Seniors in the University of Oklahoma Interior Design program recently travelled to Dallas to visit multiple design firms, projects, and showrooms. The two-day trip consisted of several stops allowing students to connect with several Dallas Interior Design professionals and program alumni, see multiple active design projects, and tour both showrooms and firms.
On the first day of the trip, the Interior Design seniors visited the SMU Cox School of Business Construction Site, where they received a presentation on the construction and design process for the project from the Rogers-O’Brien Construction and GFF design teams. Students then toured Lincoln Centre with Entos Design, a Dallas based design firm specializing in commercial spaces.
The interior design students.
The students also attended a reception at Concept Surfaces, a supplier of hard-surface materials, where they met with OU alumnus Khoi Hoang and other University of Oklahoma alumni currently working at Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm. The first day of the trip was concluded by a lighting tour of Factory Six03 by Jacob Gerber, OU alum and full-time partner with Essential Light Design Studio.
The next day students toured the Haworth showroom with OU alumnus Sara Hooker, Account Director for FMG, where they learned about the latest design trends with workplace office furniture. Hosted by designers Khoi Hoang and Taylor Rodgers, they also toured the Thompson Coe Litigation Firm, a project of Gensler.
Interior Design students learn about Haworth Furniture.
The seniors were hosted by Corgan Design Firm, where OU alumna and Corgan Vice President Lauren Whitney gave them a tour of the firm and answered questions. The two-day trip was ended with a tour of Verozza and Accord’s lighting showrooms by Jacob Gerber.
Field trips like this one allow Gibbs students to learn about their career options after graduation as well as network with alumni and other professionals. The Interior Design program would like to thank the many hosts that made this trip possible, including Corgan, Entos Design, Essential Light Design Studio, Gensler, Concept Surfaces, Furniture Marketing Group, Haworth, and Texas Lighting Solutions. Also, they would like to extend a thank you to the OU Interior Design Professional Advisory Board for helping organize and support this trip.
View additional photos from the trip in the gallery below.
Robert L. Wesley, a pioneering architect and beloved mentor, has died at age 88. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Wesley joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1964 and became the firm's first Black partner in 1984. Throughout his career, he contributed to significant architectural projects while maintaining a strong commitment to civic engagement and professional mentorship.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to celebrate a series of recent accomplishments by Dr. Jim Collard, Professor of Practice in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design, whose work continues to shape conversations around Indigenous economic development nationally and internationally.
University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture Dean Hans E. [PA1.1]Butzer returned to one of his most significant works on December 15, joining survivors and past and present board members for the groundbreaking of a $15.8 million expansion of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
