424 Tour
Join us for a tour of the 424 Building! 
The 424/Phillips Murrah building is a multi-use commercial building under construction in the heart of Midtown. Retail, service, and hospitality are the focus of the street-level spaces to continue the growth of the walkable pedestrian experience of the area. The upper four floors are focused on business office use. Sensitive to the context of its neighborhood, masonry materials were used at the lower levels to complement the lower-scale masonry buildings of Midtown, while providing consistent smaller-scale colonnades to heighten the pedestrian experience. The top three floors that are to become the offices of Phillips Murrah step forward and are set apart from the context, reflecting the progressive and innovative culture of the firm.
Along the front of the building, the first two floors stretch out wide and pull away gradually from the street, making way for a northern patio that turns the corner toward a deep eastern plaza serving as both patio and pedestrian connection deeper into the site. This plaza is to eventually become a breezeway between anticipated future development. Presenting themselves as a singular form (with a single tenant), the upper three floors face the street more directly, perching atop and reaching out from the base below, and balancing an otherwise simple composition with just a few subtle moves.
Every design challenge provides a unique opportunity to improve our built environment. Both new infill construction and renovation/reuse can be equally challenging and equally fulfilling. The 424 project aspires to enhance the vibrancy of Midtown, acting as a catalyst for further thoughtful development in the area.
Thursday, February 29, 2024
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
424 NW 10th Street, OKC
The tour will be led by Fitzsimmons Architects and Lingo Construction.
424 is an active construction site so hard hats are required. Lingo Construction will have a few on hand but tour goers are encouraged to bring a hard hat.
Cost to attend:
*OCFA Members: $10
Nonmember Guests: $20
*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 30 people. First come, first served.
OKLAHOMANMADE Photography Competition
1. All entrants must complete an entry form and upload the entry. Link provided below. Files may not exceed 15 MB in size and must be entered as a JPG, PNG or TIFF format. Photos must be sized to print in 8×10 format. OCFA is not responsible for mistakes in printing files that aren't sized properly. OCFA will print and frame the photographs for display.
2. Entries must have been exposed by, and owned by, the entrant.
3. The subject matter must have an architectural theme or must contain some element of the manmade environment and be located in the State of Oklahoma. Photographic interpretation of the subject matter is what will be judged, not the architecture.
4. All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. Acceptable: adjustments to color, contrast, brightness and sharpness; removal of dust and scratches; cropping; black and white conversions; and the use of HDR (high dynamic range imaging), where multiple exposures of the same scene are combined for greater tonal range. Not acceptable: photo composites (combination of two or more photos, not the same scene); the addition, duplication, deletion or moving of objects in the photos; or the use of artistic digital filters and effects. Examples of artistic filters and effects are watercolor, neon glow, posturizing, stained glass, and others which do not show the scene in its natural way.
5. Entry fee for each image for General and Professional Photographer is $20 for OKC Foundation for Architecture Members and $35 for nonmembers. K-12 Students $5, College Students $10. There is a maximum of 5 entries per person.
6. Categories are:
General
Oklahoma Students (K-12 & College)
Professional Photographer
7. Awards include:
– General: 1st Place $200, 2nd Place, $100 3rd Place $50
– Professional Photographer : 1st Place $200, 2nd Place, $100 3rd Place $50
– Oklahoma Students: 1st Place $100, 2nd Place $75, 3rd Place $50
– People's Choice (voting across all images as determined by votes during the AIA Architecture Tour): $75
8. Judges will include an Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture Board Member, an Architect and a Professional Photographer.
9. Entrant grants permission to the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture (and its partner AIA Central Oklahoma) to reproduce images for exhibition, publications and for promotional purposes with proper photo credit. These reproductions will become property of the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture. The photographer will maintain rights to his or her original work.
10. The decisions of the judges are final on all matters relating to the competition.
11. Submission of the image(s) implies entrants acceptance to all of the above conditions.
12. All entries will be exhibited during the AIA Architecture Tour on Saturday, April 13th and the winners will be awarded at a small reception on Wednesday, April 17th at the AIA / OCFA Office at 2220 N. Classen Blvd., Suite A.
13. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 15, 2024.
14. Questions? Please email to okcarchitecture@cox.net.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE OKLAHOMANMADE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
We hope you’ll join us in 2024! Join or renew your membership today!
Oklahoma Capitol Tour
Join us as we tour the Oklahoma State Capitol on Thursday, December 7th at 5:30 p.m. Our tour will be led by Trait Thompson.
Executive Director Trait Thompson has led the Oklahoma Historical Society since January of 2021.
