Hines Mentors

The ULI Hines Student Design Competition offers graduate students the opportunity to form multidisciplinary teams and engage in a challenging exercise in responsible land use. Teams of five students pursuing degrees in at least three different disciplines have two weeks to devise a development program for a real, large-scale site in a North American city. Teams provide graphic boards and narratives of their proposals including designs and market-feasible financial data.

Local Hines Volunteers

The ULI Americas Hines competition takes place in January. Please consider volunteering your time as a mentor to one of the University of Texas teams. This is a rewarding exercise for everyone involved and a great way to give back to the profession.  The University of Texas School of Architecture and the McCombs School of Business assemble student teams comprised of landscape architects, architects, planners and MBA students. ULI Americas will select a site, announced on the first morning of the competition, and the students will have two weeks to prepare a comprehensive design and development program for a real, large-scale site full of challenges and opportunities. Previous sites have been in Cleveland, Minneapolis, Chicago, Nashville and New Orleans.

As a mentor volunteer, you will be paired with a University of Texas student team and other mentors in development/ landscape architecture/ architecture/ engineering. The time commitment is flexible and determined by each individual team. This is an excellent way to give back to academia, in addition to networking and recruitment benefits.

In February, the jury will make final selections and in April, four finalist teams will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for the students to the host city to present revised proposals. The University of Texas has had many teams selected as finalists over recent years, including winning the top prize in 2017 and 2022, two finalist teams in 2019, and a finalist team in 2005, 2008, 2014, and 2024.

Contacts:

Chair: Rebecca Leonard, Lionheart
Staff Liason: Cheryl McOsker, ULI Austin

PRIOR COMPETITIONS

2024 Hines Competition Results

In 2024, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Austin was named a finalist in the prestigious ULI Hines Student Competition for their proposal, “The Stitch.” This visionary project reimagined a 15.4-acre underutilized site in downtown Seattle into a vibrant, mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood. Focusing on accessibility, social equity, and resiliency, “The Stitch” aimed to reconnect fragmented urban areas by repurposing existing structures and enhancing connectivity. The team, comprising students from UT’s School of Architecture and McCombs School of Business, was one of only four selected from 59 teams nationwide to advance to the finals, earning a $10,000 prize and national recognition.

About the 2024 Competition
UT Austin Entry

2022 Hines Competition Results

In 2022, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Austin won the prestigious ULI Hines Student Competition with their visionary proposal, “The Stack.” The project reimagined a four-block site in downtown Oakland, California, into a LEED Platinum, transit-oriented development centered on three pillars: health, culture, and connection. By integrating mixed-income housing, green infrastructure, and cultural programming, the team aimed to create a thriving, inclusive community reflective of Oakland’s diverse heritage. Their innovative approach to urban redevelopment earned them the $50,000 top prize and national recognition.

About the 2022 Competition
UT Austin Entry

2019 Hines Competition Results

In 2019, two interdisciplinary teams from the University of Texas at Austin were named finalists in the prestigious ULI Hines Student Competition for their proposals, “The Landing” and “Cincinnati United.” “The Landing” envisioned a sustainable, mixed-use district along Cincinnati’s riverfront, emphasizing green infrastructure and renewable energy to align with the city’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2035. “Cincinnati United” proposed transforming the riverfront into a vibrant cultural hub, integrating a new boardwalk and Freedom Hall to celebrate diversity and foster community engagement. Both projects showcased UT Austin’s commitment to innovative urban design and earned national recognition.

About the 2019 Competition
UT Austin Entry

2017 Hines Competition Results

In 2017, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Austin clinched first place in the prestigious ULI Hines Student Competition with their visionary proposal, “Rooted.” The project reimagined a Chicago site as a vibrant, inclusive hub centered on food culture, manufacturing, and education. By leveraging Chicago’s rich history in food production and distribution, the team designed a mixed-use development that fosters community engagement and economic growth. “Rooted” stood out for its innovative approach to urban redevelopment, earning the team a $50,000 prize and national recognition.

About the 2017 Competition
UT Austin Entry