The AIA Central Oklahoma February Luncheon will take place on  Thursday, February 13th from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at OSU-OKC in the Student Center .  We are excited to announce our February Program:  Architecture and Community.   Join us to learn about two ground breaking projects in our community: Positive Tomorrows Tomorrows by MA+ Architecture and ReMerge by Rees Associates.

 

POSITIVE TOMORROWS

Photography by: Mel Willis

Positive Tomorrows is Oklahoma's only tuition-free elementary school and social service agency serving families that are experiencing homelessness. With roughly 1 in 10  students in the Oklahoma City Public School System facing homelessness, the services Positive Tomorrows provides to the community is vital to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Formerly housed in a church annex with limited space, Positive Tomorrows turned away nearly 100 students each year. They needed additional space if they were to serve more families. MA+ Architecture became involved with Positive Tomorrows in 2013 and with funding through a Building Success Campaign, in 2017, began designing a new 42,000 SF facility that would triple capacity and extend the school's student services to Early Head Start through 8th grade. The new space enhances the structure and stability Positive Tomorrows students and their families need through specialized learning spaces, upgraded safety and security measures, and additional Family Support areas.  The General Contractor for Positive Tomorrows was GE Johnson Construction.

AMY BREWER
Amy Brewer is the Director of Education at Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma's only private elementary school serving homeless children. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Classical Languages from the University of Kansas and a Master's degree in Teaching and Learning from DePaul University in Chicago. Prior to Positive Tomorrows, Ms. Brewer taught in the public schools for eleven years and currently holds certifications in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Mild to Moderate Disabilities. She serves on the Federal Reserve's Economic Advisory Council as a poverty expert and speaks nationally about Positive Tomorrows' educational philosophy, High Structure - High Love.

GARY ARMBRUSTER, AIA

Upon graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor's in Sociology and a Master of Architecture, Gary joined the MA+ team and has been leading educational facility design for over 20 years.  His love of learning and children let him to become one of only three Accredited Learning Environment Planners (ALEP) in Oklahoma. As an active member of the Christian community, Gary also spearheads design for the firm's religious and faith based projects. You've probably seen him in newspapers and magazines, as he is a national speaker on education and school security design. Gary's love of travel extends from his personal life to his professional life when he takes the design team and clients on facility tours around the country. These tours provide clients and designers the opportunity to see products and pedagogies up close and speak to those who use the space on a daily basis.  He's been married to his lovely wife, Julie, for 24 years and has three children, Nicolas, Matthew and Jacob. He enjoys vacationing with his family to Disney, Colorado and cruising to foreign ports of call.

REMERGE

 

ReMerge needed a new facility in order to continue growing their successful program: helping mothers facing incarceration transform into productive citizens. REES designed the space so as to support the journey of ReMerge participants. Our designers created a welcoming entry and chose a soft, comforting color palette. An abundance of natural light and views of nature enter the space, thanks to limited walls and doors. The building is centered around a large kitchen, open dining space, group therapy rooms and tranquil garden and meditation area. These features enhance the program's emphasis on group bonding. The General Contractor for the ReMerge project was GE Johnson Construction.  

BENJAMIN SHULLAW, AIA
Benjamin Shullaw, AIA, is an architect and visualization specialist with more than ten years of experience. His passion for art and architecture began around age 8, drawing floor plans for imaginary houses. He is exceptionally tech-savvy with expertise in the Adobe suite, Autodesk programs and rendering software including Lumion, V-Ray and SketchUp. Benjamin has greatly contributed to projects in a variety of sectors including corporate commercial, higher education, healthcare and senior living. 

 

TERRI WOODLAND
Terri Woodland is a native of Missouri where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Southwest Missouri State University.  Terri and her family moved to Oklahoma in 2000 and she received her Master's Degree from UCO in Community Counseling.  Terri practiced as a Licensed Professional Counselor for 18 years while focusing on community mental health, program development, and nonprofit management.  Terri is passionate about women's issues, especially focusing on recovery from trauma, mental health challenges, and addiction. Terri Woodland currently serves as Executive Director of the ReMerge program, a female diversion program designed to transform pregnant women and mothers facing incarceration for nonviolent charges into productive community citizens.  The goal of ReMerge is to keep mothers in the community with their children, breaking the cycle of inter generational incarceration and poverty.  Terri manages all aspects of the program, including community collaboration, programming, grant writing, budgeting and utilization of program and community resources, data reporting, HR and staff development.

 

The deadline to register is Monday, February 10th.  AIA Central Oklahoma Members attend FREE.  Nonmember cost is $25.00.

Thank you to our sponsors!

REGISTER HERE

You can find the form  HERE.  

AIA Central Oklahoma will be wrapping up our 2020 Fundraising Campaign early next month. We couldn't do all the things we do without the support of our sponsors!  

MORE INFORMATION ON SPONSORSHIP HERE

The AIA Oklahoma Conference on Architecture Planning Committee is looking for speakers for the 2020 Conference set to take place Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2 in Edmond, Oklahoma at the Edmond Conference Center. This year's theme is Detour: A Journey Off the Beaten Path.  

If you're interested in speaking, please go to www.aiaok.org for a copy of the Call for Speakers form.  

Thursday, January 30, 2020

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

1741 Wheeler Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73108

Join us to learn more about the restoration of the former Downtown Airpark's historic terminal building. Terminal Commons, opening in early 2020, will be home to an all-day cafe. The neighborhood restaurant and playground will serve as a gathering place in the Wheeler District.

REGISTER

Wylodean and Bill Saxon Director Mark White, the Museum Association, and the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture request the pleasure of your company at the opening of