A $50,000 Idea

Reimagining the downtown post office with a pedestrian bridge that spans theBayou

A bustling Bayou Commons at night
Rendering courtesy UIL/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition
A mock-up of the pedestrian bridge that's an important feature of Bayou Commons.
Rendering courtesy UIL/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition
Bayou Commons links the post office site with its surrounding neighborhoods tocreate a diverse new community fully integrateds into the urban fabric.
Rendering courtesy UIL/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition
Public space, diversity and economic-viability were the central focus of BayouCommons, created by a joint team from the University of Colorado and Harvard.
Rendering courtesy UIL/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition
After visiting the site in March, the Colorado-Harvard team decided to add shademany of the pedestrian areas for those hot Houston summers.
Rendering courtesy UIL/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition
An example of the team's many design considerations
Rendering courtesy UIL/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition
Gerald D. Hines, for whom the competition is named, started the contest in 2003to encourage cooperation between designers and real estate experts. On Friday,he sat in the audience to watch the final presentations.
Purdue University

A team of students from the University of Colorado and Harvard University took home a $50,000 top prize in the Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition sponsored by the Urban Land Institute.

On Friday, in the black box theater of the Houston Ballet Center for Dance, a panel of competition judges from across the country examined four final projects that reimagined a 16-acre site along Buffalo Bayou that currently maintains the mid-century downtown post office that the U.S. government has thought of selling. Real estate development legend Gerald D. Hines, who helped to create the contest 10 years ago, sat in the crowd to watch the proceedings and hear the final winner.

"The entire jury believed that if there was ever a poster child for multidisciplinary cooperation in this competition, it was the Colorad o-Harvard team,” Richard Heapes said.

After a morning of presentations from each team, the jury chose Colorado-Harvard's "Bayou Commons" project for its thoughtful use of public space and attempt to integrate the diverse fabric of surrounding neighborhoods.

Initially named “Downtown BaYOU,” the team rebranded and greatly expanded its original hypothetical scheme following a tour of the site in early March. At the center of the plan is an iconic pedestrian bridge that spans the bayou and connects the site to downtown by way of a network of amply-shaded outdoor space that mitigates Houston's notoriously hot and humid climate.

“The entire jury believed that if there was ever a poster child for multidisciplinary cooperation in this competition, it was the Colorado-Harvard team,” jury member Richard Heapes of Street Works, a development company, said in a statement. “My own company is built to match this model. . . I constantly struggle for this type of interaction and cooperation.

"Seeing this team do this in action was truly inspirational.”

Bayou Commons is designed to be fully market driven and phased to ensure that each chapter of development creates a desirable place to live, work and interact. The master plan celebrates the city's unique culture with eye-catching architectural designs, an art center and a mixture of housing types to encourage a wide swath of demographics.

“We are all thrilled to have won the competition and at the same time humbled by the experience,” said team leader Chad Murphy, who is pursuing a master of business administration in real estate at the University of Colorado.

“The three other teams were really strong," Murphy said. "Seeing Mr. Hines at the presentation, witnessing the diversity of the jury, and seeing what jury members brought to the table was an incredible experience.”

The three other teams left Houston with $10,000 a piece — not too shabby.

In addition to Murphy, other Colorado-Harvard members included Michael Albert, master in landscape architecture, Harvard University; Victor Perez Amado, master in architecture, Harvard University; Alex Atherton, master of business administration in real estate, University of Colorado; and Anna Cawrse, master of landscape architecture, Harvard University.

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more than floors

70s revival and layers of style lead design expert's top tile trends

Home design trend tile wall Floor & Decor

Courtesy of Floor & Decor

In 2026, bold statement tile is reaching far beyond kitchens and bathrooms.

Year after year, trend forecasting is all the rage come January. From bold flooring to cream-colored kitchens, a pair of themes ties all of 2026’s home design trends together — organic materials and vintage vibes reign supreme.

This week, economical designer and DIY-weekend-warrior favorite Floor & Decor released its four top style predictions, plus its 2026 “Tiles of the Year.” Interestingly, tile is extending its reach beyond the typical wet space parameters. Think bold statement walls in dining and living rooms, and fun textures and patterns splayed across tabletops. When it comes to tile, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of “why not?!”

