Stephanie Belov and Yuzheng Gan Win 2nd Place in AISD 2025 Celebrating Design Texas Awards
Their project is called HYDROCOMMONS, envisioning an Austin-based office for the Aspen Institute within the historic Claudia Taylor Johnson Hall. The space doubles as an event venue and gallery, housing Aspen’s Bauhaus art collection and rotating exhibitions while prioritizing connectivity, inclusivity, and well-being. The design strengthens ties to nature while preserving the building’s historic integrity, creating a setting that reflects the Institute’s mission and legacy. Taking inspiration from Austin’s many bodies of water, the space encourages seamless shifts from leisure to meetings, from quiet moments to social gatherings, all while maintaining a dynamic quality that is shaped by the movement of people. Natural light, greenery, and organic materials blur the line between the interior and the landscape while a balance of historic architecture and modern design highlights the blend of tradition and transformation.
Stephanie Belov shares that the project “began as a straightforward renovation of a historic post office for our client’s contemporary office needs, but through our collaboration, we shaped a narrative focused on community and wellness. This project expanded my perspective on what adaptive reuse for the workplace can achieve when guided by thoughtful design that meets the clients' needs in unexpected ways.”
At the heart of the space, the curved glass conference rooms with integrated paper partitions act as sculptural focal points. Their organic forms emphasize movement, and collaboration, encouraging users to flow and gather like water. They host Aspen Institute’s signature round table meetings while also exhibiting rotating exhibits at their exterior. Transparent and layered partitions throughout the project reflect a broader message of openness, adaptability, and meaningful connection. On the materiality and movement of the design, Yuzheng Gan muses: “the interplay of paper and glass, the dialogue between historic trusses and modern curves, and the space’s ability to evolve with human presence embody the design philosophy I aim to pursue in the future: spaces that are flexible, rooted in their context, and vividly interactive with their users.”
Congratulations to Yuzheng Gan and Stephanie Belov for winning 2nd place in the Student Commercial Design Category at the AISD’s 2025 Celebrating Texas Awards!