Thompson began his career with the state as policy director for former Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman. During that four-year service, Thompson read every bill submitted to the senate, met with citizens from across the state and learned how to work with others to achieve shared goals. In 2014 he assumed the project manager role for the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project, shepherding the preservation and restoration of one of Oklahoma’s most important historical artifacts-the State Capitol. He is author of The Oklahoma State Capitol (2022).
Thompson is the co-host of A Very OK Podcast, which explores the interesting stories and fascinating personalities that make up Oklahoma’s unique history. Look for new episodes each month. OHS members receive updates from Thompson in each issue of Mistletoe Leaves, the bimonthly membership newsletter of the OHS.
Attendees will have a chance to win a copy of Trait's book, The Oklahoma State Capitol!
OCFA Members: Free
Nonmember Guests: $15.00
REGISTER HERE
Buildings & Bikes
In partnership with Ride OKC, this leisurely 4-mile guided bike excursion will showcase the architectural treasures of Oklahoma City, spanning Route 66, Uptown 23rd Street, The Paseo, Mesta Park, and Heritage Hills. You'll explore notable locations featured in Sam Anderson's renowned book, "Boom Town," and enjoy refreshments at the conclusion of the tour.
The ticket to this tour is $30. If you need to rent a bike, add one at checkout for $10 and it will be waiting for you at the starting location.
Drinks X Design Cancelled
We’re sad to report that Drinks X Design has been cancelled this year but stay tuned for our next quarterly tour announcement!
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Tour
Join us for the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Tour!
Join the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture, ADG | Blatt Architects and Cooper Project Advisors for a tour of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine building on Tuesday, July 18th at 4:30 p.m.
Ground was officially broken on the site of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine on November 19, 2019. Hundreds gathered for a “festival”-like celebration, which included food, games, dancing and music.
Spanning 4 years, the construction of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine was a significant undertaking. This historic building in the life of the Church in Oklahoma, and the United States, was designed in the Spanish-colonial style to pay homage to the parish of Saint James the Apostle where Blessed Stanley served in Guatemala.
The dedication of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine was divided into a week of events, culminating in the Feb. 17 dedication Mass of the shrine.
Join us for a tour led by JC Witcher, AIA of ADG|Blatt Architects along with Cooper Project Advisors.
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine Tour
Tuesday, July 18th
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
700 SE 89th Street, OKC
Advance registration is required. Space is limited.
OCFA Members: Free
Nonmember Guests: $15.00
REGISTER HERE
Photography Along Park
You're invited to the Photography Along Park event!
Join the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture and Architectural Photographer, Mel Willis, on a walk along Park Avenue to enjoy some of downtown Oklahoma City's stunning structures while learning tips and tricks for getting that perfect shot! All skill levels are welcome including iPhones, Android phones, and tablets.
Mel Willis is an architectural and interior photographer with over 15 years of experience in helping designers grow their visibility. Her work can be seen in: Architectural Digest, Designboom, Dezeen, National Geographic, Forbes, Fast Company, Southern Living Magazine, and more.
OCFA Members: $10
Nonmembers: $20
Space is limited.
Structural Masonry House Tour
Join us for our March Tour!
This Dutch inspired home rising up in the heart of Wheeler District is built to last centuries, using the age-old practice of structural masonry. With 16" thick walls and over 90,000 brick, the playful stepped gable and old-world charm expresses itself in a solidness and authenticity that only something real can. It is cozy and sophisticated, rugged yet refined. The subtle variation of each brick serves as a reminder that it is humans, with all their skill and imperfections, who built it, which affords a sense of comfort and familiarity that can't be mimicked. Rather than degrading, this home will get richer and more beautiful with each passing year.
Join us on Thursday, March 9th for a tour and hands on brick laying experience led by Austin Tunnel, founder and owner of Building Culture.
A special thanks to the Wheeler District for sponsoring the tour and providing beverages from The Big Friendly.
OKC Foundation for Architecture Members attend FREE (but advance registration is required)
Not sure if you’re a member? CLICK HERE
Nonmembers: $15.00
Drinks X Design on November 4!
Join us on Friday, November 4th for an evening of food, drinks, design and fun!
We will hop on a bus and head to Norman for our first stop at CWA Group who has teamed with 405 Brewery and Good Life Dining Group.
From there we will head to The Well, a project by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, who has teamed with Equity Brewing Company and Scratch Kitchen.
Our next stop will be back in Oklahoma City at The Joinery by Cord Construction, where you'll enjoy drinks and food form The Joinery.
And our last stop will be hosted by ADG|Blatt Architects at the newly renovated Mary Eddy's Pool Bar. You'll enjoy coffee, drinks and desserts.
Tickets are $65 for OCFA members and $75 for nonmembers. Tickets are limited! First Come, First Served.