OSU School of Architecture Newsletter Fall 2023 by architecture-okstate

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

The vision of the School of Architecture is to empower students to make creative contributions in the cause of architecture. The mission of the School of Architecture is to cultivate a collaborative learning community focused upon critical thinking and ethical responsibility. We embrace established fundamentals and encourage the exploration of emerging innovations in design and technology.

Reflections Vol. XIII Fall 2023

REFLECTIONS Hello! The Fall 2023 semester is complete, and it has been a good year for the School of Architecture, but one that saw changes in our programs. Long-time Professor and Head of the School of Architecture, Suzanne Bilbeisi, along with Professor Moh Bilbeisi, retired in May after a combined 55 years of teaching here at Oklahoma State University; they are dearly missed. Additionally, two other faculty members, Awilda Rodriguez Carrion and Paolo Sanza, decided to move on to other opportunities at the end of 2023. Our faculty search process is already well underway, and we will keep you updated on our progress. The search for the new Head of the School of Architecture is scheduled to take place during the 202425 academic year. We are excited about this opportunity to continue to grow our programs by bringing in fresh perspectives and new expertise through new hires. The past summer and fall semesters have been prosperous for our students, and they have been busy with their courses and with their travel overseas. This was the second year back for our study abroad program, and we took two groups of students—one to Europe and one to southeast Asia—with great success. Enjoy the articles and updates in this newsletter. Please stay in touch with what is happening at the School of Architecture and let us know what you are up to. We always want to tell the world about the good things both our students and alumni are doing.

John Phillips, P.E. Professor and Interim Head School of Architecture john.j.phillips@okstate.edu

Website: https://ceat.okstate.edu/arch/ Facebook: Oklahoma State University School of Architecture Instagram: @OkStateArch

THANK YOU, 2023 FRIENDS! In a recap of the gifts received during 2023, the following loyal and true alumni have provided their support for the School of Architecture, joining the Friends of the School of Architecture.

$25,000+ CORINTHIAN LEVEL

$5000+ IONIC LEVEL

Architects Collective, with Larry & Linda Kester Randy & Valda Kreie Studio Architecture, LLC Exxon Mobil Foundation & Renaissance Charitable Foundation, with Mallory Buckley Patti & Bill Lundeen Belinda & Jim Hasenbeck Harris Foundation, with Bill & Mindy Silk Julie & Tony Blatt Cyntergy AEC LLC

Alpha Consulting Engineers, with Thom Campbell Dean Anderson Paige Anderson Jerry & Renee Conduff Ken & Katherine Corbin Mike & Sharon Damore Fidelity Foundation FSB Architects & Engineers Brad Gaskins Virginia & Jim Hart Sterling Little David & Kerri Powell Kevin Snowden Sherri Snowden Voelkel W&W | AFCO Steel Wallace Design Collective

Please join your fellow alumni in becoming a Friend of the School of Architecture and show your support of our students and programs this coming academic year. Thank you!

$1000+ DORIC LEVEL ACME Brick AIA Oklahoma Edward & Lauren Bond Suzanne & Dallas Branch Coreslab Structures, Inc. Corgan Trust Dewberry Architects Aubree Diebolt Jeanette & Rand Elliott Susan & Dan Evans Chere & Kevin Fergerson First Commercial Management Stephen & Jane Ford GH2 Architects Briar & Patrick Glenn Graham Architects

LA Fuess Partners Hui Min & Ko Makabe Mass Architects Linda & Phil McCurdy Phyllis & Steve O’Hara Oklahoma City Section Anna & Randy Parks Richards & Associates Ryan & Julie Grace Alice Ririe Valerie & Paul Rose Mandy & Bill Seider Sarah & David Timberlake University of Tulsa Leesha & Eric Vogt Keith & Katherine Yancey

