The University of Oklahoma
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture
April 2 - 6, 2018

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Oculus  is an e-newsletter that is distributed by the OU Gibbs College of Architecture at the beginning of each week during the fall and spring semesters. It features news about student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments, as well as events that may be of interest to our community. Please share your news and events by noon each Friday to be considered for the following week's issue of Oculus .
Featured News
Alumni Honored by AIA Dallas During CELEBRATE ARCHITECTURE 2018

On March 29, AIA Dallas hono red local, state, and national Honor Award recipients during their CELEBRATE ARCHITECTURE event. OU College of Architecture alumnus Jerry Merriman's firm, Merriman Anderson Architects, was honored with the AIA Dallas Firm Award. Alumnus  Joe Buskuhl , FAIA, principal emeritus and former president of HKS, was honored with a lifetime achievement award.  Congratulations, Jerry and Joe!

Alumni, share your news! If you are an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture, please click here to share your successes, accolades, and exciting projects.
Events
Editor of the Journal of Living Architecture to Lecture on Apr. 3

Dr. Reid Coffman helped establish a global understanding of green roofs as constructed urban ecosystems. Currently, he is the Editor of the Journal of Living Architecture, Chair of the International Research Committee on Living Architecture (GRHC) and Director of the Novel Ecology Design Lab (NEDLab) at Kent State where he is an Associate Professor. His lecture at the Gibbs College of Architecture will focus on the rise of living architecture.
  • When: Tues., Apr. 3, 4 p.m.
  • Where: Gould Hall, Rm. 395
To request accommodations, please contact Bret Betnar ([email protected]).
BIM/VIZ Lab to Hold Two Open Houses in April

The Kenneth F. Robson Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Visualization Lab is holding  two open houses in April. Please join Professor Tammy McCuen to learn about one of the College's amazing tech resources!
  • When: April 4, 10:30 a.m. AND April 5, 9:30 a.m.
  • Where: Gould Hall, Rm. B7
For more information, contact Professor McCuen ([email protected]).
Dean Butzer to Host Spring 2018 Student Town Hall - FREE PIZZA!

Join Gibbs College of Architecture Dean Hans Butzer to share your feedback about your experiences as a student in the college! Lunch will be provided.
  • When: Weds., Apr. 11, 12 p.m.
  • Where: Gould Hall Buskuhl Gallery
To request accommodations, contact Angela Person ([email protected]).
Save these dates for the remaining lectures in the Gibbs College of Architecture Spring 2018 Lecture Series! All events will be held in the Buskuhl Gallery in Gould Hall unless otherwise noted.

April 3
4:00 pm
REID COFFMAN
Editor,  Journal of Living Architecture
Associate Professor, Kent State (more info)
April 11
1:30 pm
KAY BEA JONES
Professor, Architecture, The Ohio State ( more info )

April 12
5:00 pm
TRACY FANARA
Staff Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory ( more info)

April 13
4:30 pm
WAYNE LEE
Architect and Founder, Boulder Associates ( more info)

April 18
4:30 pm
STATE OF SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION PANEL
Discussion panel ho sted by OU Green Week, focused on evaluating OU's environmental priorities ( more info )

April 19
4:00 pm
STEPHANIE PINCETL
Founding Director, California Center for Sustainable Communities at the University of California - Los Angeles ( more info)

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Angela Person ([email protected]).

This series is made possible, in part, with funding from the Bruce Goff Chair of Creative Architecture and RTA Architects, as well as additional partners including the OU Honors College, OU Center for Peace and Development, OU College of International Studies, and OU Earth Month participants.
News
Staff Member Honored with Katie Pursley Superior Performance Award

Congratulations to our very own project management specialist, Jerry Puckett, for being honored with the 2018 Katie Pursley Superior Performance Award from The University of Oklahoma Organizational Staff Council! Recipients of the award have shown outstanding job performance, dedication to students and service to the University. At the College, we know Jerry is someone we can always count on to make things happen! Thanks for everything you do, Jerry!

