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First-year architecture students and faculty members recently traveled to Fort Worth to explore various architectural sites and museums. The students first visited the Marty Leonard Chapel, designed by architect E. Fay Jones, an American School architect. The Chapel was originally constructed in 1989 on the grounds of Lena Pope, a nonprofit that continues to serve children and families. The chapel was intended to serve as a site of reflection and inspiration for those served by Lena Pope. In the early 2000s, the Chapel was opened to the public as a wedding venue. All proceeds from event rentals go to Lena Pope’s work helping children and families.
The Amon Carter Musuem (Photo by Carter Museum)
The students also toured the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The museum is based on the original collection of American art curated by Amon G. Carter Sr. Carter established the museum in his will, a public space to house and display his collection of over 400 works in hopes they would serve as a cultural treasure and inspiration for the citizens of Fort Worth. The museum building was designed by architect Philip Johnson in 1961. Johnson was known for his distinct design style that combined classical structure with modern materials. Gibbs architecture students were able to visit the Carter’s current exhibition titled “Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation,” which explores what freedom looks like for Black Americans today and the legacy of the Civil War in 2023 and beyond. The exhibition features the perspectives of contemporary Black artists.
The Modern (Photo by Liao Yusheng)
The first-year students also visited The Modern, an art museum designed by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando in 2002. The stunning museum appears to float on its reflecting pond, indicative of Ando’s simple but breathtaking design aesthetic. Students were also able to visit the neighboring Kimbell, an art museum designed by Louis I. Kahn in 1972. Kahn prioritized light in his building design. Narrow skylights line the gallery’s ceilings and reflectors that hang below diffuse the sunlight, illuminating the concrete walls and providing light for the works of art within.
The Kimbell Art Museum (Photo by Kimbell Museum)
Following their museum visits, the students were given a tour by Gibbs architecture faculty member Ted Reeds of numerous historic buildings in downtown Fort Worth. The group concluded the day with pizza at the Water Garden, an urban park and water installation designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee.
This travel study experience was planned by Gibbs’ first-year faculty members, Dr. Tamar Zinguer, Ted Reeds, Hunter Read, Dayton Clark, Dr. Shooka Motamedi, and Chris Morrey.
Petya Stefanoff, Chair of the Educational Committee with the American Planning Association, Oklahoma Chapter (APA-OK) and Gibbs College PhD candidate, has developed a new training program for local government officials. The program, focused on land use, zoning principles, and land development, recently certified its first graduates with Certified Citizen Planner status.
Gibbs Construction Science and Architecture students recently traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to compete in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 8 Student Competition. The team partnered with Czech Technical University and secured third place in the Design-Build category.
Gibbs College is pleased to present the exhibition Vollendorf in Oklahoma: The Architecture of Dean Bryant Vollendorf during the Spring 2026 semester. It will be on display in Gould Hall, on the OU-Norman Campus, from February 16, 2026 - March 13, 2026.