ALUMNI ENDOWMENTS

Professor Suzanne Bilbeisi, in her role as Head of the School of Architecture over the past seven years, worked with many alumni to establish a permanent legacy at the School of Architecture through the vehicle of an endowed fund. For those who don’t know what an endowed fund is, it is simply a fund that is established with the OSU Foundation. The fund retains the base principal while annually providing 4.25% of return to support the School of Architecture, in perpetuity. The fund never expires and never “runs out” of money. Donors can continue to add to the principal as well, thereby increasing the annual program support the fund provides. And anyone can contribute to any fund, at any time. Endowed funds are established with a funding agreement created with the OSU Foundation. The agreement must note three things: • The exact name the donor wishes the fund to have • The purpose of the fund (ie, for student scholarships, study abroad, etc.) • The criteria that should guide the use of the fund By OSU Foundation requirements, a minimum threshold of $25,000 is required to establish an endowed fund. This sum can be provided up front or over a period of five years. Gifts made to the OSU Foundation, by either an individual or a company, can have tax benefits; the OSUF is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization.

A STUDENT WITH COMPUTER TROUBLE?... ALUMNI TO THE RESCUE! In 2022, the presidents of AIAS and AEI observed a classmate’s struggle when their computer crashed the night before a project was due. They wanted to help and suggested fundraising for a special stipend program to be offered to students entering Professional School. The School of Architecture reached out to alumni, and the funds from this initial effort continue to help our students. This semester six students were awarded assistance to purchase new computers! THANK YOU to our sponsors: Thom Campbell & Alpha Consulting Engineers, Steve Ford, Sterling Little, John Meek, and Bob Zahl.

Since the start of 2023, 14 new funds have been established at the School of Architecture to support the students and/or the work of the faculty - WOW!!! These new funds include:

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Studio Architecture Endowed Scholarship (26-47110)

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David A. Hanser European Study Abroad Program Fund (26-66410)

• • •

Virginia & Jim Hart Endowed Scholarship (26-67010)

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FSB Architects & Engineers Endowment (26-71810)

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Jerry & Renee Conduff Travel Experience Endowed Program Support Fund (26-71840)

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Jim & Belinda Hasenbeck Endowed Scholarship (26-71860)

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M. Bradley Gaskins Endowed Scholarship (26-87710)

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Piper’s Travel Study Endowed Scholarship (26-99860)

Mervin L. Snowden Memorial Endowed Scholarship (26-49020)

Wallace Design Collective Endowment (26-67730) Elliott D. Evans Memorial Endowed Scholarship (26-67910) Anthony J. Blatt & Julie Blatt Family Endowed Scholarship (26-71820)

Randy & Valda Kreie Endowed Scholarship (26-89310) Cyntergy/Moh & Suzanne Bilbeisi Endowed Scholarship (26-96830)

Thanks so much for the support you give to our program and students. We could not be the success we are without the generous contributions of our supporters. If you would like to learn more about developing an endowed fund or estate plan with the OSU School of Architecture, please contact our OSU Foundation liaison Jill Johnson at jjohnson@osugiving.com. Thank you!

IMMERSIVE JOURNALING Nathan Richardson Professor of Architecture Jerry Stivers Associate Professor of Architecture Moh’d Bilbeisi Professor Emeritus of Archtecture This past summer, Professors Stivers, Richardson, and Bilbeisi traveled with twenty-eight students on the Europe Program, traveling to Italy, France, and The Netherlands. Most of coursework this year consisted of research, travel documentation, sketching, and writing. As usual, the students displayed their work at the School of Architecture in a gallery exhibition. While students were allowed and encouraged to use mixed media to document their experience, everyone created two travel journals as an essential aspect of their work. This year, students worked almost exclusively in accordionstyle journals allowing them to view and display a sequence of studies at variable length and intensity. What follows are a few student reflections on the journaling experience from the summer 2023 Europe Program. It reveals a positive relationship between creative expectations and firsthand observations through the immersive act of journaling, writing, and sketching. “When I come back from studying abroad, I hope to have learned about the cultures we visit, the languages, the architecture, and to have developed my sketching and watercolor skills. Twenty years from now I know that if I didn’t take the opportunity to go on this trip, I would regret it. Doing my future self a favor, because I’m sure I’ll have more to worry about, I want to go on this trip and learn as much as I can, to make me a better student, architect, and person.” - Abigail Richardson “One of the primary reasons I wanted to study abroad was to experience another culture firsthand. To be able to be immersed in the community and traditions. Additionally, as an architecture student I want to be able to learn from professors and challenge my abilities to sketch.” - Emily Smith

◄ Professor Moh and students sketching during the Europe Program.

