Petya Stefanoff, a Ph.D. student in OU’s Planning, Design and Construction degree program, has been honored with the Annual Outstanding Plan Award by the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Planning Association, alongside her teammates. The plan features revitalization efforts in the Twin Lake area, aiming to activate the space with compact improvements that support multiple outdoor activities. The project is expected to boost the economic vitality and tourism, bringing the surroundings to a desired destination for residents and visitors. A standout aspect of the plan is its strong community engagement; the team actively applied the core principles of “inform, engage, empower,” hosting numerous public meetings and charettes that brought stakeholders together to collaboratively shape the vision.
Stefanoff and teammates accepting the Annual Outstanding Plan Award.
Stefanoff’s doctoral research explores how place attachment fosters cohesion in communities, and this project exemplifies how a built environment can unite and empower a community. Stefanoff’s doctoral adviser is Dr. Charlie Warnken.
The Outstanding Plan Award highlights the significance of her and her team’s project ability to advance the art and science of planning as a whole.
Stefanoff began her journey at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy in Bulgaria. Witnessing the fall of the Iron Curtain during her college years, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and later earned an additional bachelor’s in architecture and urban planning. After moving to the U.S., she graduated with a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Kansas. Working in the field of engineering and architecture for a number of years, she was given a task at one time to create a training program for employees. As part of this effort, Stefanoff enrolled at OU and graduated with a Master of Adult Education. Her dedication to building and sustaining strong communities inspired her to enter the doctoral program in Planning, Design, and Construction within the OU School of Architecture.
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.
