Dr. Xiaobo Quan, the Violeta Autumn Teaching Fellow in the Gibbs Architecture program, recently attended at the 2022 Healthcare Design Conference + Expo hosted by the Center for Health Design and the Academy of Architecture for Health of the American Institute of Architects (AIA/AAH). The international conference, held in San Antonio, Texas, highlighted the latest research, innovations, and strategies in healthcare design. It was attended by designers, researchers, health professionals, over two hundred exhibitors, and more.
Dr. Quan’s presentation focused on his mixed-method research project around the impact of perioperative environmental design on ambulatory surgery patients’ experiences. The project included a qualitative study and quasi-experimental study in order to identify key design considerations at various stages of the patient journey as well as compare three types of surgery suite design.
The results of surveys, interviews, and sound level measurements were triangulated to increase the validity and generalizability of findings. Those who attended Dr. Quan’s session received a first look at the project as well as learned about his recommendations for further design optimization and future research.
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.
