictures of the National Weather Center from Beck Design.
As you travel around Oklahoma, you are certain to see or experience other buildings designed by Beck Design including iconic projects like the Bricktown Development, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, Wanda L. Bass School of Music at OCU, Skirvin Hotel Renovation, Colcord Hotel Renovation, McKnight Center for the Performing Arts at OSU, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation John D. Groendyke Building Renovation and Expansion, and the Myriad Gardens Master Plan and Renovation.
Beck Design has been honored to receive over 100 design awards from organizations that include the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Interior Designers, the State Historic Preservation Office, the State of Oklahoma, Department of Commerce / Main Street Program, and the National Institute of Architectural Education. Most recently, Don Beck was honored with the prestigious Neal Horton Award at the 2020-2021 Dean A. McGee Awards, for his contributions to the development of Downtown Oklahoma City.
As Beck Design recognizes their milestone 40th year, they also celebrate the future. Beck Design is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Casey Tarp and Mr. Wesley Rutledge as Partners of the firm. Casey Tarp graduated from the Gibbs College of Architecture in 1988. Their dedication and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for clients have been integral to the success of the firm.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
