A new pergola designed by Urban Design students Virginia Paiva and Samiul Haque was recently installed at Chapman Green in downtown Tulsa. The pergola was funded by a grant from the Claritin® Clarity Parks Project, which helps restore community outdoor spaces that have been impacted by natural disasters. The grant was administered by the Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and maintaining community places.
Chapman Green is a public park that is used for a variety of community events, including Tulsa Mayfest. However, with the park’s previous lack of shade and Tulsa’s sometimes severe summers, the park could quickly become unbearably hot. Led by Shawn Schaefer, director of OU’s Urban Design program, the students conducted in-depth observations and research to determine innovative design solutions for the park. In collaboration with several organizations and the local community, the students developed the idea to install a pergola.
The pergola designed by Virginia Paiva and Samiul Haque.
The project originally began in 2020, but it was delayed for several years due to the pandemic and other issues. The pergola now joins 20 previously planted trees to provide shade for park visitors. According to Schaefer, the project was a true community collaboration. Schaefer and his students would like to thank the local stakeholders and organizations that contributed, including:
Feature Image: Chapman Green, photo by Stephan Pingry.
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.
