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.
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.