Trends this year draw from a wide range of influences — vintage eras, natural elements, and inventive material combinations — allowing homeowners and designers to reimagine kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces in distinctive ways.

“We're craving the comfort of nostalgia. Vintage-inspired tile is surging, especially styles that nod to the 70s with warm tones, textures, and patterns,” Ashley Biscan, design and trend expert at Floor & Decor tells CultureMap. “What makes this revival feel current is the balance against clean lines and modern installation, so it feels intentional and pays homage, as opposed to feeling dated.”

As far as application is concerned, Biscan points out that tiling walls in dining and living rooms is more in line with a renaissance than a revelation. “Although wall tile might seem unconventional in a dining room, it's more traditional than some might think and harkens back to charming design eras,” explains Biscan. “This year, style is all about curating personal statements through layers of texture, pattern, and color in key gathering spaces. Every dinner party needs a conversation piece, after all.”

Trendy Houstonians and Round Top regulars — arguably cut from the same cloth — have no doubt taken notice of tiled tabletops popping up everywhere from top shops to the see-and-be-scene patio at the new Hotel Daphne in The Heights.

“Seeing tile used in unexpected places like tabletops or coffee tables reflects a broader shift toward material-driven design and handmade craftsmanship,” says Biscan. “There are durable options that work really well in these formats that are both functional and beautiful and truly one of a kind.”

Looking to incorporate tile into an unconventional room or furniture piece, but can’t seem to commit? Mixing and matching new tile trends into somewhat of a quilt or tapestry design is not something to fear.

“Mixing and matching tile is a clever way to enrich a space, add character, and make it personal,” shares Biscan. “To keep an eclectic look cohesive, layer tiles within the same color palette. A popular example with warm neutrals is the combination of depth and texture through natural stone and ceramic zellige combinations.”

"This year's design trends celebrate both nature's richness and the joy of personal expression," says Biscan. "From earthy palettes and textured materials to layered patterns and tailored combinations, every space can feel thoughtful and dynamic. The Vetta Elements Collection in Luxe Earth captures this spirit perfectly, offering versatile ways to mix colors, textures, and formats for interiors that are both sophisticated and uniquely personal."

Biscan has named Luxe Earth from the Vetta Elements Collection as the Floor & Decor Tile of the Year. A versatile porcelain tile designed to elevate any space, its rich, earthy tones bring warmth to both indoor and outdoor settings, providing a welcoming foundation. With a mix-and-match approach, homeowners and designers can experiment with sizes, colors, and patterns to craft a personalized look that is durable enough for high-traffic areas yet refined enough for feature walls. Vetta Elements demonstrates how design-forward style and practicality can coexist seamlessly.

As promised, here is Floor & Decor's 2026 Design Trends Forecast, showcasing interiors that are bold and full of character.

Retro Rhapsody: 70s Revival with Modern Edge
Warm nostalgia meets contemporary polish as the spirit of the 1970s reenters the home. Saturated hues, sculptural forms, and rich wood finishes create spaces that feel expressive yet intentional. Deep ambers, soft burgundies, and smoky neutrals pair with geometric patterns, curved silhouettes, and tactile materials to bring depth and personality to kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. When balanced with clean lines and refined finishes, these retro influences feel inviting and distinctly current.

Crème Brûlée Kitchens: Warm Neutrals Reimagined
The classic white kitchen is being refreshed through toasted neutrals, with layers of vanilla, eggshell, and Swiss Coffee bringing warmth and depth to the heart of the home without sacrificing brightness. Subtle tonal variation across cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes creates a cohesive, elevated look that feels timeless yet indulgent.

Lush Landscape: Organic Depth and Texture
Natural influence is taking a more textural, tonal form. Colors drawn from earth, sand, and sky are interpreted through layered finishes and pronounced surfaces, adding richness and dimension to interiors with material-driven spaces and an emphasis on depth and organic continuity.

Eclectic Artistry: Personalized Layers of Style
Mix eras, textures, and patterns to create bold and unexpected combinations that tell a story with nods to the past. Intentional combinations of color and material create spaces that feel layered and unmistakably personal.