University of Houston (UH) Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design professor Daniel Jacobs' innovative project OPEN-GROUND: Public Space as Climate Infrastructure offers a new vision for urban resilience. Along with Brittany Utting (Rice University), co-founder with Jacobs of the design research practice, HOME-OFFICE, and co-investigators Daniel Floryan (UH), and Kelly Huang (UH), the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Upjohn Research Initiative recently awarded the team a $15,000 grant to pursue their research.

Emine Canak (M.Arch. '16) has always been passionate about how spaces shape human experiences. Now the founder and principal designer of E Plus Interiors, her design philosophy is to create soulful, thoughtful spaces that reflect her clients. To students, she advises, "Go beyond studio walls, socialize, attend events, and connect with creative minds. Design is how you see and respond to the world."

Claudia Morles (B.Arch. '19) recently got her master's in production design. A film she worked on, Red Egg and Ginger, had its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival on June 8. She said, "My background in architecture gave me a solid understanding of space and how people move through it, how it affects emotion, and how different elements relate to one another physically and visually. That foundation really helped as I shifted into designing for story-driven, cinematic environments."