Environmental Design student Anthony Rodriguez recently published an op-ed in the Oklahoma City Free Press. His article, “Changing Attitudes Over Urban Sprawl Have Taken Hold In OKC,” focuses on the need for social interactions during the pandemic and how mixed-used developments can help foster more social interactions.
His op-ed was written as part of a Regional and City Planning course, “Planning with Diverse Communities,” which is taught by Dr. C. Aujean Lee. For this class, Rodriguez conducted a case study about 20th century discriminatory housing practices in New York. During his research, he learned about exclusionary zoning laws that restricted land development to single family homes.
In addition to this case study, he participated in a discussion of Jane Jacob’s The Death and Life of Great American Cities for his Architectural Theory and Criticism class. Rodriguez explained, “It was that assignment, that discussion, and the pandemic that had me think about the effect suburbs had on the social life of the country.” In his Op-Ed, Rodriguez discusses how the pandemic magnified major issues with suburban neighborhoods, including the lack of walkability, communal spaces, and diversity.
According to Rodriguez, “My goal for this op-ed was to express my optimism that cities like OKC are acknowledging that these zoning laws are at least partially responsible for continued racial segregation, missed economic opportunities, and low quality of life. The pandemic presented cities with an opportunity to improve the health and well-being of their residents in the long term. Time will tell if they ultimately took it.”
This was Rodriguez’s first time publishing an article on a professional journalism platform. Read his full Op-Ed in the Oklahoma City Free Press.
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.
