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Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce Esther Thorp, Tyler Boydstun and Chukwuma Nwokoye as the winners of the 2026 Construction Innovation Translation Hub (CIThub) Student Ideas Competition. Each student’s construction innovation was selected to receive up to $5,000 in funding following a pitch event held Sept. 10, 2026.
Chukwuma Nwokoye presents SafeRoof Clip. Photo credit: Kiel Kondrick.
Thorp proposed a hard hat designed to fit workers with long or thick hair more comfortably. Boydstun presented “Punch Monkey,” a telescoping tool that tags punch-list items while capturing voice notes and photos. Nwokoye’s “SafeRoof Clip” would help supervisors monitor when workers disconnect from existing fall-protection equipment. The three winners were among seven finalists selected from 86 submissions from students in the Construction Science Division. Emerson Blevins and team, Megan Bauknight, Aakriti Pradhan, and Noah Ennis also presented their ideas to an audience of construction industry professionals, faculty, and students. Judges evaluated the pitches for novelty, market pull, feasibility, and implementation plans.
Tyler Boydstun presents Punch Monkey project.
The CIThub helps students translate construction ideas and research into industry-ready solutions through faculty and industry guidance. Its principal investigators are Dr. Kofi Asare, Dr. Ben Bigelow, Dr. Somik Ghosh, and Professor Terry Clinefelter. CIThub extends special thanks to Professor Bryan Bloom and industry judges Greg O’Bryan of The Beck Group, Tyler Sublett of JE Dunn, and Josh Carson for supporting the competition.
Esther Thorp presents project.
CIThub is funded through the STAR-D program as part of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program (award 2331409).
Construction Industry Speaker Series welcomed Stephen Evans from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to give a lecture on better conversations and relationship building.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joseph Edgar Smay is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates three architecture students who were recognized in the 2026 AIA Dallas Student Design Awards.