Join us in honoring Jerry's recognition at the Staff Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at 11 a.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union Ballroom.
Students Implement Tactical Urbanism Demonstrations in Blanchard

Seventeen students in the Environmental Design Practicum course implemented tactical urbanism demonstrations of downtown improvements in Blanchard, as part of a partnership between the City of Blanchard, Oklahoma Municipal League, and Institute for Quality Communities. The students spent several weeks interviewing city leaders and stakeholders, devising projects, and building and testing the results. The Oklahoma Municipal League featured a video about this project on its YouTube channel.

For more information about this project, click here.
Architecture Faculty Member Shares CoA sOUnd Lab at Clemson Univ.

Associate professor of Architecture Daniel Butko recently visited Clemson University's Architecture Center in Charleston, SC, during the Community Built Association Conference and Boot Camp. Butko was invited to present the OU CoA sOUnd lab and lecture on architectural acoustics while collaborating with faculty, students, and community members on acoustical baffle and shell research. Outcomes align with current Gould Hall Gallery research and projected continuation with Clemson faculty in South Carolina and Italy.

For more information about the CoA sOUnd Lab, contact Daniel Butko ( [email protected]).
Students to Present During Undergraduate Research Day

Architecture students Collin Abdallah and Westin Dinnes will be presenting their research during Undergraduate Research Day on Saturday, April 7th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Thurman White Forum Building. Collin will present "Results from the Summer Sound Lab: Exploring Acoustical Options for a Multiuse Space on Campus," which he worked with associate professor Daniel Butko, and Westin will present "COMPetitions Project" which he is working with associate professor Anthony Cricchio. All are welcome.

For more information about Undergraduate Research Day, click here.
Architecture Faculty Member Receives Alternative Textbook Grant

Join us in congratulating associate professor of Architecture Marjorie Callahan for receiving a $1,500 Alternative Textbook Grant from OU Libraries to reduce the textbook costs for architecture students enrolled in courses 4923 and 5923, "Methods IX: Entrepreneurial Architect and Leadership." Callahan will work with the University Libraries Open Educational Resources Office to find quality open access materials for the course. Thank you, Marjorie, for  working to reduce students' financial burdens!

To learn more about developing alternative textbooks at OU, click here.
Featured Local and On-campus Events and Resources
Above: Open Streets Norman 2017.
Volunteers Needed for "Open Streets Norman" Event

The Cleveland County Health Department seeks volunteers for "Open Streets Norman," which will be held on April 15, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Open Streets Norman will open up a half-mile stretch of Webster and Asp Avenues, connecting Downtown to Campus Corner for all to enjoy.

Open Streets is a global movement showcasing the role of streets as public spaces by closing them to motorized traffic and opening them up to walking, biking, and physical activity.
    
If you would volunteer during "Open Streets Norman," sign up here by Sat., April 7.
AIA Central Oklahoma to host 17th Annual Architectural Tour on Apr. 14

The American Institute of Architects Central Oklahoma Chapter will host the 17th annual Architectural Tour on Saturday, April 14, 2018 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.  This self-guided tour includes eight architectural destinations such as residential homes and commercial buildings that allow participants to experience great architectural design in Oklahoma City.

To learn more about the tour or to purchase tickets, click here.
Raise Money Through OU'S Official Crowdfunding Platform!

You're invited to turn your dream into a reality using the latest tool for raising money at the University of Oklahoma. THOUSANDS STRONG is OU's Official Crowdfunding Platform for OU-based student, faculty, and staff projects.

Learn more about Thousands Strong here.
Share your news and events with us!
Whether you are an OU Gibbs College of Architecture alumnus, student, faculty or staff member, we want to know about your news and events!

To share your news for the next issue of  Oculus, the OU College of Architecture newsletter, or to request publicity support for an upcoming event, please complete the form found  here.
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