Arguably the most recognizable building on the OU campus, the Bizzell Memorial Library highlights the South Oval on campus. The building has unique detail in the bricks and windows, which exemplify OU’s architectural style featured across campus. This is the first building I encountered when I first starting looking at OU as a potential place to go to college. Every time I walk by “The Biz” reminds me that I made the right decision for college.  I come here a lot if I need a distraction-free environment to get homework done or study for finals. The building is also equipped with a ground level with many study rooms and a lot of variety on each floor of the structure, such as the great reading room. – Rhett Baker

This building was first constructed in 1718 as a meager, lowly church of Saint Louis. Initially named after a saint, this structure was finally lifted to the rank of cathedral only after it adopted the name of a famous French King of the time *Wink Wink*. On its third completion in 1789,  the Basilica of Saint Louis stood as a monument to the catholic faith and the center of Catholicism in the New World.  However, after  Napoleon decided that Louisiana and French holdings in America should be used for domination of Europe, the United States adopted the church in New Orleans and put it…. under new management.  Fast forward 230 years later to the first time that I had visited New Orleans and this beautiful church; It hadn’t changed a bit. Although there was vomit practically everywhere and drunks littered the street, the essence of such a beautiful building still reigned as a majestic sight and easily the most captivating site in the French quarter. While it was not my intention to gaze upon such a grand example of architecture, I had little choice in the matter. My entourage saw it befitting to go celebrate the Sooners throttling of the Auburn tigers in that years Sugar Bowl, I elected not to get drunk and make a fool out off myself, but rather, take in the sites and delve as deeply as I could into the culture of the big easy. I made my way over to the courtyard that held this particular cathedral and threw rocks into the putrid smelling bay the borders the French quarter. Once I was content with tiring myself out and   couldn’t find rocks that were suited for that venture, I turned to see the light glider off saint Louis at just the right time, however, may attempts to capture such a motivating sight were to no avail and were fruitless to say the least. I sat there for over an hour taking in every bit of the cathedral and pondering at its majesty amongst the more fowl smelling and degenerate buildings that surrounded it.

It was a hot, sweltering mid- day in Santa Fe, NM. albeit ONLY 96 degrees,  the ever resilient rays of the New Mexico sun were bearing down like their sole purpose was to force me into a heat stroke of apocalyptic proportion. Ahead, I saw my destination; a beautiful white church in downtown Santa Fe. I gathered up enough courage to walk the extra 40 steps to its entrance and opened the door to this astounding building. A crisp, cool breeze struck me in the face like a heavy weight boxer who had been taking performance enhancing drugs for the better part of a decade. After I collected myself, I walked through another entrance of the church enjoying a nice cool environment and the cooling relief of an $8 Dasani water. As I pierced the barrier of the of an overarching doorway. I felt a different, almost holy vibe to the stillness of the air. I had walked into the main portion of the Lorreto Chapel in Downtown Santa Fe. This chapel was built in the early 1500’s by the sisters of the of Lorreto; although they credit St. Joesph with its erection. The Lorreto chapel was destroyed and reconstructed at least 3 times and opened its final time in 1878, known primarily for its nail-less, wooden spiral staircase, this colonial building is awe-inspiring and is one of the few buildings in Santa Fe that have a $5 charge for an ATM withdrawal. Despite being overcharged for nearly everything in the gift shop attached to the chapel, I had a great experience learning about its history and the architecture that went into building it. If you are ever wondering where you can find a $1 water bottle for $8, I would go to the Lorreto Chapel and step into my shoes as you marvel the beautiful infrastructure of the church and peruse the nailless staircase.

In 2010, my family and I took a vacation across the southern skirt of the extremely beautiful and wonderous state of Colorado. Along our way, we discovered an absolute trove of tranquil landscapes, captivating mountains, and immaculate structures left behind by the ancient people who roamed the land over a thousand of years of ago. I found it only fitting to start my Blog post with one of the most awe-inspiring buildings that I have ever seen, and in my opinion, trumps even the most studious sky scraper built in Modern times. This building was first constructed around 450 B.C. by the ancient Puebloan people of modern day south-west United States. Abandoned by its ancient inhabitants around 1200 A.D., it was rediscovered in 1888 and preserved as a National Park in 1906. All in all, Mesa Verde has over 600 stone structures and cliff dwellings throughout the national park, but the one that I am focusing on today stands above the rest as a true wonder amongst the many other structures. The Cliff Palace has an astonishing 150 rooms and is the largest cliff dwelling in the park. Having been built into a literal cliff face, the Cliff Palace has over 18 separate kivas and requires 8- 8×10 Ft ladders just to traverse its stunning exterior. When you first approach the landing area before taking the 20-foot climb down to the actual structure, you can’t help to be blown away by the sheer magnitude of the dwelling. These people were truly geniuses of their time and it was an overwhelmingly monumental task of construction given the ancient tools at their disposal. These ancient people had to be nimble and required a certain level of balance only comparable to a modern olympic gymnasts. They were a truly remarkable people and the amount of hard work and dedication that it took to build a structure of this size took not only skill, but perseverance and a will to survive. I have visited Mesa Verde and the Cliff Palace twice since my first excursion there and each time is like a brand new experience and the awe of the structures reveals a beauty unlike any other. If I had my way about it, I would take a least two trips to Mesa Verde a year and absorb all I could about this wonderful and inspiring venue.

Grand Theatre of Ephesus

This Theatre is the location of the apostle Paul’s last sermon to the Ephesians. The city its self is an archaeological phenomenon and one of the most incredible places to visit. Ephesus was one of the most technologically advanced cities in ancient history. This theatre still stands tall and strong after being buried for thousands of years. The acoustics from the stage allowed visitors at the top row to hear without microphones from a normal speaking voice.

St Peters Basilica

The skyscraper ceilings and infinite detail of St.Peter’s Basilica strike you as you enter the Vatican City. It is breathtaking as you walk what seems like a mile to get the center of the cathedral. The acoustics ceilings, walls, floors were handcrafted for decades to make one of the most gorgeous buildings the world has and will ever see.

Parthenon

One of the largest temples ever constructed in Greece. The Parthenon was built for the goddess Athena in 5th century. I was able to visit these ruins that are still in great shape for its age. The picture does not do the Parthenon any justice for its vastness. We walked up a very steep hill just to get to the site and once we were there it overlooked much of the Athens.

Pantheon

I am one of the lucky students that have been able to see and experience the beautiful Roman Architecture. One of my favorite locations was the Pantheon. Standing under the giant columns you realize the amount of weight that some floats above you. As you walk in the giant doorway you enter a room full of incredible light and the largest ancient dome sits above your head. I found it interesting that they still aren’t sure what this building was constructed for.

My Freshman year of high school I went on a trip to St. Louis, and got to go to the St. Louis City Museum. It was the craziest building I had ever seen and experienced. They made something out of anything, and it just kept you thinking the whole time how and sometimes even why did they build that! I think that would have been a fun project to be a part of. The museum is an interesting piece of architecture, and was a great experience to encounter.

I have been to the Loyd Noble several of times, but I have never experienced it like I did when I was a kid. My first basketball game ever to go to was an OU basketball game to watch Blake Griffin. The stadium was electric and on of the loudest I have witnessed. (I was 10 at the time I think). Ever since then I have been fascinated with sports stadiums, and their ability to get large amounts of people so energized in one setting. Today I go to the games at Loyd Noble quiet often, but still have not beat that first experience.