101 Archer

The four-story, 42,500 square foot arts education and exhibition facility serves as The University of Tulsa’s hub for arts and culture. Home to the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities, Mayfest, Switchyard, the Kendall College of Arts & Sciences Arts, Culture, and Entertainment program, and several Presidential Professors, 101 Archer anchors TU’s presence in the district while welcoming the public to its galleries, programs and exhibitions.

Wallace Design Collective provided civil and structural engineering services for the facility. Inspired by the district’s industrial character, the design incorporates metal wall panels, exposed concrete and steel and expansive glazing. Its footprint follows the unique street grid shaped by historic railroad spurs.

Community engagement was central to the design. Large operable glass panels on the ground floor allow activity to spill into the street, while a perforated steel screen reveals glimpses of the studios inside. The result is a building that reflects its neighborhood, amplifies creativity and strengthens the cultural fabric of downtown Tulsa.

photography: ©Ralph Cole