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Student Work

Where Ideas Take Shape

Across the Architecture program, student work explores the intersections of design, equity, sustainability, and the built environment. From conceptual models to full-scale installations, graduate and undergraduate projects reflect bold experimentation, grounded inquiry, and a deep commitment to creating spaces that serve communities.

Timber Wave Studio Photo UW Architecture x StructureCraft – Timber Wave Graduate architecture students designed the Timber Wave, a self-supporting pavilion made of interlocking timber modules inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. Using Washington-grown lumber, the project showcases sustainable materials and innovative structural design. Discover how this wave-like form blends engineering, beauty, and community engagement. Read More
Concealed Connections: Columbia City Adaptive Reuse This project reimagines Columbia City’s former substation as a vibrant hub for artists and neighbors. With galleries, maker spaces, and pathways through the site, it sparks creativity and connection. Learn how Columbia City adaptive reuse bridges history, art, and community in this landmark district. Read More
CA AND CC Courtyard Render Layered Design for Art and Community This project transforms the abandoned Magnolia City Light Substation into a vibrant hub for artists and neighbors. With studios at its core and community spaces above, the design layers creativity and connection. Learn how this vision turns industrial history into a new neighborhood gathering place. Read More
RAINER BEACH FOOD HALL Exterior Render Rainier Beach Food Hall At the gateway to Rainier Beach, the food hall blends community gathering, local business support, and sustainable building practices. With spaces for murals, gardens, and local vendors, it celebrates culture and connection. Discover how this design energizes a vibrant neighborhood hub. Read More
DWELLING and DINING Presentation Perspective Dwelling & Dining: Living with History Dwelling & Dining reimagines how we live and engage with our environment and community. Instead of offering solutions, the project invites deeper awareness of history and time, challenging “time illiteracy” in our daily lives. Discover how evocative design fosters reflection and connection. Read More
Cultural and Culinary Resilience in South Seattle In South Seattle, the Rainier Beach Culinary Center empowers food entrepreneurs with affordable kitchens and business support. Rooted in cultural diversity and sustainability, it becomes a hub for ethnic food innovation and community growth. Discover how this design nurtures opportunity and resilience. Read More
Urban Junction: Food and Community Hub Urban Junction in Rainier Beach is a food hall that doubles as a community anchor. With a central courtyard, bold staircase, and spaces for gathering and learning, it merges food, culture, and neighborhood identity. Learn how design transforms eating into connection and exchange. Read More
Biotic Continuity in Magnolia Biotic Continuity reimagines a 1940s substation in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood as a hub for creativity and community. By blending adaptive reuse with spaces for artists and stewards, the design sparks innovation while honoring the site’s history. Learn how this project redefines power for a new generation. Read More
Featured Image BLOCK105 Exterior Render BLOCK105 Builds Food Equity BLOCK105 is a community-centered design that supports food access and equity in Rainier Beach. Using mass timber and cost-saving prefabrication, the project shows how affordable, sustainable spaces can serve as models for other neighborhoods. Discover how design makes food systems more accessible and adaptable. Read More
Rainier Collective Housing In Seattle’s Rainier Beach, Rainier Collective proposes housing that prioritizes connection over isolation. With large shared units, generous common spaces, and programming for all ages, the project challenges the studio-driven market model. Learn how this design strengthens social bonds and addresses rising urban precarity. Read More
COMMISSARY KITCHEN South Courtyard Render Food and Equity at South Henderson Street On South Henderson Street, students designed a two-story community hub anchored by a grand food hall and shared kitchens. The project blends training spaces, local business support, and sustainable strategies to uplift the Rainier Beach neighborhood. Discover how it connects food, equity, and environmental design. Read More
Bridging Community at Rainier Bridges at Rainier creates a mixed-use building with homes, shops, and live-work units that connect people through layered circulation and active public space. Read More
THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE AND CAFE Sculpture plaza Render Columbia City Substation Reimagined This project transforms the Columbia City Substation into a vibrant community art center. Inspired by the flow of water and electrical currents, the design celebrates the link between nature and creativity. Discover how an industrial relic becomes a new hub for artistic energy. Read More
FIRE AND FUEL Axonometric Drawing Reimagining Magnuson Park Fire Station This project transforms Magnuson Park’s historic fire and gas stations into a grocery store, welcome center, and community business space. Salvaged wood structures echo the site’s iconic arches, while redesigned gardens reveal the park’s layered history. Discover how the design reshapes relationships between visitors, buildings, and landscape. Read More
THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE AND CAFE Entrance Render Transforming a Substation into Community Space Students reimagined a former Seattle City Light substation as a vibrant artist collective and café. Inspired by Magnolia’s topography and neighborhood flow, the design includes galleries, housing, courtyards, and pathways that invite community connection. Learn how adaptive reuse turns an industrial site into a creative hub. Read More
The CDB Operating Manual Render Designing Space with Interior Landscapes Students reimagined the Community Design Building with custom furniture that adds order, comfort, and flexibility. Using simple lumber, the Interior Landscape team created seating, storage, and new work areas that transform an underused building into a hub of activity. See how design brings life to overlooked space. Read More
Community Spark Isometric Drawing Community Spark: Greening Columbia City Community Spark transforms Columbia City’s historic core by introducing green space where it’s needed most. With a garden, nursery, and nature-inspired gathering areas, it bridges commercial streets and residential neighborhoods. Learn how this project reconnects community and environment through reuse and renewal. Read More
THE HIVE Exterior Render Cultivating Community at The Hive The Hive in Rainier Beach is a community kitchen designed to support local food entrepreneurs with affordable facilities and shared spaces. From a bustling food hall to rooftop beekeeping, it blends business opportunity with community connection. Discover how this hub cultivates growth and resilience. Read More
Exterior Entrance of Habitat Kitchen Habitat Kitchen: A Community Hub Habitat Kitchen is a commissary kitchen, teaching space, and community hub designed to serve Rainier Beach residents. By supporting cooks, food vendors, and neighbors gathering over meals, it creates a healthier, more connected community. Discover how design fosters well-being through food, work, and shared experience. Read More
Featured Image - TERRACE KITCHEN Terrace Kitchen for Rainier Beach Terrace Kitchen is a community hub designed to tackle Rainier Beach’s food desert while uplifting the neighborhood. With gardens, kitchens, and classrooms, it empowers residents to grow, cook, and share nutritious food. Learn how this design combines education, sustainability, and community care. Read More
Featured Image - RENDEZVOUS Sustainable Food Hub in Rainier Beach Rendezvous is a sustainable food hub in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood, blending a food hall, kitchen, and learning center. Inspired by the flow of water, the design integrates energy efficiency, rainwater reuse, and community connection. Learn how this project unites people through food and sustainability. Read More
LIGHTHAUS SECTION PERSPECTIVE Beacon of Hope in Berlin Light-haus reimagines a safe haven for Berlin’s refugee community. Like a lighthouse guiding ships to shore, the project offers belonging, resilience, and direction. Discover how this student design envisions a beacon that radiates unity across the city. Read More
Featured Image of Hjem Axonometric view Hjem: Courtyard Office for Connection In Copenhagen, students studied how architecture can foster comfort and belonging before designing Hjem, an office extension for Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter. Their proposal centers on a shared courtyard, natural materials, and abundant daylight. Learn how this design creates spaces that bring people together. Read More
Sunu Kerr Render Sunu Kerr: Our Home in Lynnwood In Lynnwood, “Sunu Kerr” (Our Home) is a housing concept for the West African diaspora that celebrates culture and community. Blending traditional spatial patterns with sustainable materials, the design fosters connection and belonging. Discover how shared spaces strengthen cultural ties and adaptability. Read More
