HABITABLE Furniture is a reconfigurable system of mobile elements, serving as both a flexible display and space-making solution.
JOY + ERGONOMICS + TRANSFORMABLE
We explored how design can enhance daily lives and activities, focusing on transformation and responsiveness to optimize space functionally and qualitatively. Joy and ergonomics were our primary goals.
Our collaborative project transformed a residual space in the UHCoAD into a joyful and versatile IA student lounge. Through teamwork, innovation, and a focus on ecological responsibility, we created a multifunctional furniture system. This system allows users to personalize their space for work, relaxation, and collaboration, combining advanced materials, recyclability, and playful design elements. The final prototype embodies playfulness, innovation, and user-centric design, inviting a closer look at diverse interactions within the space.
Visit each project page, including the complete magazines in PDF format, for insights into our process and results. Enjoy the journey!
OUR TEAM
Richele Refuerzo
Jesus Aquirre Victoria Gonzalez Alex Baltazar Paul Chavarria Whitney Lau Jade Guerra Virginia Briagas Elena Mexicano Thuc Tran Mikayla Zientek Marshall Bradley Nicole Valdes
PROFESSOR
Marta Rodriguez Ph.D. Architect
Marta Rodriguez's architectural journey spans continents, from Madrid to Tokyo and back to Paris, and now Houston, where she teaches and practices with a passion for creating inclusive, sustainable spaces. Her expertise in small-scale living and human-scale urban design is showcased through her award-winning projects and research-driven approach. Through her firm HABITABLE Studio and her advocacy in the Habitable City journal, Marta seeks a more connected, equitable, and livable built environment, embodying a vision of architecture that is adaptable.
TA
Lene Fourie
OUR COLLEGE
Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design UNIVERSITY of HOUSTON
WEBSITE DESIGN
Richele Refuerzo
04 LANDSCAPE
Outside In is one of five projects included in the proposal for Hines College to construct this summer. The goal of this subproject is to challenge the normal idea of seating and lounging, and to revitalize comfort by bringing in something bouncy and transformable to the body. There are two pieces that make up Outside In, both optimized for comfortable sitting and laying positions. Both can be nested on top of each other and put away, and are meant to be placed within any area of our site to create landscape. Lay on them, sit on them, or admire them-- whichever you prefer!