“I will try to tackle a technique of storytelling in my journal that, hopefully, narrates the journey of our trip, and the stories behind the places we visit. History is important to me, and I believe each building has its own story to tell through unique diagrams, sketches, and journal entries.” - Aaron Wagnitz “Growing up, I have always wanted to draw. I specifically say draw because I never really did much sketching. I would sit down to make an actual drawing for a long period of time rather than quick gesture type sketches. So, my goal is to be less worried about making mistakes within my sketching on this trip. I want to look more towards the overall form and lighting and shading rather than details.” - Kristie Ward Travel study as in the Europe Program is a unique opportunity to study architecture and place through an immersive experience. It is a deep and collaborative learning opportunity that has become an indispensable component of architectural education.

► Exhibition of student travel journals in the SOA Gallery.

URBAN STUDIO IN BOSTON

Nathan Richardson Professor of Architecture Blake Mitchell Assistant Professor of Architecture During the fall semester of Urban Studio, students presented design proposals for mixed-use air-rights development over I-90 in Boston. Teams of 4-5 students each studied different sites along a nearly three-mile corridor running through central Boston. The studio visited Boston thanks to the generous support and contributions of Randy and Valda Kreie. During the visit in October, students met with designers, planners, and city leaders to present and receive feedback on their initial design proposals. The studio visited with Tim Love and Cyrus Dahmubed at Utile; Lauren Harness, Brian Sandford, and others at MASS Design Group; and Randy Kreie and Kenneth Hartfiel at DiMella Shaffer. The studio also toured the Boston Planning and Development Agency and conducted site research and immersive study of Boston. Prior to the mixed-use projects in Boston, each team studied urban conditions through a theoretical redesign of the boardgame Monopoly. This project helped students recalibrate their design thinking to issues that transcend a particular building. It allowed students to research and develop creative ideas for culture, climate, property, and an urban economy—all in a creative project that centers on collaborative strategy and interpersonal experience. At the conclusion of the semester, teams presented their design proposals in images, models, and a gallery exhibition at the School of Architecture. As part of that exhibition, the 2023 Baumiller Prize was considered and awarded. Team Ctl+Alt+Dft (Isaac McCalip, Adam Romero, Hank Traxel, Hulen Howard, and Aaron Wagnitz) was awarded the Baumiller Prize, while two Honorable Mentions were recognized for Fifth Harmony (Ally Burchett, Molly Hoback, Hannah Knam, Reem Mansy, and Olivia Morgan) and LMNSS (Seth Gunkel, Natalie Haggard, Madison Harper, Sarah Rose, and Liam Vennerholm). The studio produced fantastic work this semester with a pleasant personality—something Professor Baumiller encouraged through his teaching—to be brave in design, and never forget to play.

► (top) Students during their visit to Boston. (bottom, left) Exhibition of student-designed board games. (bottom, right) Student exhibition of design work in the SOA Gallery.

FROM MATERIAL TO BUILDING Keith Peiffer Assistant Professor of Architecture Jerry Stivers Associate Professor of Architecture Jay Yowell Assistant Professor of Architecture Although the switch in emphasis from analog to digital tools over the last 20 years is obvious, we do not always adjust our pedagogical strategies to keep pace with these changes. This two-week project, “Translations from Material to Building,” was designed to acknowledge how the changes in our tools impacts the educational process of training future architects and help students develop a stronger understanding of scale. Our third-year students explored issues of scale by investigating a common building material: acoustic ceiling panel, carpet tile, or rubber wall base donated by local product representatives from Armstrong and Interface. Using their assigned material, each student worked through a series of steps. First, they documented the material at full-scale using photography. Next, the students used a scaled down version of their material (corrugated cardboard for the acoustic ceiling panel, chipboard for the carpet tile, and heavy paper for the vinyl wall base) to create a three-dimensional study model that has architectural qualities – space, boundary, enclosure, etc. The students then built a “full-scale” digital model of their study model in Rhino. Once the digital model was completed, they explored its potential for architectural space by scaling it up to building size. In the final step, the students worked directly on their actual material sample to build a final version of their model. This speculative project embraced a material’s specific modularity, constraints, and possibilities for joints and connections. Throughout the project, the students were only allowed a specific size of material for the study and final models. They were also not permitted to add any other materials except fasteners to make connections. Working as a collective research laboratory, the students began to understand limitations for their materials and best practices for gluing, attaching, cutting, etc. Through working with modularity and constraints, the studio investigated scale and produced unexpected results, discovering new potential for architectural form, space, and detail.

