Anthony Clark

Dr. David Gearhart became the 5th chancellor of the University of Arkansas today. His office released a video introduction.

Dr. Gearhart is most notably recognized for directing the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. This fund-raising effort was the largest in UA history raising over $1 billion and growing the endowment from $119 million to $900 million.

For more information about Dr. Gearhart please visit the Chancellor's Office.

That's right it's only May.... check out these great Tulsa area activities that only come around during the summer time!

One of my favorite things around Tulsa is Utica Square's Summer's Fifth Night - live music every Thursday night (beginning today, May 22, 2008) from 7-9pm. FREE concert by local & regional artists in the lot between Restoration Hardware & Queenie's. Bring your lawn chair, your friends, and a couple of bottles of wine!

While we're talking music (and FREE), don't for get the Starlight Band Concert at the River West Amphitheater (2100 S. Jackson) various nights throughtout the summer (beginning June 17, 2008, and including July 4th) at 8pm.

What's a little music with food? The very popular Art of Barbecue celebrates its 11th year benefiting the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa.

"Tulsa Celebrates Freedom" is the annual Fourth of July celebration on the Arkansas River (around the 21st Street bridge). It's Oklahoma's largest fireworks display! FREE & on July 4th, of course.

Another of my favorite things to do in the summer in Tulsa is the Summer Film Series. Enjoy classic movies on the big screen onthe Philbrook lawn. Check the Special Events calender at philbrook.org for times & titles.

Don't forget one of our most valuable resources - River Parks! FREE and an asset year round whether you're using the trails, playing disc golf, kayaking, fishing, etc.

The is the second year for NeighborFest, a serious of picnics for each city council district. Check the site for times & locations.

This is just a small list of the many amazing things to do in Green Country during the summer! Do a little research and you'll be entertained all summer long!

Andy Kinslow is a principal at Kinslow, Keith & Todd, Inc. and a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Architecture. He was recently named Small Business Person of the Year by the Tulsa Metro Chamber. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kinslow last year after an acquaintance of his read one of my posts on modern architecture which featured his personal residence. The acquaintance put us in contact, and Mr. Kinslow was gracious enough to invite me to his home for a tour. Unfortunately my camera crashed and I lost every photo from the tour. Below are excerpts of an email interview Mr. Kinslow granted on May 7, 2008. Enjoy!

Anthony Clark Kinslow Keith & Todd is a full-service architecture, design, and engineering firm. How did you know this was the field to which you would devote your life.

Andy Kinslow I decided that I wanted to be an architect when I was 10. My parents built a new house and my father drew the plans and we did a lot of the construction ourselves. From that point on I was hooked. I would sit around and sketch houses, in fact that was one of my favorite activities to do when I would get bored at church. I was lucky enough to go to a High School in Russellville Arkansas that offered drafting classes which gave me a head start for college. I majored in architecture at the University of Arkansas and during that time Warren Plattner came to the school to speak. He practiced interior architecture and I knew from that point forward that I wanted to be more involved in interior planning [than] designing buildings.

AC When working on a project, how do you balance what the client thinks is best versus what your experience and expertise tells you would work best to meet their needs.

AK We always work with our clients to explain why what they want might be better accomplished another way. Sometimes we find that clients are not aware of all of the options out there and are very open to new ideas. If a company or and individual makes the decision to work with an architect or designer they have already decided to be open for new ideas.

AC Do you find that more and more clients are concerned about "green" design and sustainability in their projects?

AK We are finding more and more that clients are asking about "green". Many times they are not sure what that really means. We have people in our office that are LEED accredited and can help explain the greenwashing that is going on in advertising. We have also been adding additional items to our resource library that are green.

AC What is one of your favorite or most challenging projects you've completed.

AK The Philtower Lofts in downtown [Tulsa]. It was the first renovation of a high rise office building into apartments in downtown.

AC What projects is KKT currently working on?

AK Conversion of the Mayo Building at 5th and Main [in Tulsa] to Residential, Educare, Children's Theatre addition at the Hardesty Library, Head Start Facility for Sand Springs, D'Novo restaurant in the old Market space at 61st and Yale conversion of Eastland Mall to Eastgate Metroplex Business Center, Atlas Pipeline, Lolly Garden at Utica Square, 9th floor Penthouse at Utica Place to name a few.

As you may know, I have a thing for modern architecture.

There is a lot of new construction going up that has a definite modern influence. Here is a pictorial update on the growing number of loft concept dwellings going up in Tulsa.

The majority of these urban homes are going up around the popular Cherry Street district of midtown Tulsa.

Every home pictured in this post lies within a five block area shown below.

Scroll down for more photos & info.

This particular development is a sustainable dwelling on South Rockford Street. According to the architect, once the project is complete it is expected to receive the "above-platinum" LEED rating. That will make it the first in Oklahoma, and one of only 25 projects to capture the highest certification.

I was in downtown Tulsa today and just had to snap a couple of shots for you. Happy Easter, long weekend, beautiful weather, or whatever it is you might be celebrating this weekend!