ULI Competition

Rendering of a modern urban park surrounded by futuristic buildings with rooftop gardens and large windows. People walk and gather in the open green space, while cars drive past on a nearby street. Birds fly in a partly cloudy sky.
URBAN LAND INSTITUTE

The Urban Land Institute's Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition is an annual graduate-level competition intended to provide an interdisciplinary learning experience for business and design students. Student teams work on large-scale sites with complex challenges that need innovative solutions reflecting responsible land use. Each team is required to work in a multifaceted way, incorporating design, planning, market potential, and feasibility into their development strategies.

Each year the School of Architecture participates in the Urban Land Institute's Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition. Participation in the national competition, along with an internal competition at UT Austin, is funded through a generous gift from the Cogburn Family Foundation.

Each year, students from across the School of Architecture's disciplines, from architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, community and regional planning, and the McCombs School of Business have taken part in the competition. UT Austin student teams have performed exceedingly well in the national competition, with two national winners, as well as many finalists and honorable mentions. 

The Urban Design Program at the School of Architecture also offers a ULI studio. The studio works in teams, taking on the same project that is the subject of the competition. The teams will continue to work after the initial ten-day competition to develop the group projects.

  • Instagram Post
    Congratulations to Architecture graduate student Luis Rodriguez for earning Honorable Mention in the 2026 ACSA Concrete Masonry Competition!<br>
    @utsoa

    Congratulations to Architecture graduate student Luis Rodriguez for earning Honorable Mention in the 2026 ACSA Concrete Masonry Competition!

  • Instagram Post
    On September 9, UT School of Architecture Dean Heather Woofter (@heatherwoofter) and Architecture &amp; Urban Design Program Director at Kent State University Sung Ho Kim present “Invisible Practice.” <br>
    @utsoa

    On September 9, UT School of Architecture Dean Heather Woofter (@heatherwoofter) and Architecture & Urban Design Program Director at Kent State University Sung Ho Kim present “Invisible Practice.”

  • Instagram Post
    Exploring Unfinished Edges in Australia 🇦🇺 <br>
    @utsoa

    Exploring Unfinished Edges in Australia 🇦🇺

  • Instagram Post
    Beginning August 28, architect and urbanist @studiopaolavigano's exhibition, "THE BIOPOLITICAL GARDEN" is on display. Paola Viganò will present a virtual opening talk on September 3. <br>
    @utsoa

    Beginning August 28, architect and urbanist @studiopaolavigano's exhibition, "THE BIOPOLITICAL GARDEN" is on display. Paola Viganò will present a virtual opening talk on September 3.

  • Instagram Post
    There’s even more to look forward to on Monday 👀<br /><br />Battle Hall and the John S. Chase Architecture and Planning Library are BACK open to students this semester! Stay tuned for more exciting details to come.
    @utsoa

    There’s even more to look forward to on Monday 👀

    Battle Hall and the John S. Chase Architecture and Planning Library are BACK open to students this semester! Stay tuned for more exciting details to come.

  • Instagram Post
    Community and Regional Planning Associate Professor Alex Karner (@dr_karner) and Professor Emeritus Elizabeth Mueller will classify neighborhood types in Austin and evaluate their specific needs. <br /><br />➡️Swipe through to learn more! Head to our website for the complete article (link in bio)
    @utsoa

    Community and Regional Planning Associate Professor Alex Karner (@dr_karner) and Professor Emeritus Elizabeth Mueller will classify neighborhood types in Austin and evaluate their specific needs.

    ➡️Swipe through to learn more! Head to our website for the complete article (link in bio)

  • Instagram Post
    Wood Design: Summer 2026 🪵 <br>
    @utsoa

    Wood Design: Summer 2026 🪵

  • Instagram Post
    On display: INDEX. <br><br>Showcasing student work from the 2025-2026 academic year, INDEX. creates a calm, embodied environment that activates architecture and grounds our abstractions and creations in reality. <br>
    @utsoa

    On display: INDEX.

    Showcasing student work from the 2025-2026 academic year, INDEX. creates a calm, embodied environment that activates architecture and grounds our abstractions and creations in reality.

  • Instagram Post
    Studies in Asia 🇯🇵🇰🇷 <br>
    @utsoa

    Studies in Asia 🇯🇵🇰🇷