Industrial design students at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design have broken their own record in this year’s international FIT Sport Design Awards. Nine students won a total of twelve awards, up from six students and awards in 2023. The annual competition calls for both professional and student work, shining a spotlight on designs that are innovative, performance-enhancing, sustainable, and accessible.

University of Houston industrial design student Ruaraidh Ferrier claimed second place in the prestigious 2025 Bienenstock Furniture Competition, marking another success for the Hines College in one of the nation’s most competitive student furniture design contests. Ferrier’s chair design, Arthur’s Seat, draws inspiration from an extinct volcano in Edinburgh, Scotland, known for its sweeping views and undulating slopes.

At the Hines College, resilience is a defining trait of who we are. This past year, our community demonstrated that spirit firsthand, adapting and working collaboratively through limited space and ongoing repairs to our building following Hurricane Beryl. Even amid challenges, our students and faculty continued to lead with purpose, designing solutions that strengthen, uplift, and prepare vulnerable communities for an uncertain future. Explore this issue of DIMENSION to see just how resilient the Hines College truly is.