“Capital Brutalism,” an exhibition co-curated by Dr. Angela Person, associate professor and associate dean for research and external engagement at the Gibbs College, was recently reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Currently on display at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., the exhibition represents the most extensive survey of Brutalist architecture in the nation’s capital to date.
Co-curated with architectural photographer Ty Cole, the exhibition explores the emergence and impact of Brutalist architecture in Washington, D.C., during the 1960s and 1970s. It focuses on six significant buildings and the city’s Metro system, utilizing archival documents, drawings, custom-built models, and contemporary photographs to examine the historical context, current state, and future possibilities of this architectural style.
The Wall Street Journal commended the exhibition for offering fresh insights into a frequently misunderstood architectural movement. The review highlighted how “Capital Brutalism” encourages visitors to reevaluate Brutalist structures by illuminating their aesthetic qualities and historical significance. It praised the inclusion of innovative redesign proposals by contemporary architects, noting that these speculative projects spark meaningful conversations about the preservation and adaptive reuse of these monumental buildings.
Dr. Person’s involvement in “Capital Brutalism” draws upon her research interests in design, community identities, and sustainability. Her scholarship has been supported by institutions such as the Smithsonian, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Graham Foundation.
“Capital Brutalism” is open to the public through February 17, 2025. For more information about the exhibition, visit the National Building Museum’s website.
To read The Wall Street Journal review, visit: Capital Brutalism Review: Washington, District of Concrete.This review also appeared in print on November 4. OU students, faculty, and staff can access The Wall Street Journal for free through OU Libraries.
The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture is proud to announce that Model Schools in the Model City, authored by Director of the Institute for Quality Communities, Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., has been named one of ten finalists for the 2026 ASALH Book Prize for Best New Book in African American History and Culture.
This semester, students in the LA 5535 Studio: Ecological Planning and Design, led by Prof. Afsana Sharmin, took on an ambitious hypothetical project to redesign key parts of the OU campus. Their mission: to tackle the critical real-world challenge of stormwater management through innovative green design.
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.
