A Future Built on Flexibility
Exploring concepts behind adaptable furniture and micro-living solutions
by Stephen Schad • April 15, 2025
above: A DRAWING FROM LENE FOURIE'S Fan House PROJECT.
When Lene Fourie and Marta Rodriguez entered the MICROHOME competition, they were not just submitting a design but proposing a new way of living. Now that she has been selected as a top interior design student in the METROPOLIS Future100 list, Fourie’s work in interior architecture is gaining international recognition. The honor places her among the most promising young designers, strengthening her role as an innovator in adaptive and sustainable living solutions.
A student in the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design interior architecture program, Fourie collaborated with associate professor Marta Rodriguez on two groundbreaking projects: Fan House and Habitable Curtains. Each of these projects challenged conventional notions of space, fostering environments that evolve with human needs.
above: Images from FOURIE'S INSIDE OUTSIDE TRANSFORMABLE FURNITURE PROJECT
“I was inspired to investigate the concept of flexible living as I recognize the demand for versatile spaces that seamlessly adjust to the needs of their inhabitants,” shared Fourie. “Through my work, I aim to create dynamic, sustainable, and interactive environments that allow individuals to shape their surroundings based on their lifestyles.”
At the heart of Fourie’s design philosophy is the idea that living spaces should be as dynamic as the people who inhabit them. The Inside Outside Adaptable Furniture collection offers modular, multi-use pieces seamlessly transitioning between private retreats and collaborative workspaces. With elements like the Duodesk, Bookbench, and Seesaw, this series transforms spaces into interactive environments, encouraging both productivity and relaxation.
above: Images from FOURIE'S Habitable Curtains PROJECT
Meanwhile, Habitable Curtains redefines spatial boundaries through soft, adaptable walls serving as room dividers, interactive enclosures, or connective elements within micro-living spaces. Designed to appear and disappear as needed, these curtains make interiors more flexible, responding to the shifting needs of urban dwellers.
above: Images from FOURIE'S FAN HOUSE PROJECT
Perhaps the most ambitious of her works is Fan House, a mobile, collapsible home inspired by traditional traveling trunks. Designed for compact, off-grid living, the Fan House unfolds like a butterfly, with modular panels serving as sleeping quarters, workspaces, and even a self-contained shower system. The home integrates solar panels and a system of mirrors to enhance both sustainability and aesthetics, reflecting Rodriguez and Fourie’s commitment to eco-conscious design.
Fourie’s ability to merge functionality with playfulness is what sets her apart. Drawing inspiration from pioneers like Ken Isaacs, she crafts environments that are not just livable but also deeply engaging. Whether through furniture, fabric, or fully realized structures, her work invites inhabitants to take an active role in shaping their surroundings.
“The Metropolis Award is a testament to Lene’s ingenuity and the strength of our program in fostering groundbreaking ideas in interior architecture,” said Rodriguez. “Lene’s work is not only innovative but also profoundly human-centered.”
For Fourie, the Metropolis Award is just the beginning. As she continues to push the boundaries of design, her projects stand as blueprints for a future where space is fluid, adaptable, and deeply intertwined with how we live.
More College of Architecture and Design Stories
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.
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."
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."
