We’re excited to bring you our May Tour! We’ll be joining Barrett Williamson, AIA of Barrett Williamson Architects, Erick Westfahl of Redhawk Construction and Kevin Bahner of Wallace Design Collective to tour 1141 N. Robinson (Stryker Building).

Step Inside Oklahoma City’s Art Deco Gem: 1141 N Robinson Avenue

Embark on an exclusive architectural tour of 1141 N. Robinson, a masterfully restored Art Deco landmark in Midtown Oklahoma City. Originally constructed in 1930, this historic building has been thoughtfully reimagined in 2024, blending timeless elegance with modern functionality.

Tour Highlights:

• Art Deco Architecture: Marvel at the building’s Indiana limestone fa ade, vintage windows, and custom aluminum moldings that exemplify the grandeur of the Art Deco era.

• Historic Restoration: Explore the meticulously preserved interior, featuring rare marble walls and restored common areas that pay homage to the building’s rich history.

• Modern Amenities: Experience the seamless integration of contemporary features, including high ceilings, natural light-filled open-plan layouts, and a 93-seat auditorium designed for events and trainings.

• Sustainable Design: Learn about the building’s energy-efficient upgrades, such as surface-level parking with a solar canopy, aligning with modern sustainability standards.

Tuesday, May 13
5:30 p.m.
1141 N. Robinson Avenue, OKC

Cost:
OCFA Members: $5
Nonmember Guests: $15

REGISTER HERE

Join us for a tour of Boyett Petroleum on Tuesday, April 29th led by TAP Architecture.

Boyett Petroleum's new Oklahoma Headquarters joins a 1920s brick warehouse and a 1940s Quonset hut into a one-of-a-kind office space. Once considered a lost cause due to damage from the early 2000s Walnut Bridge restoration, owner Dale Boyett saw their potential. He fell in love with their character and had a dream of restoring them into a showcase for his company by breathing new life into these dilapidated buildings.

The project preserved original materials, including the brick and wood from the 1920s building and the steel structure from the Quonset hut. A new steel skeleton stabilizes the warehouse, supporting a new glass penthouse. The basement was cleared of debris, and a concrete floor was added to house the IT department.

The addition of a new light well in the Quonset hut floods the space with natural illumination and draws visitors through a dramatic transition from Main Street to reception. Removal of bricked-in window openings allows daylight to penetrate deep inside the open plan office and invite expansive views. The new penthouse provides respite from the workplace while commanding panoramic views of Oklahoma City's historic Bricktown.

This visionary act of preservation and conservation of Oklahoma City history is a testimony to what can be done with a lofty vision and appropriate resources. The design exploits the historic character and location of two neighboring buildings and joins them together in a classic gestalt "where the whole is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.

Tuesday, April 29th
5:30 p.m.
Boyett Petroleum
123 E. Main Street, OKC

Cost:
OCFA Members: Free
Nonmember Guests: $15

REGISTER HERE

Registration includes: Bowling lane for 2 hours, shoes, 1-topping pizza per team, soda and lemonade, and prizes.

OCFA Members:
Team of 4 – $240.00
Individual Registration – $60.00*

Nonmember Guests:
Team of 4 – $300.00
Individual Registration- $75.00*

*We will work to place individual players on a team of 4.

Sponsorships Available:

Strike Sponsor $700
-Sponsor logo appears on all event materials.
-Sponsor recognition on OCFA website event page and social media.
-Sponsor recognition at the Bowling for Buildings event.
-Sponsor receives complimentary team of 4 in the Bowling for Buildings event.

Spare Sponsor $500
-Sponsor recognition on OCFA website event page and social media.
-Sponsor recognition at the Bowling for Buildings event.
-Sponsor receives two complimentary players in the Bowling for Buildings event.

Lane Sponsor $200
-Sponsor logo appears on the bowling lane.
-Sponsor recognition on OCFA website event page and social media.

Registration is limited to 20 teams.

Bowling for Building Rules:
1. Each team will consist of 4 bowlers.
2. Each team will play two games of 10 frames each and report their highest team score (all four player’s scores added together) to the score keeper.
3. If a tie exists, we’ll do a sudden death, one-frame bowl off.
4. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

REGISTER HERE

If you are interested in serving on the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture Board, let us know!

