Interior Design student Naila Hasan recently presented her research at the 2023 Interior Design Educators Council Southwest Regional Conference, where she received the award for Best Poster Presenter. She was selected to attend the conference and represent OU as a Gibbs College of Architecture Research Dissemination Travel Award recipient.
Hasan presented the results from her recent study, The Relationship Between Natural Lighting and Biophilic Elements and Children’s Behaviors, co-authored by Yeji Yi, assistant professor of Interior Design. This study investigated the impact of natural lighting and biophilic elements on children’s psychological well-being. Hasan wanted to determine the specific behavior changes caused by a lack of natural light and explore how natural light can change an indoor environment to positively influence children.
Yi and Hasan at the IDEC Conference.
Students and teachers spend 5-7 hours in the classroom on the average school day, so it is important to apply sufficient lighting practices in educational settings. According to Hasan, learning spaces with natural light encourage social interactions and make children happier and more active, as compared to spaces with less or no natural lighting. To test this hypothesis, she conducted a study of two libraries with different layouts and natural lighting conditions.
Hasan presenting her poster at the IDEC conference.
Library A had an abundance of light and biophilic design elements, featuring big glass panels and an open concept layout; Library B had a conventional, old structure with traditional windows and lacked natural light. The observational study was conducted between 2-3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. on two separate days. Throughout the duration of the observation, Hasan documented the children’s activity, including the location and duration of time spent on the activity.
She found that children in Library A were more active, sociable and stayed longer than children in Library B. By comparing these contrasting spaces, she determined that natural lighting is very important for any learning space. As explained by Hasan, “We need to consider it as a primary element while designing. It enhances the space quality for the users, thus having an impact on psychological well-being.”
Hasan would like to thank Professor Suchismita Bhattacharjee for her support.
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.
