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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.
Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Petya Stefanoff, who is pursuing her doctorate in the Planning, Design & Construction (PDC) program, has been appointed the new role of Director of Community Development for the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma. She joined the city in 2024.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design and director of the Institute for Quality Communities, has received national recognition for her book Model Schools in the Model City. The book has been named a finalist for the 2026 the PROSE Awards.
Gibbs College of Architecture Regional + City Planning Professor of Practice Vanessa Morrison and Associate Professor of Architecture Deborah Richards’ Open Design Collective received top honors at the inaugural BlackSpace Urbanist Collective Studio KIN Pitch Night Competition, held last month in Brooklyn, New York City.
