Students at the University of Oklahoma are leading the way with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the design process. A group of Architecture students were the first at Gibbs to use an AI image-generating program to aid in the design process for their final studio project.
Professor of Architecture René Peralta implemented this technology in his studio as a part of a semester long project. Peralta’s students utilized a program called Midjourney, which uses AI technology to transform text prompts into visual images.
Midjourney assisted students as they worked on their design proposal for a Native American Studies building on campus. The program allowed them to generate images surrounding Indigenous architecture theories using terminology and ideas from Laura Harjo’s book “Spiral to the Stars.” Harjo is a Mvskoke scholar and associate professor in the Department of Native American studies.
MidJourney designs for the Indigenous Storytelling project
One of the main benefits of the program is its ability to cater to students’ specific needs. Midjourney can provide reference images that are much more personalized than typical images found online, which is incredibly helpful during the design process.
Peralta hopes that AI will continue to be a part of architecture education. This technology has the potential to streamline the design process and give students more time to focus on the theory and ideas behind architecture.
Learn more about Midjourney and the Indigenous Storytelling project.
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.