◄ (top) Exhibition of student work in the SOA Gallery. (bottom) Selections of final models using the selected building material.

SYMBIOTIC STUDIO Jay Yowell Assistant Professor of Architecture Biomimicry+Architecture (B+A) has been taught as an elective lecture course for six years. In the class, the students research an architectural problem they are interested in solving. Once the problem is clearly defined, the students then explore how nature solves the problem. The final step is to propose an architectural solution that solves the original problem. The students were free to explore any architectural problem they were interested in researching. These issues ranged from interior openings, lighting, and exterior facades, to urban issues and traffic congestion. The fall 2023 semester saw an increase in enrollment (29 students), so it was decided to focus on building skins to help in directed feedback and presentations. Building skins allowed students to still have a variety of problems to solve. They explored structure to skin relationship, insulation, waterproofing, ventilation, daylighting and materials. Another change was to emphasize the process of the research and exploration of ideas instead of focusing on singular design solutions. Instead of a final poster presentation, each student created a booklet recording their process and exploration. This was also done last semester and was a successful method to show the breadth of the students’ work over the entire semester. To add one more innovation, we used eight of the B+A class building skins for a collaboration with students in the 3116 studio, which I taught with professors Peiffer and Stivers. As coordinator, Professor Peiffer suggested integrating the B+A work into the last project for the studio. This collaboration required the student work in B+A to progress to a point where the studio could understand the proposed biomimetic building skins. Each student was then assigned one skin option to incorporate into their studio project, which led to many intriguing studio solutions. Students from both classes relayed how much they enjoyed this overlap of studio and lecture projects, and it was interesting to see how the studio students adapted and changed the B+A students’ work. I look forward to future opportunities to explore symbiotic relationships between different coursework. ► (top and middle) Examples of design work utilizing skin systems from B+A class. (bottom) Details of the “fish gill” and “snail shell” skin systems developed by the B+A class studio.

FALL 2023 FACULTY & STAFF

CEAT HALL OF FAME:

DUANE MASS Duane Mass is the founder and president of Mass Architects. A 1989 graduate of the School of Architecture (Bachelor of Architecture), Duanne founded his architecture firm with a determination to provide customer service and attention to detail. His passion for the built environment remains as relevant today as when he started his practice over 20 years ago. Duanne has been heavily involved in rural health care facilities, working with local health professionals to provide environments to improve the health of all Oklahomans. Additionally, he and his firm have carried out many projects reinvigorating the infrastructure of small airports across the state. He has extensively offered his professional service to charitable foundations and other institutions benefiting a wide array of groups within the state. Duanne not only designs the facilities, but also helps the organizations fundraise to get them built. Duanne was raised in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, on a family ranch, in a community that was settled at the end of the 19th century by Italian and other immigrant groups. Because of this, Mass grew up hearing Italian, Polish, Czech and Russian. He calls his hometown “the most atypical Oklahoma small town.” As a young man, Duanne worked at construction sites and often interacted with the project architects. He remembers that one architect told him he was “in the wrong business” and that the only architecture school worth talking to within several hundred miles was OSU. That conversation led to his decision to attend OSU and study architecture. Duanne met his wife, Robin Troy, while at Oklahoma State University. They went on to have one son and two daughters: Frank, who also graduated from CEAT; Jessica, who graduated from OSU’s College of Human Sciences; and Rachel, who graduated from the University of Arkansas. Duanne remains highly involved with OSU’s School of Architecture, serving on the advisory board and offering his observations

and financial support. He enjoys staying connected to his alma mater and relishes the fact that today’s generation is working just as hard as he did for the degree. Recently, Duanne and his wife established a funded scholarship endowment aimed at assisting non-traditional students who wish to study architecture abroad — something he was unable to do as a student. “Students at CEAT should understand that it is our mission to serve. What you build or create will serve for the betterment of all of us or it is not worth doing,” Duanne said. “Most of all, be respectful to your work partners and make working with you something that becomes the best part of their day.”

