Professors of Interior Design Dr. Suchismita Bhattacharjee and Dr. Yeji Yi and graduate student Azra Fific presented at the I.D.E.A. symposium, hosted by OU’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
This event was created to highlight inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (I.D.E.A.) across OU’s campus and within the local community. The symposium featured a variety of interactive workshops and presentations that explored the intersections of I.D.E.A. in higher education.
Dr. Bhattacharjee and Dr. Yi presented their teaching experience, “Universal Design in Architecture,” regarding how the built environment can be inclusively and universally designed to support diverse groups of people. Fific presented her project “Refugees and Placemaking: Healing Trauma Through Interior Design.” In her presentation, Fific investigated placemaking and interior design strategies to help the Afghan refugee community heal trauma and assimilate to Oklahoma City.
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.
