Tiziana Proietti, assistant professor of Interior Design and Architecture and director of the interdisciplinary laboratory Sense|Base, recently presented her research at the 2023 Interior Design Educators Council Southwest Regional Conference. She was recognized with the Best Presentation award for her project, Vision Training for Designers.
Proietti presented her research regarding new pedagogical methods that aim to develop the sensorial abilities of young designers. According to Proietti, many architectural education programs focus on aesthetics and the use of certain shapes and proportions universally considered to be beautiful. However, this method of design ignores the larger issue regarding how certain qualities of objects are perceived and affect the overall experience of the built environment.
In her presentation, Proietti emphasized the importance of human perception in design education. She encouraged the use of innovative pedagogical formats, such as the Theory of Pure Design by Arthur Wesley Dow and Denman Walso Ross. This approach focuses on physio-psychology and relies on empirical studies to determine the visual appeal of various design forms.
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.