▼ Duane Mass giving desk crits during a visit to our third-year design studio this fall.

FACULTY FOCUS:

DR. BODHI HAJRA Dr. Bodhi Hajra is one of the newest faculty members in Architectural Engineering (AE) at the School of Architecture (SOA). Following his bachelor’s and master’s degree in structural engineering from India, Dr. Hajra completed his PhD in Building Engineering from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. Following his PhD, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Western University, Canada, and as a Research Scientist at Florida International University, Miami, before moving back to Canada to join the industry. Prior to joining Oklahoma State University in the fall of 2023, he lived in Vancouver, working as a façade structural engineer for RDH Building Science – a Canadian firm with multiple locations across the US and Canada. During his time in the industry, his interest in building façade design grew, leading him to return to academia. His areas of interest include wind engineering, façade engineering, and building science. As a current AE faculty, he teaches Steel III, Analysis I, Statics, and Timber structures. Based on his industry experience, he recently developed a new course titled ‘Façade Design’ which will be offered in the spring of 2024. Through this course, he aims to educate students about façade design practices in the industry, which he believes will greatly benefit students. Although his research interests are primarily on wind-induced damage of building components including facades, more recently he has been researching the influence of ‘façade design’ education on architecture and AE students. He is excited to present his findings in the summer of 2024 at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) conference at Portland, Oregon. Outside of work, Dr. Hajra likes watching movies, drinking coffee, going out for a stroll, and doing yoga to get some peace of mind!

◄ Dr. Hajra lecturing during his Timber / Masonry class.

CEAT HALL OF FAME:

STEVE FORD Steve Ford attended OSU from 1965 to 1970 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. He comes from a family of OSU graduates. From a young age, Ford’s parents took him and his brothers to OSU homecoming events. Those early experiences led him to an expectation that he was going to college and the understanding that he would attend the university for his undergraduate studies. Ford and his wife, Jane, carried on the same tradition with their two girls, who both attended OSU. After graduating from OSU, Ford went to the University of Texas at Austin where he obtained his Master of Science and doctoral degrees in Civil Engineering. During that time, he was a research assistant at the University of Texas Balcones Research Center. His research included physical testing and analytically modeling the largest assemblage of concrete beams and columns that had been tested up to that time. The results of the research can be found in four international award-winning papers and influenced changes to the American Concrete Institute Building Code. During his time at OSU, Ford met two friends who became very influential in his life: Jerry Keylon, P.E. and Bob Zahl, P.E. Keylon and Ford lived together in the Kerr dormitory. The two and their wives have now been friends for over 55 years, and both had two daughters who attended OSU. Zahl and Ford met in their first architectural design class in the curriculum. Zahl studied architectural design while Ford studied architectural engineering. After taking a structural design class together, Ford convinced Zahl to take a second structural engineering class that was not required for Zahl’s architectural design curriculum. That decision changed the career path for Zahl and the two would ultimately become co-owners of the ZahlFord Structural Consultants. After his time at UT, Ford went on to become a faculty member at the University of Oklahoma School of Civil and Environmental

Engineering (1976-1978), then worked for a large structural consulting firm in Dallas until 1980. At this time, Zahl reached out to him about working together and Zahl-Ford Structural Consultants was born. That partnership evolved into Zahl-Ford Inc. and is now known as ZFI Engineering. The firm’s work has been primarily in the design of structural systems for new/renovated buildings and in structural assessments/investigations. Ford served as a key leader of Zahl-Ford Inc. for 37 years. “Regarding the technical side of engineering, develop an exceptional understanding of engineering fundamentals. Many changes, including some very large ones, will occur during your professional lifetime,” Steve said. “As those changes occur, an understanding of the implications of those changes will require an expertise in engineering fundamentals and structural behavior.”

