University of Houston Architecture and Design Alumni Association

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University of Houston Architecture and Design Alumni Association

To create a life-long alumni network through connections and service that enhances pride and promotes the relevancy of design.

06/15/2026

Hines College Dean Patricia Belton Oliver, FAIA was recognized during the 71st Annual UH Alumni Awards Ceremony for her years of leadership and service to the University of Houston and upcoming retirement. 🌟 🎉

The evening celebrated distinguished UH alumni for their impact on the University and broader community. Joining Dean Oliver were members of the UH Architecture + Design Alumni Association, representatives from Powers Brown Architecture, a Hines College scholarship recipient, staff, and friends of the College. 🐾

There’s still time to recognize outstanding alumni making an impact through architecture and design for the UH Architecture + Design Alumni Awards. Nominate yourself or a deserving alum for the UH Architecture + Design Alumni Awards before the deadline at https://bit.ly/43GCMVw!

06/12/2026

At the end of May, the UH Architecture + Design Alumni Association hosted a happy hour at Angel's Share in downtown Houston. Coogs packed the bar to catch up and make new connections with some of the newest alumni — the Class of 2026! 🌟 🐾 🍾

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it, and stay tuned for the next meet-up.

05/28/2026

Hines College alumna Ashley Chiarelli (B.Arch. ’12, B.S. ’12, M.S. ’23) is helping shape the future of design as Associate Partner and Director of Strategy and Foresight at Kirksey Architecture, guiding organizations through complex decisions long before design begins.

“Whether your path leads to a traditional practice or somewhere nobody has mapped yet, the skills you are developing … will carry you there,” Chiarelli said.

Read this month’s Alumni Spotlight at https://bit.ly/4adRuas. 🐾

05/06/2026

The Hines College is proud to introduce the jury for the 2026 Architecture and Design Alumni Awards. 🏆

Elisa Hernández Skaggs, AIA (M.Arch. ’92); Micki Washington, NCARB, NCIDQ, LEED AP, NOMA, AIA, IIDA (M.Arch. ’04); and Mason Bonar, IDSA (B.S. ’08) will lead the selection of this year’s award recipients, recognizing excellence across five categories.

The awards celebrate alumni making an impact through leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and design.

Know an alum doing outstanding work? Submit a nomination by June 26. 🐾

Learn more about our jury at https://bit.ly/43GCMVw.

04/29/2026

A bench that does more than provide a place to sit. 🌿

Hines College student Gustavo Gonzalez Contreras’ award-winning project "Aftercast" earned first place in the student category of the The Ecological Design Challenge, sponsored by QCP. It reimagines site furniture as ecological infrastructure, responding to Houston’s flooding and erosion by stabilizing soil, guiding water, and supporting plant life.

“The main idea was to rethink a bench as more than just seating and instead treat it as ecological infrastructure,” Gonzalez Contreras said.

Developed in the ARCH 5500: Ecology + Infrastructure studio led by Roya Plauché, director of the environmental design program, the project reflects a systems-based approach to design.

“What stands out most is how Gustavo translated ecological research into a practical and highly legible design proposal,” Plauché said.

Read more at https://bit.ly/4tNXn6i. 🐾

04/28/2026

Hines College alumni are making their mark. Ten Cougar-led businesses from our community were recognized in this year’s Cougar 100, celebrating the fastest-growing companies led by University of Houston graduates. Join us in congratulating these outstanding alumni and their continued success. 🐾🌟

From architecture and fabrication to sustainability and design services, these alumni are shaping industries and driving impact through entrepreneurship and innovation.

#11 Moment Architects
Matthew Giardina (B.Arch. ’11, M.B.A. ’17)
Moe Moe Giardina (B.Arch. ’11, B.S. ’11)

#19 SMC Landscaping Services
Sonia Chavez (’02)
Lupe Gonzalez (B.Arch. ’00, B.S. ’00)

#22 Aria Signs & Design, LLC
Shaya Attaei (B.Arch. ’13, M.Arch. ’15)

#31 Hybrid Fab
Frank Martin (B.S. ’12)

#33 Protolab Architects
Michael Gonzalez (B.Arch. ’08, B.S. ’08)

#37 Albarran Architects
Franco Albarran (B.Arch. ’99)

#50 G. Lyon Photography
Geoffrey Lyon (B.Arch. ’97)
Jennifer Murray (M.A. ’22)

#51 THR3E Design
Jennifer Higgins (B.Arch. ’07)
Barry Leong (B.Arch. ’00, B.S. ’00)

#56 GreeNexus Consulting, LLC
Amanda Tullos (B.Arch. ’03)

#88 H4 Architects and Engineers, LLC
Allan Hensley (’03, M.Arch. ’04)
Sherie Hensley (’98)

Read more at https://bit.ly/4tFJrez.

04/27/2026

Celebrate the impact of Hines College alumni by submitting a nomination for the Architecture + Design Alumni Awards. 🏆

Presented by the University of Houston Architecture + Design Alumni Association, these awards recognize excellence across five categories, from distinguished professional achievement to innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and emerging talent.

Do you know an alum making a difference in design, their community, or the profession? Nominate them and help us highlight the work shaping our world.

Submissions are open through June 26. 🐾

Send your nomination at https://bit.ly/43GCMVw.

04/22/2026

This month's Alumni Spotlight features Fallon Marie Barrett, NOMA, Assoc. AIA (B.S. ’08, B.Arch. ’13). As secretary of the Houston chapterof the National Organization of Minority Architects, she helped raise $60,000 in support of scholarships and chapter initiatives and was recognized as the organization’s 2025 Member of the Year.

In her role with the City of Houston, she leads projects that support public employees and historical preservation efforts. Fallon is making an impact in Houston and beyond through her leadership and service. 🌟

To students, she advises, “If you see this profession in your future, keep pushing forward… stay flexible and open-minded.”

Read her spotlight at https://bit.ly/3QzcTnB. 🐾

03/29/2026

From student to educator, Jackie Barry (BFA ’89, M.Arch. ’92) has built a career grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the design process. Today, as a professor and program coordinator, she is shaping future designers while staying actively engaged in practice. 🐾 🌟

“Some of my best memories from school came from working alongside classmates… That collaborative mindset continues to be just as important in professional practice.”

Read her spotlight at https://bit.ly/4lQznvS.

Address

4200 Elgin Street
Houston Heights, TX
77009

Telephone

+17137437014

Website

http://www.uh.edu/architecture/alumni/

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