Now Available: The Spring 2026 Issue of DIMENSION Magazine
As environmental, technological, and social challenges continue to reshape our communities, the Hines College is expanding how we think about the future of design education, research, and practice. This issue, Designing What’s Next, highlights faculty and students whose work is opening new directions for a changing world, from climate adaptation and post-oil futures to historic preservation, cultural sustainability, and emerging approaches to landscape and resilience.
Holding Ground in a Changing Climate
Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras earned first place in the The Ecological Design Challenge student category for Aftercast, a modular bench system that reimagines site furniture as ecological infrastructure. Developed in a studio, the project addresses flooding and erosion by stabilizing soil, guiding water flow, and supporting plant life.
Hines College Alumni Make Their Mark on Cougar 100
On April 21, the University of Houston and the University of Houston Alumni Association celebrated the 12th Annual Cougar 100 Awards, recognizing the fastest-growing businesses owned or led by UH alumni. The annual program highlights the strength of the Cougar entrepreneurial community and the lasting impact of alumni connections across industries. Hines College alumni accounted for ten percent of the top 100 companies recognized this year.