Congratulations to all of the CEAT Hall of Fame Inductees for 2023, and in particular, our School of Architecture graduates Duanne Mass and Steve Ford. ▲ Steve Ford giving a presentation to the Steel III class this fall.

SABBATICAL Seung Ra Professor of Architecture Following his promotion to Full Professor, Seung Ra took a sabbatical leave in Seoul, Korea during the Fall of 2023. Professor Ra was granted a visiting professorship at the Korea National University of Arts School of Visual Arts. At KUNA, he taught a unique research studio which included international students from Brazil, France, and Germany. During his visit, he also conducted design workshops for the general student body, as well as shared his experiences in architectural education at OSU School of Architecture. His lectures at KUNA included his research emphasis on urban design, and an exploration of shared experience between Architecture and the Arts. Professor Ra was also invited to speak and provided lectures at prestigious universities and institutions in Korea, such as Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, and others. Additionally, he was invited to give a talk at One O One Architects, a respected design firm in Korea. Ra hopes that his sabbatical emphasis on research and building relationships with schools abroad will benefit OSU students and broaden our visibility overseas.

◄ Professor Ra guest lecturing while on sabbatical.

IN MEMORIAM:

WILLIAM H. HAIRE William (Bill) H. Haire was born on January 5, 1935, and graduated high school in 1953 from West High School in Columbus, Ohio. After high school, Bill attended Ohio State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1959. He continued his education at Rollins College and graduated with a Master of Science in Management in 1974. His experience in teaching in higher education spanned several institutions, including as a Lecturer at Ohio State University from 1965 to 1967, as an Assistant Professor at Ohio University from 1967 to 1968, as a Professor at Auburn University from 1969 to 1983, and as a Professor at Oklahoma State University from 1983 until he retired in 2000. Professor Haire’s noteworthy academic achievements include initiation and direction of the Architectural Management Option program at Auburn University, thought to be the first such undergraduate program in the nation (dating from 1975) and equally pioneering courses in financial management and marketing at Oklahoma State University (dating from 1983). At Oklahoma State University, Bill provided outstanding leadership and guidance to our students in the areas of financial management and architectural practice, and he was recognized as a national expert in these areas. At the School of Architecture, Professor Haire often wore a lab coat in the building and to class, and it is remembered that the coat was always spotlessly white and crisply pressed. Friendly and no-nonsense, Bill was a wonderful teacher in our program who “knew his stuff” and knew how to connect with our students. During his time as a faculty member in the School of Architecture, Bill was elevated to fellowship in the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1994. His publications, continuing education seminars, pioneering academic programs, and AIA service provided extraordinary benefits to the profession and its constituent members. The architecture profession also benefited from his service in an significant number of AIA leadership positions at all levels. This service, combined with his other contributions, produced an extremely strong and productive link between architectural practice and education, from many have benefited immensely.

In addition to his teaching and service to AIA, Bill Haire was a leading author in the field of management. As principal author of The Supplementary Education Handbook, Bill provided the national architecture Intern Development Program (IDP) with more than 150 high-quality learning activities that are comprehensive in scope, coordinated, and readily verifiable for IDP credit. Never before in IDP history has a publication embodying all these qualities been available to architecture interns. For practicing professionals, Haire authored Developing a More Profitable Architectural Practice, a handbook/ home-study course distributed nationally. Additionally, he authored significant contributions to AIA publications, The Architects’ Handbook of Professional Practice (1994 edition), Current Practices in Small Firm Management, and How to Start Your Own Firm Kit. He also shared his wide-ranging management insights by presenting many well-regarded continuing education seminars to national, state, and local groups across the country. Emeritus Faculty member William (Bill) H. Haire passed away on November 15, 2023, at the age of 88.

▲ (right) Sketch of Bill Haire by fellow faculty member George Baumiller.

