By observing the power of customer service at his dad’s dental practice and gaining hands-on engineering training in his grandfather’s garage, Dawson Danner discovered a passion for architecture. Flex-Ability Concepts backs Danner’s education and profession as the latest recipient of the Flex-Ability Concepts University of Oklahoma scholarship program. This is the 24th year Flex-Ability Concepts has offered a scholarship to OU architectural students.

Danner noted, “When I was young, I would hang out in my grandfather’s garage. My grandfather, Jack, was an engineer and had an awesome workshop of all different machines, gadgets and mechanical contraptions of his own invention. It grew my interest in building and creating things. My dad, Russell, has a dental practice that has helped me understand the importance of client interaction and relationship building.”

Danner graduated in May from the master’s program at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at OU. As an Oklahoma City native, Danner chose OU because of his love of campus and the OU traditions. 

Danner is particularly interested in creating experiences and immersive spaces, such as zoos and theme parks. He says he likes the idea of immersing someone so far into a space that they forget that they are in a man-made place. Danner notes, “In the particular case of a zoo, not only is it good for the animal to be fully immersed in what feels like their natural habitat, but it also gives the guest a brief sense of the natural world that is worth protecting.” 

He draws his motivation from his own trips. Danner has visited 35 zoos in 20 states and three countries. Traveling has opened his eyes to many different walks of life. 

“I really enjoy studying history and applying that knowledge or theory to something I can see in real life,” Danner said. “Traveling has certainly given me a new perspective on life and architecture in general. It has given me an appreciation for discovery, learning and human interaction unlike ever before.”

Danner described his architectural style as rooted deeply in research, thoughtfully tailored toward the user, with a pinch of whimsy and out-of-the box ideas. While he did not know about Flex-Ability Concepts prior to the scholarship process, he said, “I have learned that curves are realistic and affordable and they can be used efficiently in many designs.”

In his downtime, Danner can be found watching movies, golfing and enjoying musicals. He has a twin sister, Holly, and they share a birthday with their mom, Melinda. Danner plans to move to Louisiana with the full support of his family. He noted, “My family has helped me discover my creativity, channel that into my schoolwork, as well as helped me to prepare for a career post-graduation.”

Frank Wheeler, an owner of Flex-Ability Concepts, added, “We cannot wait to see the spaces that Dawson develops and to support him as he creates movement, function and flow in all types of facilities.”

For more information about Flex-Ability Concepts and its products for commercial and residential applications, visit flexabilityconcepts.com.