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.
Architecture Design Studio students at the Visual Arts exhibition
Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts introduced an architectural studio framework that positioned the existing building as both subject and catalyst for design education. Rather than beginning with a blank canvas, students were immersed in the history, materiality, and lived realities of the building, critically analyzing it architecturally, functionally, and spatially before moving into the design phase. Engaging with the building and its users, which was especially meaningful since those users were their own art school contemporaries, provided a rich springboard for design work. By situating their projects within the constraints and opportunities of an existing structure, students broke free of stylistic dependencies formed in earlier studios, arriving instead at unexpected and surprising design solutions.
Projects exhibited at Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Dr. Tammy McCuen, Robert E. Busch Professor of Construction Science, on beginning her term as president of the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC), an international organization dedicated to advancing construction education through teaching, research and service.
Following years of contributions to the College’s research and strategic initiatives, Gibbs College shares that Associate Dean for Research and External Engagement Angela M. Person, PhD, will step down from her position at Gibbs College as she moves to Tucson with her family, effective June 30, 2026.
On April 24, 2026, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture hosted its annual Graduate Student Showcase, a celebration of research, design innovation, and creative exploration across all graduate programs within the College.