NEWS School News

Faculty and Staff News

The School of Architecture hosted two Lecture Series events with distinguished guest speakers this Fall: Stuart Henderson, who specializes in woodcraft and gave woodworking workshops, and Maria Rossi of Rossi Lugo Arquitectos from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The faculty have been busy with scholarly activity this past summer and fall semester. Assistant Professor Jared Macken conducted research for the Knight Family Faculty Fellowship during the summer titled “Alternative Narratives of North American Urbanism.” In addition, he presented at the Symposium of Urban Design History and Theory conference at TU Delft, and designed and installed a research exhibition titled “The Legend of Town Center: Ordinary Form, Radical Ideologies” in the Edmon Low Library on OSU’s campus. Prof. Macken is also preparing for a course he will be teaching at the Doel Reed Center in Taos, New Mexico, summer of 2024.

— Our coffee sponsorship program, in which firms support free coffee for the students for one month, continues as a wonderful example of a partnership between the school and professional firms. The coffee cart resides just outside of the Architecture Library, which is very handy! For a modest fee, firms support the purchase of K-Cups, and our students enjoy free coffee. Our Fall 2023 coffee sponsors were Wallace Design Collective, CEC Engineers, Corgan Architects, and Gardner Architects. Thank you for your support! In exchange for the sponsorships, firms are recognized on our school’s info TVs, and can place their firm swag on the coffee cart. If your firm would like more info, email architecture@okstate.edu. —

— Associate Professor Michael Rabens presented papers at two international conferences in 2023. In April, he attended the Society of Architectural Historians Annual International Conference in Montréal, Canada, where he spoke on “The Skyscraper in Early Postcards: Reality or Illusion?” In September, Prof. Rabens spoke on the topic of “Chicago’s Prairie Avenue: From Boom to Bust and Back

Again” at the International Congress of the Associazione Italiana di Storia Urbana in Ferrara, Italy. — While visiting Egypt last summer, Dr. Khaled Mansy was invited to give a lecture and participate in a panel discussion on decarbonization as it applies to architecture at the American University at Cairo. The event was held in the Moataz Al-Alfi Hall at the end of June, and he was also invited to review the graduation capstone projects at the Arab Academy of Science and Technology. — Students and faculty got to

see the return of a familiar face during the fall semester. Emeritus Professor Dr. Tom Spector gave a guest lecture to the Management of Architectural Practice class taught by Adjunct Professor Kate Cofer. Dr. Spector talked about how ethics apply to architecture and the profession and created an open discussion about different scenarios with the students. It was great to see and catch up with Tom, and the students greatly enjoyed their interaction with him. — Associate Professors Awilda Rodriguez CarriÓn and Paolo Sanza have decided to part ways with the School of Architecture

and Oklahoma State University, effective prior to the spring 2024 semester. Their long-term commitment and influence on our programs have been instrumental in our success, and we wish them success and good luck in their future endeavors. The School of Architecture has already begun faculty searches to find two new faculty members for our programs, and we will keep you updated on our progress.

project, a soccer stadium in Milan. The project received the following jury comments: ‘La Bella Vita is a winning design showing rich graphical representation of the human experience moving throughout the stadium. The structural double system presented in the sections is compelling and thought-provoking. The feature of a green roof on top of a stadium is unique and refreshing.’ —

Student News Oklahoma State University’s Architecture student Maiten Rodriguez won second place in the 2023 AISC/ACSA Steel Design Student Competition for her design of “La Bella Vita”

Congratulations to Architecture major Carson Voelker for being recognized as one of three OSU Seniors of Significance from the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. His impressive design skills, work

▲ Rendering from Maiten’s award-winning entry for the AISC/ACSA Steel Competition.

ethic, and effort throughout his educational career in our program are recognized by this award. Well done! — Students interacted with fall semester guest lecturer Stuart Henderson who held two woodworking workshops focusing primarily on wood joinery. His visit to the school coincided with the opening of the student work exhibit from the third-year design studio titled “The Extraordinary in the Ordinary,” in which third-year student teams designed and built chairs from plywood, and in addition, designed shipping packaging for their designs. —