Position: Board Member
Term Length: 3 years
Meeting Frequency: Monthly

About Us

The Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture (OCFA) was established in 1999 to promote excellence in the built environment through education, recognition, and preservation. Over the years, OCFA has achieved significant success through its events, programs, and projects, becoming a vital voice for architecture and design in our community.

Role Summary

As a board member of the OCFA, you will play an integral role in shaping the vision and ensuring the success of the organization. This includes participating in governance, providing strategic guidance, fundraising and actively supporting programs that align with the Foundation's mission.

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance:
   • Participate in setting the Foundation’s strategic direction, policies, and priorities.
   • Ensure the Foundation fulfills its mission and complies with legal and ethical standards.
2. Engagement and Advocacy:
   • Actively participate in monthly board meetings and special events.
   • Serve as an ambassador for the Foundation, promoting its mission and initiatives to the community.
   • Help to foster relationships with architects, community members, and key stakeholders.
3. Fundraising and Financial Support:
   • Contribute to and support the Foundation's fundraising efforts, including securing sponsorships and donations.
   • Make an annual personal financial contribution, reflective of personal capacity, to demonstrate commitment to the mission.
4. Program Support:
   • Support and participate in the Foundation's educational and recognition programs, as well as other special projects.
   • Volunteer for committees or special projects as needed.
5. Collaboration and Leadership:
   • Work collaboratively with fellow board members and staff to achieve organizational goals.
   • Provide insights, expertise, and leadership in areas relevant to your background and experience.

Qualifications

• Passion for architecture, education, and the preservation of the built environment.
• Willingness to dedicate time, expertise, and resources to further the Foundation's mission.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and advocacy skills.
• Experience in architecture, design, construction, nonprofit work, education, or related fields is a plus.

Time Commitment

Board members are expected to:

• Attend monthly board meetings (in-person or virtually, as needed).
• Participate in committee meetings or special projects.
• Volunteer and participate in Foundation events or initiatives.

Benefits of Serving

• Make a meaningful impact on the architectural and cultural landscape of Oklahoma City.
• Expand your professional network by connecting with industry leaders.
• Have fun collaborating with like-minded advocates.

How to Apply

If you are interested in contributing to the mission of the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture as a board member, please submit a letter of interest to okcarchitecture@cox.net by Friday, January 24^th.

Join us in 2025 by joining as a Pillar or Patron Member!

Join us for a tour of Guthrie's historic downtown this December with a guided tour celebrating its remarkable architecture and festive holiday spirit. Starting at the iconic State Capitol Publishing Museum we'll meander through the charming streets lined with Victorian-era buildings, each adorned with seasonal decor, offering a window into the past and showcasing Guthrie’s architectural history.

Our tour guide, Ronald H. Frantz, Jr., FAIA will share stories of Guthrie’s founding, its territorial capitol days, and the enduring architectural styles that have kept its character alive.

The tour concludes with a festive finish at WanderFolk Spirits, where you’re welcome to join us for locally crafted spirits and holiday-inspired beverages. It’s the perfect end to a stroll through history and holiday cheer! (Cost of drinks are the responsibility of tour goers).

Ronald Frantz, Jr., FAIA
The Frantz Alliance

Frantz is a graduate of the Tulane School of Architecture in New Orleans. His work focused on historic preservation, Main Street restoration, and neighborhood revitalization. For 43 years, Frantz worked in many small Oklahoma towns. Much of his work was with the Oklahoma Main Street Center and the OU College of Architecture. Recently, Frantz retired to focus on his small Oklahoma City-based consulting firm, co-founded with his wife, Mary.