Project The under cover perspective Under Cover Cohousing This experimental cohousing design breaks a large apartment building into smaller blocks linked by outdoor streets. Each group shares its own dining hall and lounge, while the ground floor opens to the wider neighborhood. Discover how the design fosters community from the inside out. Read More
Pemberton Mill Section Cut Render Pemberton Mill Unites Work and Community Pemberton Mill in British Columbia blends workforce housing, a sawmill, and community spaces to support wildfire recovery and sustainable forestry. Built from salvaged materials, it offers lodging, workshops, and gathering areas for seasonal workers and locals. Discover how this design turns resilience into a shared resource. Read More
9019 Rainier Bike Room Render Connecting Community at 9019 Rainier 9019 Rainier is a mixed-use development in Rainier Beach combining 121 housing units with a vibrant teen center. Designed for community needs, it blends family and youth housing with shared kitchens, training spaces, and green design features. See how this project builds connection and belonging. Read More
Rainier Landing Render Featured Image Urban Farmhouse in Rainier Beach In Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood, Rainier Landing combines affordable housing with urban farming to address food insecurity and community needs. Residents enjoy shared gardens, welcoming gathering spaces, and sustainable design. Discover how this mixed-use project blends home, harvest, and community into one vision. Read More
Render of the South West corner of the CONIFER. Sustainable Living in Rainier Beach Conifer is a five-story mixed-use housing complex in Rainier Beach designed for sustainable urban living and multi-generational community life. Featuring a daycare, gym, community kitchens, and a green stormwater courtyard, it blends housing and shared spaces. Discover how this design fosters connection and environmental stewardship. Read More
Brown bird singing in green bush Rebuilding Community In Seattle’s Central Area, student teams envisioned housing that preserves affordability and strengthens neighborhood connections. Their designs include spaces for seniors and youth aging out of foster care, plus shared amenities like a community kitchen and food co-op. Read More
Image of student work. Rebuilding Community In Seattle’s Central Area, student teams envisioned housing that preserves affordability and strengthens neighborhood connections. Their designs include spaces for seniors and youth aging out of foster care, plus shared amenities like a community kitchen and food co-op. Read More
Sunlit court filled with cardboard figures How ARCH 231 Turns Ideas into Built Experiences Hands-on learning meets creative design in ARCH 231: Making and Craft at UW's College of Built Environments. From cardboard figures to full-scale benches, students explore materials, scale, and fabrication through collaborative, real-world projects. Read More
Black and white photo of the exterior of architecture hall Three Remarkable Architecture Faculty Members Retiring in 2025 The College of Built Environments honors the retirements of architecture faculty Kimo Griggs, Peter Cohan, and Steve Badanes, each of whom are remarkable educators whose decades of teaching, mentorship, and leadership have left a lasting mark on the UW community. Read More
Team of rowers cheering Architecture Student Ryan Martin Helps UW Rowing Claim National Championship Congratulations to Ryan Martin, a BA in Architectural Studies student, who was part of the University of Washington men’s rowing team that captured the 2025 IRA National Championship. Read More
Donald I. King’s Elevation to NOMA Council Donald I King, FAIA, NOMAC is an Affiliate Professor of Architecture in the University of Washington College of Built Environments. He is an architect, planner, and educator with over 50 years of experience in community-focused planning, urban design, architectural design, and project management. Among his many community service positions, Donald is the co-founder and former President/CEO of the non-profit Nehemiah Initiative Seattle. We proudly congratulate him on this well-deserved elevation to NOMA Council! Read More
Alums Daniel Simons, FAIA and Erin Feeny featured in ARCHITECT magazine Photo Credit: Bruce Damonte   Congratulations to Daniel Simons, FAIA (M Arch 1997) and Erin Feeny (M Arch 2012) Principal and Associate respectively at David Baker Architects (DBA) in Oakland, CA on their recent coverage in ARCHITECT magazine. The article, “Africatown Plaza: A Living Monument to Culture, Community, and Permanence in Seattle’s Central District” describes the community-led, mixed-use affordable housing project completed in collaboration with Seattle-based GGLO. Read More