Telesis, the Gibbs College of Architecture’s award-winning student journal, is releasing its third edition in Spring 2022. This edition, “Isolation,” serves as a platform to discuss the systemic change required – at both the infrastructural and social level – to dismantle the equally systemic injustice and inequality.
“Isolation” explores how design can influence one’s sense of belonging, a question Telesis will continue to explore in forthcoming editions. Topics such as incarceration, discrimination, and disaster displacement were areas of focus in contributors’ investigations regarding how design can be used to improve conditions for isolated individuals.
A spread from "Isolation."
According to the publication, “Isolation as otherness is a lens through which we understand our obligation to tear out the roots of structures of prejudice and injustice. It lays bare the systems and institutions whose foundations need not be salvaged as they were built on the sands of division, oppression, and supremacy. It asks not only that we reconcile where we have been, but more importantly that we have the courage to imagine where we must go next.”
This edition of Telesis was coordinated by instructor Evan Sack, with support from Prof. Marjorie Callahan, Dr. Angela Person, and Ben Decuyper.
A spread from "Isolation."
Produced by students, Telesis has been recognized by national awards and grants for its exceptional quality. During its first year, the journal was awarded the Douglas Haskell Award for Student Journals. Benjamin Prosky, Assoc. AIA, and executive director of the Center for Architecture said, “The jury was particularly impressed with the fresh and relevant content included and the beautifully printed and created journal.” This fall, the journal was awarded a grant from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in Fine Art which will assist with the publication of the next issues, “Habitation” and “Adaptive Practice.”
Students on the Telesis team enroll in an architecture course which allows them to work on the team long-term as well as develop skills in programs like Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Students interested in working on Telesis can enroll in ARCH 4970/5970 for the Fall 2022 semester or contact faculty advisor Dr. Angela Person (a@ou.edu).
Flip through Telesis "Isolation" below!
To purchase this and past issues of Telesis as well as view PDFs for all issues of Telesis, visit the Telesis Student Journal page.
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.
