OU Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Kiara Gilmore, Associate Architect and Director of Emerging Professionals at Modus Studio, has been appointed as the Goff Chair of Creative Architecture for 2025. As Goff Chair, Gilmore is invited to give a public lecture this semester, open to all Gibbs students, faculty, and staff.
In her upcoming lecture, Gilmore will share insights into the “Think. Make. Do.” design process that defines the work of Modus Studio. The lecture will take place on Monday April 7, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in George Lynn Cross Room 123. It will be an opportunity for students, faculty, and practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of how design thinking translates into meaningful architectural solutions.
Rooted in Arkansas and driven by a passion for transformative design, Kiara Gilmore has dedicated her career to shaping sustainable and community-centric spaces. Her innovative approach to architecture not only fosters meaningful built environments but also inspires the next generation of architects. Kiara grew up in Concord, New Hampshire, in a home that was built in the 1800s. It was there that she became fascinated with how architecture and design were thought about. She graduated from the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design and began working at Modus Studio, where she has used her energy and talent to continue to transform the built world—a world where every individual consciously and unconsciously experiences design at its highest, most innovative form. Through her leadership in the AIA, including roles as Young Architect Regional Director for the Gulf States, Knowledge Director, Vice Chair of the AIA Young Architects Forum, and Secretary Elect for AIA Arkansas, she has championed the growth and development of emerging professionals. Her contributions to programs like the Mini MBA sessions and ARE quiz nights have equipped countless architects with essential business and licensure skills.
Robert L. Wesley, a pioneering architect and beloved mentor, has died at age 88. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Wesley joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1964 and became the firm's first Black partner in 1984. Throughout his career, he contributed to significant architectural projects while maintaining a strong commitment to civic engagement and professional mentorship.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to celebrate a series of recent accomplishments by Dr. Jim Collard, Professor of Practice in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design, whose work continues to shape conversations around Indigenous economic development nationally and internationally.
University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture Dean Hans E. [PA1.1]Butzer returned to one of his most significant works on December 15, joining survivors and past and present board members for the groundbreaking of a $15.8 million expansion of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