During the fall semester, students were able to visit W&W | AFCO Steel through a generous donation by the company. Rick Cooper, Jeff Cherry, Warren Stickrod, Vaughn House, and many others from W&W supported our students and allowed us to come to their headquarters to tour the facility. It was an unforgettable experience and a great opportunity to learn about their projects. In addition, the company sponsored the W&W | AFCO Steel competition for the fall semester in ARCH 3116. The winners of the competition include Grant Harrington (1st Place), Tim McCracken (2nd Place, Trev Golubski (3rd Place), and Josue Monterroso and Alex

▲ Third-year students during their tour of the W&W | AFCO Steel facility.

Corman (Honorable Mention). Thanks to W&W | AFCO Steel for their support and interaction with our students! — Fifth-year architecture student Liam Vennerholm exhibited his research on the “panettone,” a concrete bollard designed by renowned Italian designer Enzo Mari for Milan, Italy, in 1980. Liam discovered the panettone during his summer 2022 study abroad experience. His interactive exhibit was informativeand well received. — Additionally, fifth-year architecture student Seth Gunkel exhibited his research “Defining Corners,” showcasing his work from a sculpture class in which he constructed corners of three buildings that have shaped and defined him. He included the work of Gordon Matta-Clark as a jumping off point because of the artist’s history exploring architecture and its influence on people within it. For Seth, physical recreation took the methodical and meditative process one step further. Gaps, misalignments, and impromptu connections were embraced as part of the process. It was great seeing the results of

both students’ research in exhibition form at the School of Architecture. Alumni News In October we had our annual Alumni Tailgate. We had close to 100 alumni, students, staff, and faculty attend the event, and to top it off, the OSU Cowboys beat Kansas 39-32. It was great to see everyone. Thanks to those in attendance and we hope to see you again next fall! — Professor Moh’d Bilbeisi, who retired from OSU after 25 years of teaching, has begun a new teaching gig with the College of Architecture & Planning at Catholic University in DC. Moh taught a second- and third-year design studio in the fall and has already made his signature mark showing students how to create showstopping board compositions using both digital and analog means. Moh spends his mornings and weekends continuing to hone his remarkable skills in painting, using the scenes of DC as his inspiration. He posts often on Instagram (mbilbeisi) and Facebook (Mohd Bilbeisi), feel free to message him there!

— Professor Suzanne Bilbeisi, who also retired from OSU after 30 years of teaching, began a new career with AIA National as a Manager in the Continuing Education (CE) arm of their operations. Her role includes the review of CE content as well as serving as a liaison between the needs of professionals and the programming offered by external providers. Suzanne is excited to bring her considerable knowledge of architecture and architectural education to assist design professionals as they develop their careers. Should you wish to drop Professor Bilbeisi a note, her email remains the same: suzanne.bilbeisi@okstate.edu.

— Next summer, the national AIA Conference is scheduled to be held in Washington, DC, June 5 - 8. We will have our next alumni reception associated with the AIA Conference. Updates on this event will be shared soon. — Alumni, please keep in touch as we always want to know the good things you are up to. Email me with any contact updates, and with any comments at john.j.phillips@okstate.edu. And thanks so much for all your support in making the OSU School of Architecture a success. Go Pokes!

▲ Professor McCoy addressing our graduates during the Fall 2023 Pinning Ceremony.

▲ Congratulations and best wishes to our Fall 2023 graduates!

Newsletter designed and published by John Phillips and Keith Peiffer at the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture. Printed on Mohawk Via Light Gray with a smooth finish. Bound at the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture. Original content authors retain copyright of their creative work. ©2024 The Oklahoma State University School of Architecture Image Credits (page numbers in parentheses): Alex Campbell (33); One O One Architects (26); Keith Peiffer (14); John Phillips (3, 6, 21, 22, 25); Nathan Richardson (1, 8, 10, 11, 13); Maiten Rodriguez (32); OSU School of Architecture (29); OSU Photographer Phil Shockley (18-19, 23, 31); Chelsea Wooldridge (35, 36); & Jay Yowell (17).