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.

Fallon Marie Barrett (B.S. ’08, B.Arch. ’13) is an Assistant Project Manager with the City of Houston. A dedicated member of the National Organization of Minority Architects, she brings a people-centered approach to her work while continuing her path toward architectural licensure. Her story highlights resilience, community, and the many career paths shaped by a Hines College education.

Hines College students continue their award-winning momentum, earning top honors at the 2025 AIA Fort Worth Student Design Awards for the fifth consecutive year. Recognized for projects that address real-world challenges through innovation, sustainability, and cultural awareness, these works reflect the College’s commitment to design as a socially responsive and forward-thinking practice.