Langston Public Safety Facility Project

Following the Quality Communities Retreats, IQC collaborated with the Division of Architecture to extend additional services to four of the participating communities. The internship program included eight 4th-Year Architecture students, along with six professional mentors and four community partners.

During the spring semester, the four teams of interns worked with community partners in Edmond, the Asian District of Oklahoma City, Langston, and Midwest City. The interns offered more specific design guidance on the topics explored during the retreat. The projects culminated in a Zoom-based presentation and review of concepts with community partners.

Interns on the Langston team developed conceptual layouts for a combined police and fire public safety center, showing ideal layouts and ideas for community interaction. The design team from the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma together with the Institute of Quality Communities (IQC) developed basic program components based on an understanding of existing conditions and new / future requirements. The team conducted an initial interview with Langston Mayor Sheila D Stevenson and representatives of the departments to identify headcounts, work habits, workflow adjacencies, and understanding the vision for the future of the city’s fire and police facility.

Mentors: Rene Peralta, Sam Callahan
Interns: Kayarash Karami, James Nemeth