.hero{
  min-height: auto !important;
}

/* --- Projects Controls --- */
.projects-controls {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  justify-content: center; /* center the whole controls section */
  gap: 1rem 2rem;
  margin: 3rem 5%;
  align-items: center;
}

.filters {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 0.6rem;
  justify-content: center; /* center filter buttons */
}

.filters button {
  padding: 0.55rem 1.25rem;
  border-radius: 100px;
  border: 1px solid var(--accent-mid);
  background: none;
  color: var(--text);
  cursor: pointer;
  font-weight: 500;
  transition: background 0.25s, color 0.25s, transform 0.2s;
}

.filters button.active,
.filters button:hover {
  background: var(--accent);
  color: var(--bg);
  transform: scale(1.05);
}

.search-sort {
  display: flex;
  gap: 0.8rem;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  justify-content: center; /* center search/sort inputs */
}

.search-sort input,
.search-sort select {
  padding: 0.6rem 1rem;
  border-radius: 8px;
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  background: var(--bg);
  color: var(--text);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  transition: border 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
}

.search-sort input:focus,
.search-sort select:focus {
  outline: none;
  border-color: var(--accent);
  box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(163,224,252,0.3);
}

/* --- Projects Grid --- */
.projects-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(280px, 1fr));
  gap: 2rem;
  padding: 0 5% 4rem;
}

/* --- Project Card --- */
.project-card {
  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
  border-radius: 12px;
  overflow: hidden;
  transform: scale(0.95);
  opacity: 0;
  transition: transform 0.35s ease, opacity 0.35s ease, box-shadow 0.3s;
}

.project-card.visible {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: scale(1);
}

.project-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px) scale(1.02);
  box-shadow: 0 12px 40px rgba(163, 224, 252, 0.25);
}

.project-image {
  width: 100%;
  height: 150px; /* set consistent height for all images */
  overflow: hidden; /* hide overflow for cropping */
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(163,224,252,0.15);
  position: relative;
}

.project-image img {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover; /* crops the image to fill container while keeping aspect ratio */
  transition: transform 0.5s ease; /* smooth zoom */
  display: block;
}

.project-content {
  padding: 1rem 1.2rem 1.5rem;
  text-align: center; /* center text and button */
}

.project-content h3 {
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  font-weight: 600;
}

.project-content .btn-secondary {
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  display: inline-block;
  margin-top: 0.8rem;
  text-align: center;
  padding: 0.5rem 1.2rem;
}