Ph.D. student Zhina Rashidzadeh, and her faculty advisor Dr. Negar Heidari Matin, an Assistant Professor of Interior Design, recently published a paper in the Sustainability journal. Sustainability is a peer-reviewed journal published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI).
The paper, “A Comparative Study on Smart Windows Focusing on Climate-Based Energy Performance and Users’ Comfort Attributes,” explores the performance and implementation of Smart Windows. This modern technology can control interactions between buildings and the environment by blocking light and insulating buildings.
Congratulations to Zhina Rashidzadeh and Dr. Matin for this accomplishment!
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.
