Environmental Design Capstone
University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture
SP26, EnD 4993, Monday 5:00 - 7:40 PM, Gould Hall 395
Dr. Wei Liu, AICP, CNU-A, Assistant Professor, wliu@ou.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 2:00 – 3:00 PM at Gould Hall 245L or remotely by Zoom, request by email
Urban and rural communities alike face increasing challenges related to mobility, safety, and equitable access to opportunity. Aging transportation infrastructure, auto-oriented development patterns, and shifting demographic and economic conditions have intensified the need for more integrated and context-sensitive approaches to corridor design. Multimodal corridors and complete streets have emerged as critical frameworks for rethinking how transportation systems can support community health, environmental sustainability, and long-term economic vitality. As these challenges grow more complex, designers are increasingly called upon to work collaboratively, engage communities directly, and translate interdisciplinary knowledge into actionable, real-world solutions.
This course focuses on the transformation of vehicular-dominated community streets into multimodal corridors and complete streets as critical infrastructure for mobility, public health, and economic vitality. Framed as a studio-based learning experience, the course integrates conceptual foundations, applied design methods, and real-world engagement to bridge planning theory and design practice.
A central component of the course is a two-day intensive design charrette, a professional practice model commonly used in urban design and planning. Students will work collaboratively in teams during the charrette to synthesize research, stakeholder input, and design strategies into actionable proposals. The charrette will be co-led by the course instructor and nationally renowned architect and urban designer Victor Dover, providing students with direct exposure to professional design leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Offered in partnership with the Institute for Quality Communities (IQC), the course centers on a real, community-based project in the City of Durant, Oklahoma. By the end of the semester, students will synthesize research, community engagement, and design thinking to produce implementable design recommendations that support mobility, safety, equity, and community vitality.
April 03, 2026
Hello Folks,
As we move into the design progress phase of the semester and have four more class meetings before the final presentation, I wanted to share a few important updates:
- Since Assignment 3 was cancelled, there will be no make-up required. Everyone will receive full credit for this assignment.
- We will continue using class time for group work on Assignment 4 and 5. To receive credit, please make sure to attend class and actively engage with your team.
- On Monday, April 27, we will use class time to work on Assignment 6 (individual work) and experiment with AI image tools. You may choose any platform, such as Nano Banana, ChatGPT, or Midjourney.
- The final project presentation is scheduled during class time in Week 16 on Monday, May 4 at 5 PM at Room 395. Several PLAD faculty will join us in person, and community partners from Durant will participate virtually.
- The final project submission is due the following week on Monday, May 11 at 11:59 PM.
(More details about the presentation and submission will be shared soon.)
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
WL
Schedules
Go to the recent section. This schedule is subject to change, and please check back regularly for updates. All readings and materials can be directly accessed via the links below, although some may require a OU NetID login. Please give us any anonymous suggestions about the lectures, discussion, design progress, or anything using the anonymous suggestions box.
I - Course Overview
- Jan 19
- M.L.K. Day (No Class)
- Jan 26
- Course Overview
- PRE-CLASS SURVEY DUE THIS FRIDAY
- Pre-class Survey
II - Multimodal Corridors & Complete Streets
- Feb 2
- Why Multimodal Corridors
- Slides
- In this class, students will be introduced the concept of multimodal corridors and to the final project study site. Students will conduct a virtual environmental audit to evaluate existing corridor conditions, including mobility, land use, safety, and surrounding context. Based on this audit, students will develop a concise context summary that identifies key opportunities, constraints, and questions to inform subsequent design work.
- REQUIREDChapter 1, TRB. (2011). Reinventing the Urban Interstate: A New Paradigm for Multimodal Corridors
OptionalChapter 24, Moudon. (1987). Public Streets for Public Use
OptionalChapter 2, TRB. (2011). Reinventing the Urban Interstate: A New Paradigm for Multimodal Corridors- Why Multimodal Corridors
- Feb 9
- Why Complete Streets
- Slides
- ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE AT NOON
- Assignment Instruction
- In this class, students will be introduced to the concept of complete streets and their role in creating safe, accessible, and context-sensitive transportation environments. Students will then be split into groups to discuss their preliminary findings and identify the most compelling issues and challenges affecting the final project site. These discussions will help refine the project focus and inform subsequent design strategies.
