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11th Annual Cougar 100 Honors Hines College Alumni
The 11th Cougar 100 Awards spotlights the fastest-growing companies founded or led
by UH graduates, strengthening the network of Cougar entrepreneurs and emphasizing
the importance of alumni collaboration in the business world. This year, alumni from
the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design once again secured well-deserved
places on the list.
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Alumni Spotlight: Justin Taplet (B.Arch. and B.S. '08)
Justin Taplet grew up with a mother who served in the military and moved around often
as a kid, experiencing new cities and their architecture. The experience inspired
him to study architecture in a large city, making the Hines College a natural fit.
To students, he shared: "Your story is your own. Embrace who you are and where you
have been. Your career is not a race."
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Alumni Spotlight: Vishwesh Panchal (M.Arch. '16)
Vishwesh Panchal grew up in a household that appreciated art and construction, leading
him to a career in architecture. He shared, "Pursuing a Master of Architecture degree
at the Hines College opened doors to new perspectives and opportunities."
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Alumni Spotlight: Jes Deaver, AIA (M.Arch. '16)
A principal and partner at Nick Deaver Jes Deaver Architecture, Deaver also contributes
stories and articles to a number of publications like Texas Architect magazine and The Architect's Newspaper. She also shared, "The confidence and passion for sharing my ideas is something I
began to build as a student at the Hines College."
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Alumni Spotlight: Kadmiel Konan (B.S. '23)
Growing up on the Ivory Coast, Kadmiel Konan (B.S. '23) always had an interest in
technology and design. His interests in design has helped him hone a variety of skills
that go beyond the role of a traditional industrial designer, having worked on projects
for clients like Snap-on, Tabasco, NOV, and KOCH.
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Alumni Spotlight: Jessica Valdez (B.Arch. '14)
Jessica Valdez's (B.Arch. '14) design journey went from being a fan of home makeover
shows while growing up to finding her passion and career as a healthcare planner at
Page. One important lesson she learned at the Hines College is that "every design
decision should have a purpose."
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Unboxing Gentrification
Hines College alum Paul Molina (B.S. ’19) received a Fulbright award to explore displacement
in Mexico City caused by gentrification, using the Chicano aesthetic of rasquachismo. His project involves creating scenic installations to represent the cultural memories
of displaced families.
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Alumni Spotlight: Mariel Piña (B.S. '11)
Mariel Pîna (B.S. '11) always wanted to pursue a career that merged her passions for
creativity and helping people. Of her time at the Hines College, she said, "I learned
from lectures, experimentation, and, sometimes, failure. Working in a creative environment
with high standards prepared me for the professional world of design."
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Alumni Spotlight: Nicholas Orchard (B.S. '18)
Industrial design alum Nicholas Orchard (B.S. '18) shared advice to students: "No
matter what anyone else is doing, think for yourself, interpret things however you
see fit, and do what you think is right. Trust yourself. Even failures are achievements
if you use them as learning opportunities."
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Alumni Spotlight: Tarek Moubayed (M.Arch. '23)
Recent graduate Tarek Moubayed (M.Arch. '23) now works as an architect at AECOM. He
said he pursued his studies at the Hines College because: "Design, in and of itself,
is a process of bringing people together to solve problems... This is the kind of
environment I felt I was exposed to at the College, and it is one I am grateful for."
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Alumni Spotlight: Andres A. Pacheco (M.Arch. '03)
Andres A. Pacheco (M.Arch. '03) recently won three AIA Awards for his work as a senior
associate at VMDO Architects. "Being able to work on any project at hand is what truly
motivates me the most every day. I am so thankful for that opportunity," he shared.
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New On Board: PDR Principal Marc Bellamy
This spring, industry leader and alumnus Marc Bellamy (B.Arch. '00) joins the Hines
College's Leadership Council as the advisory group continues to advance the College's
strategic initiatives.
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Alumni Spotlight: Andre Simapranata (B.Arch. '12)
Andre Simapranata (B.Arch. '12) recently completed a project in Bali, a residential
villa called Tanatakah. He said, "The Hines College fully prepared me with the skills
to take on this kind of project and see it through."
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Hines College Alum Honored for Historic Preservation Legacy
Preservation Houston honored alumnus David Bucek, FAIA (’90), with the 2024 President’s
Award. The recognition spotlights the Hines College alumnus’ commitment to safeguarding
Houston’s historic and influential architectural past.
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Alumni Spotlight: Micki Washington (M.Arch. '04)
Micki Washington (M.Arch. '04) is the Workplace Strategy and Change Management Lead
for the Americas at BP. Her work includes developing strategies for businesses and
gathering research on a variety of topics that include inclusive design practices,
workplace trends, real estate statistics, and more.
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Celebrating a Legacy of Urban Planning
On February 6, 2024, the City of Houston proclaimed a day in honor of Margaret Wallace
Brown's (B.S.' 83) service to the City and her retirement as the Department of Planning
and Development director.
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10th Annual Cougar 100 Honors Hines College Alumni
On February 27th, the University of Houston and the University of Houston Alumni Association
gathered on campus at the Moores Opera House for a milestone year honoring UH's fastest-growing
alumni-owned and operated business.
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Alumni Spotlight: William Williams ('89)
William Williams' ('89) time at UH helped him learn to collaborate with others. He
said, "The Hines College has always been one of the most diverse programs in the country,
and I mean that in ways beyond its clear racial diversity."
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Alumni Spotlight: Fernando Brave (M.Arch. '88)
An accomplished architect, Fernando Brave (M.Arch '88) reflects on his firm's practices:
"I am particularly fond of the fact that we primarily serve community-based projects.
We work with clients whose missions are, in different ways, to improve the quality
of life in the region."
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Alumni Spotlight: Cindy Villarreal ('07)
Cindy Villarreal, AIA, MBA, WELL AP ('07) finds her diverse work rewarding as well
as being an example of a minority woman architect. She said, "There were many voices
(and statistics) along the way that all said my becoming a registered architect was
highly unlikely, but the voice inside me that believed I would be was the loudest.
I hope to be that positive voice for someone."
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Alumni Spotlight: Sean Fleming (MAAS '20)
Sean Fleming (MAAS '20) studied architecture history before continuing his studies
at the Hines College. Now a photographer, he shared, "Many architectural photographers
I look up to were once architects themselves or formally studied design, and I believe
their education shows in their work."
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Alumni Spotlight: Alyse Makarewicz ('97)
Alyse Makarewicz ('97) studied architecture to combine her analytical and creative
strengths. Since then, she started her firm 18 years ago to help keep women in architecture.
Recently, AMB Architects was selected as AIA Houston's Firm of the Year 2023.