Saturday, December 7
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Guthrie
Meet at the State Capitol Publishing Museum
301 West Harrison Avenue, Guthrie

Cost:
OCFA Members: Free
Nonmember Guests: $15

REGISTER HERE

Soaring barrel-vaulted ceilings, layers of symbolic stained-glass windows, gorgeous murals, marble and statues greet you as you step back in time and enter the 100-year-old Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a classic “basilica” design that dates back to the 5th Century Byzantine era. Your eyes will be wide open in wonder upon seeing its structural beauty while your ears are greeted with majestic movements from the pipe organ skillfully played by Cathedral Music Director and Organist, Nolan Patrick Reilly. Tour guides for your journey through this dazzling sacred space are Our Lady’s parishioners, Ron Frantz, a well-known historic preservation architect, and Charlie Towe, the owner of Homco Construction, the construction company that has been involved in many of the recent building projects at the Cathedral. After relishing the beauty of this architectural gem while learning some interesting facts about its history and design, please join us for a wine and cheese reception in the Cathedral’s Connor Center.

Thursday, September 26
5-6:30 pm
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
3214 N. Lake Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK

Cost:
OCFA Members: $10
Nonmember Guests: $20

REGISTER HERE

Join us on Tuesday, July 23rd for a tour of the Citizen led by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Lingo Construction Services and Wallace Design Collective.

The Citizen is a high-rise development in downtown Oklahoma City that from its inception set out to be a venue to promote civic discourse. Situated on a sensitive site overlooking the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the form of the building is lifted to create a landscaped undercroft, inviting a dialogue with the open space opposite, and enlivening the streetscape with restaurant and banking hall uses at ground floor. At lower levels, the Citizen houses a diverse mix of uses, with office suites to the upper stories.

The elevations were inspired by neighboring 1930s architecture, and the detailing is an abstraction of their characteristic paired window arrangements and strong vertical emphasis. The generous openings are designed with flexibility in mind, accommodating the disparate functions envisaged now, but also with the ability to flex to different uses in the future. The party wall elevation, appearing above an existing parking garage, adopts a more playful composition, with its freer functional expression of the core exhibiting the vertical movement of people within. With its well-mannered exterior, and its offering of mixed public and private functions, the building itself is conceived as a citizen of the city.

Space on the tour is limited so register early. No refunds. Proceeds from the OCFA Tour Series goes to help fund our Scholarship program as well as the Lynne Rostochil National Register Grant program.

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Cost to attend:
OCFA Member: $10.00
Nonmember Guest: $20.00

Not sure if you're a current member? Email us to okcarchitecture@cox.net.

REGISTER HERE

Join us for the OKLAHOMANMADE Architecture Photography Exhibit where we’ll reveal the winners of this year’s competition. Light snacks and drinks will be available.

Wednesday, April 17
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
AIA/OCFA Office
2220 N. Classen Blvd., Suite A, OKC

REGISTER HERE

Oklahoma City's neighborhoods represent an eclectic collection of historic America house styles, from Tudor to Craftsman and from Colonial Revival to Ranch. On this walking tour, we'll explore the variety of architectural styles on one block of an historic neighborhood, learning about style-defining details and appreciating the commonalities – and subtle differences – between them. (We will be viewing homes from the sidewalk and will not be going inside any of the homes).

The tour will be led by OKC Foundation for Architecture Vice Chair, Lisa Chronister.

Lisa M. Chronister, FAIA, AICP, LEED AP is the Assistant Director of the Oklahoma City Planning Department where she leverages her architectural expertise to influence public decision making, improving public and private development to ensure a vibrant, attractive environment for the entire community.

Before joining the Planning Department in 2014, Lisa worked for over two decades in traditional architectural practice, establishing herself as an accomplished manager of complex and large-scale building projects, both new and renovation. Throughout her career, Lisa has devoted her time and talent to teaching, mentoring, and professional service, including two terms as President of AIA Central Oklahoma, founder of the chapter's Women in Architecture group, and service as a longtime AIA representative to National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) visiting teams. Lisa has been appointed to multiple AIA national award juries and committees and is herself a recipient of national honors, including induction into the AIA College of Fellows.

Lisa earned a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma. She also holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024
5:30 – 6:0 p.m.

Meeting point: intersection of NW 18^th St and Barnes Ave.

Parking: street parking is available on nearby streets.

Cost to attend:
OCFA Member: Free*
Nonmember Guest: $10

*please note, OCFA membership is separate from AIA Membership. Not sure if you’re a current member? Email us to okcarchitecture@cox.net.

Space on the tour is limited to 25 people. First come, first served.