By Ainsley Weems | MSU Communication Student Class of 2026
Two students from Mississippi State University are gaining international recognition for their work in architecture and urban design. Fifth-year architecture students Cole Arrington and Arturo Hernandez will present their research at the 2026 ARCC-EAAE International Conference, hosted by Kennesaw State University, in Atlanta, Georgia, from April 8–11.
Their poster, titled “Restoring and Revitalizing Biloxi’s Main Street,” explores redevelopment strategies for Biloxi, focusing on resilience, housing and community growth. The project began as a studio assignment but quickly developed into a deeper investigation, leading to their work to emphasize the importance of density and inclusive housing solutions.
“We chose Main Street because it had potential for meaningful redevelopment and had a rich historical context, which could be used as a tool to improve the street to its original prime...it hasn’t fully recovered from Hurricane Katrina,” they said. “We hope to inspire designers to advocate for density and multifamily development that would increase housing availability and foster diverse, inclusive communities.”
The research process included site visits, historical analysis, community meetings and design exploration. Through multiple site visits, the students identified vacant lots as opportunities for redevelopment, proposing mixed-use designs that incorporate both residential and retail space. Addressing environmental concerns was also central to their work, and along the way, they encountered unexpected insights.
“Our main challenge was the flooding that occurred after heavy rainfall,” they explained. “A surprising insight we faced was learning about the code that is now required for houses to be raised above a certain height, depending on their location and their susceptibility to flooding."
Presenting at an international conference marks a major milestone for both students, but beyond presenting, they are eager to engage with others in the field.
“We are very grateful to have earned this opportunity, and we hope to receive critical feedback in improving our research,” they said. “We are looking forward to networking and educating ourselves with the research others have done...it is important for us to learn more outside the classroom to ensure we are exposed to current topics, issues, solutions and technologies across the world.”