David Boeck, an associate professor in the Gibbs College of Architecture, was recently featured in The Oklahoman [subscription required]. The article, titled “Can aging-in-place, universal design go mainstream? This Oklahoma homebuilder is betting on it,” features Boeck’s recent work with Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods, incorporating aging-in-place and universal home design into Ideal Homes’ new construction in Norman, Moore, and Stillwater.
Universal home design emphasizes adding features to homes to make them more accessible to both aging homeowners as well as any homeowners that desire more ease of use in their home. Homes may include solid-surface flooring, door levers instead of knobs, raised outlets, a lack of steps, etc. In the case of Ideal Homes, homeowners choose what features they want included in their home.
Boeck, a certified Aging in Place Specialist, has been advocating for homebuilders to offer more accessible features in their builds but has not found much success until speaking with Vernon McKown of Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture announces John Harris as Associate Dean for Research ad interim, effective Aug. 25, 2026, until the permanent position is filled.
Gibbs College is pleased to announce the 2026 Gibbs College Faculty & Staff Awards recipients. These individuals were recognized by Dean Butzer during the Gibbs College Back to School Meeting and will be honored during the Celebration Banquet in October. They were nominated by their colleagues via an open nomination process.
Telesis, the Gibbs College of Architecture’s student journal, has been awarded a grant from the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts to support its next two issues, “Pause” (Volume IX) and “React” (Volume X).
