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The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma (OU) is pleased to announce the launch of “The American School of Architecture: An Interactive Database,” made possible by an ‘Art Works’ grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
“The American School of Architecture: An Interactive Database” presents an interactive illustration of the history of The American School of Architecture, including hundreds of images of select architects, buildings, drawings, and photographs.
By democratizing the database and opening it to the general public, anyone who is interested in architecture or design will be able to access it freely to learn more about the American School. If you would like to share a biography, drawing or archival image with the archive, please click here.
The American School of Architecture, described as “A new school, probably the only indigenous one to the United States” by architect Donald MacDonald, is a style of architectural thought that began at the University of Oklahoma during the 1950s and ‘60s. During that time, the American School was developed and the traditional curriculum inspired by either the French Beaux-Arts or German Bauhaus schools was put to the side as pioneers of the American School such as Bruce Goff, Herb Greene, Elizabeth Bauer Mock, and other OU faculty paved the way for the American architects of today.
“The partnership between the College of Architecture and the University Libraries has created a collection that documents national and international impacts of the American School architects,” said Bridget Burke, who recently served as associate dean for ‘Special Collections’ at OU Libraries. “To receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts is an affirmation of the significance of the project, and recognizes that OU is building a resource of national importance and visibility.”
“The American School Project is documenting, preserving and sharing the history of the original approach to design that emerged at the University of Oklahoma in the mid-century,” said Stephanie Pilat, Director of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. “Support from the NEA ensures this important legacy will be accessible to a broad audience around the world.”
“Creating a digital database for the American School Project opens up the wonderful archives here at the University of Oklahoma,” said John Stewart, assistant director of OU’s Office of Digital Learning. “This grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and our digital infrastructure will allow us to share how OU shaped cultural heritage in Oklahoma and across the world.”
Other Oklahoma-based projects funded by the 2020 National Endowment for the Arts ‘Art Works’ grants are the creation of ‘A Little Peace’ by choreographer Robert Mills in honor of the Oklahoma City bombing for the Oklahoma City Ballet, the opportunity for high school students to study with art professionals during the summer at the Oklahoma Arts Institute and the support of the Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists exhibit at the Philbrook Museum of Art.
The $20,000 NEA grant was awarded to an interdisciplinary team of OU faculty and staff including Dr. Stephanie Pilat, Dr. John Stewart, and Dr. Angela Person. Dr. Luca Guido, John King, Bridget Burke, Bailey Hoffner, and Dr. Matt Stock also consulted on the project.
To learn more about the American School of Architecture at OU, click here.
A team of Construction Science and Architecture students from the Gibbs College of Architecture made their mark on the national stage this week, earning third place out of 37 universities competing at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Student Competition, held during the International Builders' Show in Orlando, February 16-18, 2026.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP to its prestigious College of Fellows—AIA’s highest membership honor—for his exceptional work and sustained contributions to architecture and society. Fellowship recognizes architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant impact at a national level. Members elevated to this distinction carry the FAIA designation after their name.
Students from the Spring 2026 Graduate 4 Architecture Design Studio, led by Professor Amy Leveno, exhibited their work at the School of Visual Arts. The exhibition, titled Reimagining the OU School of Visual Arts, featured drawings, models, and animations developed throughout the semester's studio project. The show was hosted in The Spotlight, a creative gallery space located on the first floor of the Fred Jones Art Center, and ran from January 20–30, 2026.
