Each year 600+ minority architects, urban designers, community activists and design students from across the country come together in fellowship and support for the annual National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) conference. This year, the 46th annual NOMA Conference was held in Chicago, Illinois, from October 17 – 20, 2018.
The annual student design competition is vibrant part of each NOMA conference. This year, 40 schools entered the competition. The brief called for a carbon-neutral, mixed-use and transit-oriented project to be located at the 63rd Street Metra Commuter Rail Station. Three University of Oklahoma Architecture students–Emily Homan, a graduate student, and Alecia Buffington and Kathy Lau, both undergraduate students–participated in this design competition.
The OU students’ submission was inspired by a traditional Greek stage, which is comprised of layers of drapes, fabrics, and a backdrop. The layers of their “Proscenium” proposal were designed for people to engage the site in diverse ways, creating a socially and cultural responsive platform.
The Proscenium will redefine the Woodlawn community as a new landmark by inviting tourists and local visitors. It will also bring permanent and semi-permanent residents, including working class citizens and both international and local artists, together so that the businesses and restaurants in Woodlawn will have a more diverse audience. With easy access from bus stations and bike parking from both streets, the site encourages people to walk, bike, and take public transportation to minimize vehicular traffic and therefore, reduce Chicago’s carbon footprint.
2018 NOMA Student Competition Project Vision
Homan reflected on her experience of the conference, “The main conference events were held in the Palmer House, a beautiful, historic hotel that was a perfect backdrop to the ideas shared at such an event.”
She continued, “When looking for a comfortable place to rest my feet, I accidentally walked into an empty, extravagant ballroom and stared at the ornamental decorations, slack-jawed, for a few minutes. I explored the balcony, then grabbed my fellow OU companions to share the space with.”
Students who are interested in joining the OU chapter of NOMAS, the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, should reach out to the faculty adviser, Dave Boeck (dlb@ou.edu).
Emily Homan (left) and Alecia Buffington (right) present their concept for the 2018 NOMA Student Competition in Chicago, Illinois. Team member Kathy Lau not pictured.
Feature Image: Proscenium Rendering by the 2018 OU NOMAS Competition team
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture assistant professor Amy Leveno and Mark Leveno, co-founders of OFFICIAL Design, have received a 2026 AIA Central States Region Design Award for the firm’s Granger Annex Community Center project in Garland, Texas.
Construction Industry Speaker Series welcomed Stephen Evans from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to give a lecture on better conversations and relationship building.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joseph Edgar Smay is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
