STORIES

The Hines College team for has begun their journey to design and build a thermodynamic house for The Gateway Decathlon, fueled by multidisciplinary and industry collaboration. Learn about how faculty and students are working together and what's on the horizon for the project.

Hines College Professors Launch Shaping the Gulf Coast of Tomorrow Studio Tackling Regional Climate Challenges

Professors Dalia Munenzon and Matthew Johnson are launching a studio developed in partnership and funded with a $748,848 research grant from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Illuminating Safety

Motorcyclists face heightened risks, especially at night, due to their reduced visibility to other drivers. Project Legacy, an innovation in motorcycle safety developed by Hines College industrial design alum Khanh Vu (B.S. '24), addresses this issue with advanced lighting and smart detection systems designed to make riders more visible and reduce accident risks.

Award-Winning Design Within Environmental Contexts

Hines College Assistant Instructional Professor Sam Clovis and his co-founder at clovisbaronian, Georgina Baronian, assistant professor at the Rice School of Architecture has earned high honors in two international competitions recently for their proposals that emphasizes design in the context of their environments.

Alumni Spotlight: Justin Taplet (B.Arch. and B.S. '08)

Justin Taplet grew up with a mother who served in the military and moved around often as a kid, experiencing new cities and their architecture. The experience inspired him to study architecture in a large city, making the Hines College a natural fit. To students, he shared: "Your story is your own. Embrace who you are and where you have been. Your career is not a race."

Alumni Spotlight: Vishwesh Panchal (M.Arch. '16)

Vishwesh Panchal grew up in a household that appreciated art and construction, leading him to a career in architecture. He shared, "Pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at the Hines College opened doors to new perspectives and opportunities."

Retail Ready: Design Students Take Their Skills to Market

Hines College industrial design and architecture students show off their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit through a collaboration with local retailer, Space Montrose. Plus, students participate with their small businesses in the annual UH Holiday Market.

Forging a Future:
The Birth of BUILD+

Inspired by the work of the Graduate Design/Build Studio, the Hines College has established a non-profit, BUILD+. "BUILD+ will contribute significantly to the growth of more students from all disciplines of the Hines College while creating lasting improvements to Houston and the region," said professor Patrick Peters.

Alumni Spotlight:
Jes Deaver, AIA (M.Arch. '16)

A principal and partner at Nick Deaver Jes Deaver Architecture, Deaver also contributes stories and articles to a number of publications like Texas Architect magazine and The Architect's Newspaper.
She also shared, "The confidence and passion for sharing my ideas is something I began to build as a student at the Hines College."

Hines College Student Organizations You Should Know: American Institute of Architecture Students

 With innovations and challenges shaping our world, student organizations like the University of Houston American Institute of Architecture Students (UH AIAS) play a vital role in preparing aspiring architects for their future careers.

Creating Connections: Honors Society Shapes UH Design Students’ Futures

The Hines College inducted a remarkable 38 top students into the University’s Beta Delta chapter of the national Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and the Allied Arts. The Society is the sole national honor society for architecture and design majors holding accreditation from the Association of College Honor Societies.

Alumni Spotlight: Kadmiel Konan (B.S. '23)

Growing up on the Ivory Coast, Kadmiel Konan (B.S. '23) always had an interest in technology and design. His interests in design has helped him hone a variety of skills that go beyond the role of a traditional industrial designer, having worked on projects for clients like Snap-on, Tabasco, NOV, and KOCH.

Planting a Seed of Community and Sustainability

Brenda Castillo's (B.Arch. '24) project Village of the Levy: Switchgrass blends the power of design and storytelling. Her efforts have garnered local and national honors, including a Hines College Undergraduate Architecture Design Award and a 2024 Student Design Award from AIA Dallas.

Drafting Dreams: Laying a Foundation for Career Success

In architecture, learning never stops. The leap from theory to practice is essential for every architecture student, and internships are the key to making that transition. Eight Hines College students took these opportunities over the summer to immerse themselves in the industry, tackle real projects, form a professional network, and build up their skillset.