Oklahoma City University has selected Frankfurt Short Bruza (FSB), an Oklahoma City-based architecture and engineering firm, to redevelop the former Oklahoma High School into a usable educational facility for its School of Law.

“Oklahoma City University is committed to providing premier facilities for its students – both in design and functionality,” said Fred Schmidt, principal at FSB. “Our team will collaborate with university officials to ensure generations of future Oklahoma City University law students experience a first-class educational environment.”

Built in 1910, the former high school was purchased by Southwestern Bell in the 1980s and converted to office space. FSB is charged with returning the building to its educational purpose while keeping true to the building’s original design.

“Oklahoma High School was originally designed by Solomon Andrew Layton, who also designed the Oklahoma State Capitol,” said Jason Holuby, project manager at FSB. “We want to make the renovations necessary to provide Oklahoma City University with a top-notch law school while preserving the overall design of the current building. The function, layout and technology will change, but the look will stay consistent with the current style.”

Renovation plans include converting office space to classroom space and adding a courtroom, faculty, staff and administrative offices, space for Admissions, Student Services, Academic Achievement, Career Services, Law Centers, Law Clinics, Law Review, International Programs and Student Bar Association, a venue for meetings and events and a two-story library with café and collaboration rooms.

Oklahoma City University’s School of Law currently occupies 110,000 square feet in four buildings on the university’s campus. Moving the school downtown will increase space to more than 140,000 square feet. The move puts students and faculty within walking distance of a large legal community, including the Oklahoma County Courthouse, the Oklahoma City U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse and several law firms.

“FSB is highly professional and a pleasure to work with,” said Eric Laity, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at Oklahoma City University. “The firm’s wide range of engineering services is a plus. FSB is very committed to long-term relationships with their clients…and Oklahoma City University has been working with FSB for more than ten years.”