The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame (GCA HOF) recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact over time to Gibbs College (GCA), its students, staff, faculty, alumni, and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Oscar Concessao is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
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Dr. Oscar G. Concessao, an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, is a distinguished architect and educator whose influence on architectural practice and pedagogy extends across India and internationally. He co-founded Oscar & Ponni Architects with his wife, Dr. Ponni M. Concessao, a Cornell University alumna. Together, they have built a reputation for blending sustainable design principles with cutting-edge technology and cultural sensitivity. Dr. Concessao completed his B.Arch. at the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, India, and his early education at St. Aloysius Institutions in the coastal town of Mangalore.
With more than three decades of professional experience, Dr. Concessao has directed the design and execution of over 1,000 projects worldwide. His portfolio spans residential, commercial, institutional, healthcare, and governmental buildings. Among his most notable works is the Telangana State Secretariat in Hyderabad, a 1.2-million-square-foot complex recognized as the largest green secretariat in Asia and one of India’s most technologically advanced administrative centers. This project exemplifies his approach to architecture that is both monumental and symbolic, integrating traditional Indian design motifs with state-of-the-art building systems.
Telangana State Secretariat, Hyderabad.
Dr. Concessao’s design philosophy emphasizes sustainability, human-centered spaces, and innovation. His international projects across the United States, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa demonstrate a global vision grounded in local contexts. His work often incorporates renewable energy systems, passive cooling techniques, and environmentally conscious materials, establishing him as a pioneer in green architecture.
A recipient of more than 216 national and international awards, Dr. Concessao has been honored by the Indian Institute of Architects, the Green Apple International Beautiful Buildings Award (London, 2024), and numerous government bodies for his excellence in design, innovation, and professional service. These accolades highlight his dual role as both a practicing architect and a thought leader.
Beyond practice, Dr. Concessao is an acclaimed academic and mentor. He has presented over 175 technical papers at national and international conferences—many award-winning—on topics such as urban resilience, smart city planning, and climate-responsive architecture. He has served as a visiting faculty member and keynote speaker at prestigious institutions, inspiring thousands of students with his dynamic teaching and deep professional insight.
Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.
Dr. Concessao, a distinguished alumnus of the Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma, serves as an inspiration and mentor to aspiring architects, particularly in India. Through his studio internships, workshops, and technical presentations, as well as frequent keynote and panel appearances, he encourages young architects to pursue graduate studies at Gibbs College. He often reflects on how the strong foundations he gained in Gibbs’ graduate studios shaped his career. He credits the distinguished faculty for instilling in him the confidence to design ambitious projects, drawing on the words of urban planner Daniel Burnham, frequently quoted by Dr. Tom Selland in studio: “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood.”
He highlights the institution’s dynamic curriculum, world-class faculty, and collaborative learning environment that nurture both creativity and critical thinking. In his mentorship of young architects, he often shares how the inclusive and forward-thinking culture at the University of Oklahoma shaped his professional journey. Dr. Concessao’s advocacy is driven by a desire to see more Indian architects gain global exposure, broaden their horizons, and contribute meaningfully to the built environment. The world-class training he received at Gibbs College gave him the courage and enthusiasm to compete for large architectural commissions in India. As a graduate student, he won the William Van Allen Fellowship International Competition at age 23. He was also awarded a teaching and research assistantship for his M.Arch. program, working directly on projects with Dean Raymond Yeh and Dr. Tom Selland.
APIIC Business Park, Amaravati.
Dr. Concessao is also deeply involved in charitable and community-based initiatives. Through design outreach and nonprofit projects, he has contributed to the construction of schools, orphanages, and healthcare centers in underserved regions, advancing public health initiatives including leprosy eradication. His architectural interventions in these spaces prioritize dignity, accessibility, and sustainability, showcasing how architecture can be a tool for social equity.
In all, Dr. Concessao represents the ideal of the modern architect: globally aware, socially responsible, and relentlessly innovative. His work continues to inspire a new generation of architects and urban designers committed to making a positive impact through architecture. He and his wife are joined in practice by their son, Architect Rahul Concessao, who has recently become part of the family firm.
Associate Professors Lee Fithian, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Pober have published a chapter in the recently released New Perspectives in Indoor Air Quality, published by Elsevier. Their contribution, titled “Chapter 16 – Architecture and the Challenges of Indoor Air Quality,” examines the relationship between architecture and indoor air quality.
Dr. Ladan Mozaffarian, Assistant Professor of Regional and City Planning, has been selected to serve as Co-Chair of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) Planners of Color Interest Group (POCIG) for the 2025–2027 term.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Tahsin Tabassum, a recent graduate of the college’s Master of Regional and City Planning program and current doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine, for receiving the prestigious 2024–2025 American Planning Association (APA) Outstanding Student Award.
