Jason O’Rear, a Bay-Area, California-native, traveled to OU to pursue a degree in architecture. While there, he gained more than just an education – he met mentors, formed friendships, and found family –all lasting and important parts of his life today. After a successful career as an architect for over a decade, Jason now uses his understanding of architecture and space to serve him in his flourishing role as an architectural photographer at his own studio. His work has been featured in notable publications including Architectural Record, Architectural Digest, Interior Design Magazine, Dezeen, and more!
Jason is also married to a Gibbs College alumni, Melissa (Tucker) O’Rear, an Interior Designer with Gensler. Today they live San Francisco with their two sons.
The entrance to Salesforce Tower. Photograph by Jason O'Rear.
Architecture represented a perfect blend of the artistic side of things with something that was also technical and structured. I enjoyed the rigor of the program, and learning the history and intent behind the purpose of architecture/design.
This was a great five years for me. I learned so much, and also got to travel, doing two stints abroad (New Zealand and Prague). All my classmates came from all over, but we were all working towards the same thing. This program fostered a lot of comradery between people, and even though after graduation we went our own ways and did our own thing, we remained in touch and I’m still friends with most of those people today.
Salesforce Tower and the San Francisco skyline. Photograph by Jason O'Rear.
After I finished at OU, I got an internship at Cesar Pelli’s office in New Haven, CT that was a very enriching experience. I went on to go to grad school at Columbia University, and then practiced as an architect in San Francisco for 10 years. I knew how to use a camera, so on the side I was doing landscape photography, it was my outlet and hobby and never thought about blending them together. I ended up with an opportunity to do some projects with a paid commission, and I thought I would just do it to pay off some grad school debt, but then I did a few more and it turned into a real side gig.
When I got the opportunity to do the Salesforce tower here in San Francisco, that was a very important project and part of being in the right place at the right time. Photographing it was like things coming full circle for me. The scale of that project was huge, and it was a fun, urban, adventure. The rawness of the urban landscape, it fueled something, and it was fun to get outside and start to understand the city you live in on a different level. That was really the beginning of my new career. I ran full steam ahead after that project.
All of my architecture education and experience as an architect has informed my work now, I look at projects differently because of my background.
One of the best parts of the program was getting to interact with some of the visiting critics like David Lewis from LTL Architects. They add a depth to the program, being practicing artists and designers, and to have them come and spend time with us was very insightful. They also helped many of us form connections that have shaped our careers.
Salesforce Tower. Photograph by Jason O'Rear.
Everything I’ve mentioned, but the biggest takeaway was the friendships with staff and other students. I have many friends today who are alumni and on the board, which talks to the strength of the program. We still love to visit Oklahoma, and I watch all the OU games with my kids.
Stay passionate – regardless of whatever your interest is, it doesn’t have to be practicing architecture, it could be anything. There’s so many avenues that can use this knowledge and experience. Stay passionate, ambitious, and curious, look for opportunities!
Content provided by The Division of Architecture Professional Advisory Board (PAB) .
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.
