Matthew Hopkins
Mhopkinsm1002@gmail.com
314 - 393 - 0560
Norman, Oklahoma
Experiences
Graduate Teaching Assistant / Fall 2024 - Current
Graded assignments, ensuring timely feedback and maintaining academic integrity
. Mentored students on academic and course related inquiries, contributing to understanding of expectations. Communicational bridge, linking student to staff.
Opacity / Spring 2024 - Spring 2025
Co-leading the development and execution a podcast and interview series.
Collaborating with faculty and fellow graduate student on content creation. Coordinating guest outreach, preparing interview materials, and managing logistics for high-profile interviews.
Equity in Architecture Consortium / University of Michigan / Spring 2024
Provided mentorship for Michigan high schoolers through a digital group setting.
Established and prioritized connection through understanding of situation and environment. Held record of meeting topics and discussions for research purposes.
Education
University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Fall 2020 - Spring 2024
University of Oklahoma
Masters of Architecture
Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
References
Alan Moring - Studio Professor
Design 9 / Grad 3 - Spring 2024 amoring@ou.edu
Daniel Butko - Academic Director butko@ou.edu
Software Experience
Autodesk Revit First Explored 2023
McNeel Rhino 7 First Explored 2021
Adobe Illustrator First Explored 2020
Adobe Photoshop First Explored 2020
Enscape First Explored 2022
Lumion First Explored 2023
Equine Assisted Therapy Center - Fall 2021 4 - 9
URBan Remedy - Spring 2022 10 - 23
Untitled.Living - Fall 2023 24 - 33
GridLine - Spring 2024 34 - 37
Equine Assisted Therapy Center
Towards Robinson & J.D. McCarty Center
Reservoir
Existing Structures
1. Washing and Tackling
2. Stables
3. Equipment and Food
4. Reception
5. Office
6. Storage
7. Bathroom
8. Kitchen
9. Archive
Main Street
Santa Fe
Norman, Oklahoma is the third most populous city in the state. Home to the University of Oklahoma and only half an hour drive to the capital. Currently, travedown Main Street exudes a rather small town feeling. With a red brick facade broken up by sidewalks and parking lots. This rigid urban grid does however have occasional moments of greenery. One of the most notable being the site we were tasked to alter. Why not then let ourselves fall into nature’s embrace?
Deepening not only Norman’s connection to it’s metaphorical and literal roots, but also giving a space to to allow for the rift in our community to heal. As, who can deny the positive effects of feeding those who need it?
As one enters into the center, greetings and programmatic briefings occur within sight of a set of stairs, a demonstration space, and a cafe with freshly procured nourishment to guide a visitor further within.
Communal Gathering Space
Indoor Hydroponic
Communal Gathering Space
Communal Gathering Space
Indoor Plant Section
Outdoor Plant Section
25’ 50’
Greenhouse
SporadicLoudTrain
Based off several factors, primarily that of the preexisting wooden viewing post inspired me to choose this section of the Duck Pond to build upon, which then lead to realizations of the numerous views to and from this position. Based off of the few bridges, and the other viewing platform from across the water. Compounded further by the existing natural walkways utilized by pedestrians to navigate and ease the otherwise more length journey present.
This placement along that natural pathway allows for a smoother connection across Brooks to Lindsey on the Campus side, so that there is an easier connection out towards the higher volume road. With direct visual connection across the entire walkway.
Brooks Street
Substation Newer
Lindsey Street
Ecology:
With an attachment to botany is as linked to the ECOLOGY as it could be. Through the instruction on how plant growth works and increasing biodiversity and strengthening. Biophilic connections will be abundant, whether it is in the heat of summer or the biting cold of winter.
Equitable Community:
My connection to the site includes my identity as a student within the architectural community, a citizen of Norman, and a frequent visitor of the OU Duck Pond. So, to make access to this space EQUITABLE to the COMMUNITY the project seeks to not limit access to specific hours. So that even those with unorthodox learning styles and schedules are provided opportunities
Wellness:
With its placement, the WELLNESS of visitors is being approached. In that, for some they don’t get access to nature or the Sun enough. So, a space attached to a walk is a bit of intended exercise and fresh air. Dangerous materials will be avoided, so that while within the space, visitors can work on refreshing themselves through their mind, body, and souls. With incredibly adjacency to the outdoors, plants that will enrich the user experience.
Sustainability
Integration:
Focusing more agricultural this project will itself into the sheltered attachment nature. With off the balance creation and that encouraged to hand.
Resources:
Only sustainable materials will be employed, as the hypocrisy of creating such a pocket of secure nature then shielding it in the very substances known for their environmental damage would be certainly unwise. As such, RESOURCES will be placed under scrutiny to ensure and promote zero waste life cycles, and to support long term life cycles
Economy:
ECONOMY efficient materials and design processes will be heavily focused on materials that avoid the cheap and plastic qualities that so often get utilized to cut corners. Though direct cashflow might not be significant, the overarching educational return on investment will be the primary return on investment.
Change:
Though it might botanical research formation of its placement site will ensure that lesser imprint upon resides within. Though and the increased campus, a CHANGE come. So, ensuring and the availability for natural growth building is retrofitted Energy With an intent and uninterrupted consumption will higher than most other its type. Though concentration on sive design systems, hanging fruit that design processes
Integration:
Focusing on a agricultural topic, will INTEGRATE the site by giving attachment to a concept based balance of manmade that which is only grow by a shaping hand.
Discovery:
As a building designed in accordance with DISCOVERY, the sustainability focus will instruct and educate those who interact with the project. Allowing their internal libraries to have the knowledge of these practices for their own future endeavors. In addition to monitoring the post occupancy reports and adjusting ensure efficient and effective operation.
Change: might not always be a research center, the placement on the that it maintains a upon the park it Though with time, increased sprawl of the CHANGE is sure to ensuring support systems availability of these spaces works even if the retrofitted later on.
Energy: intent of continuous uninterrupted use, ENERGY will be obviously other buildings of Though with higher orientation, passystems, and the lower that more modern processes allow.
Water:
Placed along such a distinct WATER body, the path of flow will be enshrined and catered to. With sections of the shoreline being utilized to ensure and support the continual flow of the water that is the life blood of all organisms on this planet.
