OU Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Nathalie Miebach, an acclaimed sculptor known for her interdisciplinary approach to art and science, has been appointed as the Goff Chair of Creative Architecture for 2025. As Goff Chair, Miebach is invited to give a public lecture in the upcoming semester, open to all Gibbs students, faculty, and staff.
In her upcoming lecture, Miebach will share insights into her innovative data-driven art process and the impact of aesthetics in scientific communication. The lecture will take place on Wednesday March 26, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Nielsen Hall, Room 170. It will be an opportunity for students, faculty, and practitioners to engage with a fascinating approach to creative data visualization and interdisciplinary storytelling.
Miebach explores the intersection of art and science by translating scientific data related to meteorology, ecology, and oceanography into woven sculptures and musical scores. Her main method of data translation is basket weaving, which serves as a tactile grid through which she interprets data into three-dimensional space. Central to her work is an exploration of the role that visual and musical aesthetics play in translating and understanding complex scientific systems, such as weather patterns and climate change.
The Floods by Nathalie Miebach (Source: Nathalie Miebach)
Currently serving as an Artist in Residence at the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science, Miebach continues to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary collaboration. Her unique artistic practice not only bridges the gap between artistic expression and scientific inquiry but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the ways in which art can make complex data more accessible and engaging.
Featured Image: Photograph of Nathalie Miebach from TED Talks
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.