Gallier Hall was designed by James Gallier and was erected in 1853 on St. Charles St. at Lafayette Square. It was New Orleans City Hall for over a century. It took 8 years to construct since they ran into financial troubles. The police were the first to move into the building during construction. The tuckahoe marble Greek Revival building has two rows of fluted ionic columns. The hall is still used for civics and many events from art galleries to Mardi Gras acting as a convention center. It is a very important local landmark and even has Jefferson Davis and General Beauregard buried there. It was a place on congregation and revival especially during Reconstruction and while Huey Long was in office. It was declared a national historic landmark in 1974.It remains an important aspect of New Orleans culture, including the spot of mayoral inaugurations. Almost every parade stops in front of the hall to pay respects to those who are buried and the rich history which it has stood for.

The St. Charles Hotel was designed by James Gallier and is located on St. Charles Ave. This is important since it was the first large building outside the prominent area that ended at Canal Street. It was a grand Greek Revival building completed in 1837. The hotel brought prominence to the area, growing its wealth and culture. There were six Corinthian columns on the façade, skirted with marble steps and topped with a dome. At the time the dome was only smaller than the Capitol in Washington. In the dome was a gallery surrounded by ionic columns and a view of the city. The hotel was destroyed by a fire in 1851 and rebuilt with almost an identical appearance. It was modernized and enlarged to accommodate more guests. In 1894 it burned again and was rebuilt with a Breaux Arts appearance famous for its lit mezzanine. In 1974 it was demolished and later replaced by Place St Charles tower in 1984.

The original architecture was grand and drew not only wealth and elegance, but also the culture of the city as an expanding site. It became a stop for all notable city visitors and events such as Mardi Gras. It built what became the American Sector of New Orleans. Gallier used the power of architecture to bring people together, promote the city and commerce, and produce something that the locals make into something so grand it can only be experienced there.

James Gallier designed the row house style Pontalba Buildings. Micaela who inherited a fortune commissioned the project, and her son Gaston is thought to have designed the notable ironwork around the balconies. This is a great example of architecture which was declared a national historic monument and is located around Jackson Square in New Orleans. There are 4 levels to the buildings, with the ground floor dedicated to shops and the upper to residential apartments. The 4th floor was the attic until converted to more apartments in 1993. Over the years the ground floor has been converted back and forth from residential and commercial; its been commercial since the 1970s.

The buildings have gone through several rebuilds and major renovations. Storms have damaged the buildings over the years along with the rest of New Orleans. The fire of 1788 destroyed much of the city and also these buildings. In 1993 massive renovations were started to upgrade the electric, plumbing, and HVAC. The original style and façade have maintained the original appearance since initial construction. The interior has only gone through minimal changes to keep the historic appearance.

James Gallier designed the Greek Revival style church with Charles and James Dakin. It was built from 1836-1837 in Mobile, Alabama. This is a great example of architecture which was declared a national historic landmark in 1992. The façade is a distyle in antis, where the flanking walls extended to the front of the portico. The exterior entrance has modest Ionic pillars, but inside the sanctuary there are ornate Corinthian pillars. The side walls have large full size windows to allow light and the front and rear are solid walls. The balcony skirts the sanctuary with a large area on the back wall for an organ framed with more pillars. The original pews are still in the sanctuary which is remarkable. It’s dark black walnut accents the white well. The coffered ceiling adds depth to the room. I personally like this example of Gallier’s work since it has been preserved so well and continues to be used.

Gallogly Hall is significant because it is the engineering building that was built while I attended the University. I can remember back to when I was touring and it there was just a green space, to being roped off and all the way through construction. Even though I wasn’t involved in any way with the erection I feel connected to it. It is a modern and design with a central staircase and large open atrium similar to Devon Energy Hall.

This building speaks to me as the future for engineering and OU. Not only the design with large open lecture rooms where the professor is central and large lab spaces but also there’s new subject matter being taught. Gallogly Hall houses the Biomedical Engineering College which is the newest discipline. I’m glad to see the progress and can’t wait for what’s to come.

This building has small pyramids at the front door which made it seem grand and the most important in the quad. It was the first engineering building and houses the directors office for my major, mechanical engineering. I was impressed with how well it has aged. The modern gothic style with engineers crest above the doors makes it timeless. Felgar Hall tips it’s hat to the engineers that work inside, with the little accents at the entrances.

This entrance shown became very important to me since I would enter it when going from the shop to the office on race team business. There were many good times from walking over to attend admin meetings to receiving an email that we received a package. I feel purpose when entering that I’m going to accomplish my goal which makes this building on campus stand alone.

Devon is the building that made an impact on me when I originally visited the campus. Last week I discussed the REPF which I knew would become a second home, but the size of Devon impressed me. It is the statement of where I could expect the engineering college to go towards in the future.

Red brick along the steel beams accents the windows and makes the building seem tall and even stronger than Sarkeys across the street with a broader base and open foyer entrance. The terrace on the top floor has a grand view of the stadium and feels like you’re governing over the quad especially with a sweet breeze.

Some of my more important coursework was learned in Devon and Its been a testament to higher learning. The greenspace used to be larger, but a newer building have been added, and it speak towards the future.

The REPF is where engineering competition teams work. It’s become the most important building on campus for myself and where I spend most of my time. Even with the changes due to covid this building carries something special. I’ve made many memories here along with three race cars over my tenor at the university. When I think about the REPF I see a group of like-minded students who have sacrificed their time and energy to grow and build together. Despite differences our comradery grows.

At first glance the open area and clean modern style is breathtaking, especially in comparison to the facilities at competing universities. The large bay doors open up to the inviting large open space for engineering design and fabrication. The pillars accentuate the doors and the buildings with large windows. With the doors opening to the busiest street around the building everyone peers in which showcases each teams work.