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The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture recently hosted the Outré West: The American School of Architecture from Oklahoma to California exhibition symposium. Held on October 18, 2024, at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, the event drew more than 100 attendees.
The symposium began with a presentation from noted architect and historian Alan Hess, on the origins and history of the “American School” of modern architecture in the America. Organized by lead curators Dr. Angela Person, Dr. Stephanie Pilat, and Marco Piscitelli, Outré West showcases the innovative journey of Oklahoma-trained architects who later influenced California’s architectural scene. Hans Baldauf, FAIA, Dr. Rachel Engler, Christopher Loofs, and Amber Brown also curated sections within the exhibition and gave presentations during the symposium.
Alan Hess speaks at the symposium.
Dr. Stephanie Pilat and Angela Person introduced the American School, which emerged from the University of Oklahoma in the postwar period and became known for emphasizing individual creativity and experimentation. The symposium showed by considering the work of five prominent architects in California affiliated with the American School: John Marsh Davis, Violeta Autumn, Arthur Dyson, Donald McDonald, and Mickey Muenning.
Dr. Angela Person speaks at the symposium.
During the symposium, these architects and their work were introduced by Hans Baldauf, Rachel Engler, Christopher Loofs, Amber Brown, and Marco Piscitelli respectively. These architects are all rebels in their field, moving to the beat of their own drums. In many ways, their work is Outré, the French word meaning violating convention.
Dr. Stephanie Pilat speaks at the symposium.
The symposium was not only a celebration of architectural innovation that originated at the University of Oklahoma in the 1950s and ’60s but also a gathering that drew a diverse crowd, from students and professionals in the field of architecture to art lovers and general enthusiasts. Attendees discussed the iconic designs, sharing personal memories of the featured homes, and examining intricate scale models of notable structures such as Herb Greene’s Prairie House and Bruce Goff’s Bavinger House.
Highlights from the Outré West exhibition.
The evening also included a panel discussion led by the curators, which explored the exhibition’s development process, the far-reaching impact of the American School on architecture, and Bruce Goff’s innovative teaching methods. The discussion drew a packed house.
Outré West was made possible with support from the OU Vice President for Research and Partnerships and thanks to OU Libraries’ recent acquisitions of the archives of John Marsh Davis, Violeta Autumn, Donald MacDonald, and Mickey Muennig. It features an impressive array of large-scale photographs, architectural models, and archival materials that vividly illustrate the transformative impact these architects had on both Oklahoma and California’s built environments.
Looking ahead, the exhibition will run through January 27, 2025, at the Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery. Oklahoma Contemporary has planned a Veterans Day event exploring the military’s influence on the American School of Architecture.
For more details on the exhibition and upcoming related events, please visit the Oklahoma Contemporary’s website.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture professor and Institute for Quality Communities Director Dr. Amber N. Wiley’s book, Model Schools in the Model City: Race, Planning, and Education in the Nation’s Capital, has received two major honors from the Urban History Association.
Research initiated by Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture alumna Naila Hasan during her master’s studies at the University of Oklahoma has continued through faculty collaboration and resulted in a peer-reviewed publication in HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal.
Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce Esther Thorp, Tyler Boydstun and Chukwuma Nwokoye as the winners of the 2026 Construction Innovation Translation Hub (CIThub) Student Ideas Competition.