- REQUIREDChapter 5, Moudon. (1987). Public Streets for Public Use
REQUIREDChapter 1, Dover & Massengale. (2014). Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns
OptionalSmart Growth America. (2023). The Complete Streets Policy Framework- Why Complete Streets
- Feb 16
- From Framework to Design: Trade-offs, Tools, and Context
- Slides
- In this class, students will be introduced to the topic “From Framework to Design,” focusing on how multimodal corridor and complete streets principles are translated into context-sensitive design decisions. Students will then have the opportunity to meet virtually with project stakeholders for interviews and guided discussions, using their contextual summaries to ask targets questions and deepen their understanding of local priorities, constraints, and opportunities.
- REQUIREDNACTO. (2013). Urban Street Design Guide
OptionalMCDOT. (2024). Montgomery County Complete Streets Design Guide- From Framework to Design: Trade-offs, Tools, and Context
- Feb 23
- Case Studies and Lessons Learned
- ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE AT NOON
- Assignment Instruction
- In this class, students will be introduced to multimodal corridor and complete street case studies presented by the course instructor and by students. Through guided discussion, the class will collectively reflect on the lessons learned from these precedents, focusing on design strategies and outcomes relevant to the final project.
- REQUIREDComplete Streets Case Studies
REQUIREDComplete streets: What went wrong?
OptionalComplete Streets as a Redevelopment Strategy
III - Community Transformation Charrette
- Mar 6
- Charrette Day 1
Details will be provided to you. - Mar 7
- Charrette Day 2
Details will be provided to you. - Mar 9
- Charrette Replacement (No Class)
- Mar 16
- Spring Break (No Class)
- Mar 23
- Charrette Replacement (No Class)
- ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE AT NOON
- ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE AT NOON
IV - Design Progress
- Mar 30
- Design Progress
In this class, students will work in groups on their final project, focusing on collaborative design development, analysis, and refinement. Class time will be used for teamwork. - Apr 6
- Design Progress
- ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE 11:59 PM
- Assignment Instruction
- In this class, students will pin-up their work in progress and receive feedback from the instructor and peers. The session will emphasize constructive critique, iterative improvement, and collective learning to support continued development of the final project.
- Apr 13
- Design Progress
In this class, Peyton Steger will deliver a presentation on computer representation techniques, providing a practical tutorial to support your final project. During the second half of the class, you will have time to make progress on your computer representation and seek help particularly on technical and visualization-related questions.
Location: Gould Hall B15 Computer Lab
Wei Liu is out for 2026 Main Street Now Conference (April 13-15). - Apr 20
- Design Progress
- ASSIGNMENT 5 DUE 11:59 PM
- Assignment Instruction
- In this class, students will pin-up their work in progress and receive feedback from the instructor and peers. The session will emphasize constructive critique, iterative improvement, and collective learning to support continued development of the final project.
- Apr 27
- Special Topic: Environmental Design in the AI Era & Design Progress
- ASSIGNMENT 6 DUE 11:59 PM
- Assignment Instruction
- In this class, students will be introduced the state-of-the-art AI-enabled tools and emerging trends in environmental design. The course emphasizes how these technologies are shaping contemporary design practice, analysis, and decision-making. Students will also be encouraged to critically evaluate the opportunities and limitations of AI in environmental design contexts.
- REQUIREDCummings. (2025). How Might AI Affect Architects? A Yale Expert Weighs in
OptionalStaniul. (2026). Best Midjourney Architecture Prompts (2026 Collection) - May 4
- Final Project Presentation
Final Project Presentation DUE AT NOON
Location & Time: Gould Hall 395, 5 PM - May 11
- Final Project Submission
- Final Project DUE 11:59 PM
Wei Liu is out for the Congress for the New Urbanism Annual Conference (May 13-16). - Final Project DUE 11:59 PM
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