Houston Daily

A group of 19 architecture students from the University of Houston’s Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design have spent the fall semester developing new ideas for the future use of Houston’s Astrodome. The Astrodome, which opened in 1965 as the world’s first indoor, air-conditioned domed stadium, has been largely unused since 2002. As discussions continue among nonprofits and Harris County officials about what to do with the structure, these students explored ways it could serve the city moving forward.

The course was led by assistant professor Mili Kyropoulou and supported by a $30,000 gift from Amazon. The funding came after Kyropoulou’s professional team won ASHRAE’s 2023 LowDown Showdown design competition focused on reimagining the Astrodome. With this support, she and co-instructor Maria Christofi created “DOMEafterDOME,” a studio class that encouraged students to develop conceptual proposals for repurposing the stadium.

“This course has become essentially a playground for us to collectively test ideas about architecture, adaptive reuse and what it means to engage with massive structures that are left to deteriorate,” said Kyropoulou.

A recent poll conducted by the Hobby School of Public Affairs found that 62% of Harris County voters would support a public-private partnership aimed at converting the Astrodome into an entertainment venue.

Throughout the semester, student teams examined factors such as sustainability, life-cycle assessment, adaptive reuse and community engagement. Their projects were based on five potential uses: civic center with corporate offices; food ecosystem hub; data infrastructure hub; logistics and robotics center; and media production campus.

One proposal called “Astrostage” envisioned transforming the site into a media production campus featuring an omni theater, soundstage, actor bungalows and other facilities supporting film production. This concept aligns with ongoing efforts in Texas to promote its film industry through legislative funding.

“Honoring what it was is super important,” said student Taylor Henderson. “The many opinions that will come out of any proposal are just a part of it, but I hope that it doesn’t just sit there devoid of energy — it’s the Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Another project named AD-002 proposed turning the Astrodome into an automated logistics and robotics center serving both medical and industrial sectors in Houston. The plan included maintaining much of the interior while adding spaces like a fabrication lab and legacy museum.

“We wanted not just a warehouse but an interaction between Houstonians and people outside of Houston to see this Astrodome and be able to interact, be able to feel what it once was, because we didn’t change much of the interior,” said Linzhen Chew.

At semester’s end, students presented their blueprints and simulations to college leaders and alumni from design industries for feedback.

“Amazon’s sponsorship brought with it a stipulation that the teams focus on a particular category of use,” said Hines College Dean Patricia Belton Oliver. “This forced the students to concentrate their design energies on a singular design challenge. In each case, they accomplished an extraordinary level of analysis to back up their uniquely specific design proposals.”

All seven projects will be displayed publicly at UH’s Mashburn Gallery from December 17 through January 29. Selected works may also appear at AIA Houston's exhibit in early 2026 at Architecture Center Houston alongside other proposals for repurposing the Astrodome.

Kyropoulou emphasized that engaging students in this civic conversation was one of the course's main achievements: “They enjoy being part of this conversation in a way that gives them a lot of exposure,” she said.