The Environmental Design Research Association’s 49th annual conference was held in Oklahoma City this summer. The Gibbs College of Architecture’s own Associate Professor Dave Boeck co-organized this massive effort, which brought more than 350 researchers and practitioners from over 20 countries together to discuss issues of social equity. Below, Boeck shares some of his favorite moments from the conference:
“Well EDRA 49 is history: just great memories in the minds of the 350 or so attendees of this great conference in OKC.”
Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma group drumming.
“The opening drumming was provided by a multi-tribal drumming group from OU [Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma].”
Dan Boren.
“Dan Boren gave insight into tribal goals for economic development and how they approach it.”
Mick Cornett and G.T. Bynum.
“Mick Cornett and G.T. Bynum discussed how Oklahoma City and Tulsa are approaching developing social equity.”
Vernice Miller-Travis.
“Keynote Vernice Miller-Travis helped attendees see the need to be persistent in working for social equity where ever it is missing. She shared an inspiring story about working with a Black community in North Carolina to restore a historic park. Our College’s own Sarah Little was part of the team that worked with her.
“Ron Frantz was there attending sessions and leading a walking tour of Automobile Alley and the OKC Memorial. Marjorie Callahan presented in a session with Shideh Shadravan and a grad student, as did Natalie Ellis and Sarah Little. I also want to thank Hans Butzer, Angela Person, and Stephanie Pilat, as well as one of our illustrious grads, Gina Sofola, for their unfailing support of the process of planning the conference itself!”
“The overwhelming response was that OKC is a great hidden gem that is worth visiting and coming back to! Vast, at the top of Devon Tower, and the Memorial were the overwhelming favorite places to visit. Thanks to OKC for providing a great urban backdrop for this conference titled, ‘Social Equity By Design: Designing Connections Through Community!'”
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates Thinh "Henry" Duong, a master's student in the Division of Interior Design, for earning first place in the 2026 Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition.
Gibbs College of Architecture Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) Director and Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design (PLAD) faculty member Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., recently published a new book, Collective Yearning: Black Women Artists from the Zimmerli Art Museum.
In May, students from the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture's Architecture, Environmental Design, and Interior Design programs participated in an intensive five-day Studio in Residence at Taliesin West, the iconic winter home and desert laboratory of Frank Lloyd Wright.
