Thaïsa Way, a professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture, discusses the legacy of Fredrick Law Olmsted in the field of architecture. | Inverse
Author: In the News
UW announces John and Rosalind Jacobi Family Endowed Deanship in the College of Built Environments
The University of Washington today announced the establishment of the John and Rosalind Jacobi Family Endowed Deanship in the College of Built Environments, strengthening the school’s vision of a more just and beautiful world for all. | UW News
Is homelessness a housing problem? Two Seattle experts make their case in new book
There’s a big problem when it comes to fixing homelessness: The research-backed solution is not always the one the public agrees with. Gregg Colburn, assistant professor of real estate, is quoted and his new book is discussed. | The Seattle Times
Urbanization is driving evolution of plants globally, study finds
Humans re-shape the environments where they live, with cities being among the most profoundly transformed environments on Earth. New research now shows that these urban environments are altering the way life evolves. Marina Alberti, professor of urban design and planning, and the Urban Ecology Research Lab’s research is highlighted. | UW News
Storied beams: Architectural annotations on resilience and survival in the Chinatown-International District
This is the first installment of an essay series annotating and exploring the intersection of history, architecture, and activism in the Chinatown International District. Jeff Hou, professor of architecture is quoted. | International Examiner
Plant-based data centers
Concrete creates huge carbon emissions. Why can’t data center builders turn that around, and use biological material that stores carbon instead? The Carbon Leadership Forum at the College of Built Environments research is quoted. | Data Center Dynamics
UW professor’s new book presents opportunity to ‘rethink housing’
Gregg Colburn, assistant professor of real estate, believes housing market conditions — specifically, high housing and rental prices, and low vacancy rates — exacerbate economic and personal challenges for society’s most vulnerable. And it’s the housing market, aided by the private and public sectors, that can provide the solution. | UW News
Amazon allocates $42.5M to build 318 affordable apartments near Seattle area light rail stations
Amazon on Tuesday announced that it has allocated $42.5 million to help pay for the construction of 318 affordable apartments near two light rail stations in the greater Seattle area. Gregg Colburn, assistant professor of real estate, is quoted. | GeekWire
Spokane’s housing crunch
James Young, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington speaks on the housing needs in Spokane.
An online world that doesn’t destroy the real one
Three groups of student designers led by UW CBE faculty Drs. Julie Kriegh, Chris Lee and Jan Whittington took on a near-impossible challenge: low-carbon server farms.
ZGF Architects Builds a Transparent and Inclusive Timber Assessment Tool
Upstream, a winner of Metropolis’ inaugural Responsible Disruptors competition, is an open-source calculator that designers with a comprehensive view of the carbon impacts of their wood-based materials choices. Upstream was created in partnership with the College of Built Environments Applied Research Consortium and led by CBE student, Chuou Zhang. | Metropolis
Microsoft shares updates on its $750M affordable housing effort as homelessness crisis continues
Gregg Colburn, assistant professor of real estate, and James Young, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate, discuss the role corporations play in solving the homelessness crisis.
GeekWire
Rising costs a headwind for commercial construction in 2022
The cost of construction materials rose during the fourth quarter at a national average of 1.5%, according to a new report. Seattle led the survey with a 5% quarterly increase. John Schaufelberger, professor and dean emeritus of construction management, is quoted. | Puget Sound Business Journal
Renovated Mills Offer a Perk in the Age of Social Distancing: Space
Developers are converting former grain, textile and water mills into vibrant destinations, saying they offer strategic locations, scenic views and flexible designs that offer ample room. Catherine De Almeida, assistant professor of landscape architecture at CBE is quoted. Source: The New York Times
Why are the B.C. floods so bad? Blame the wildfires, at least in part
Shortly after the end of a devastating wildfire season, many B.C. communities are cleaning up after disastrous floods that have swept away highways, submerged homes, triggered deadly landslides, stranded hundreds of people and forced thousands more to evacuate. Bob Freitag, senior lecturer of urban design, and planning at CBE is quoted. Source: CBC
The internet is killing the environment. These students came up with a brilliant design fix
To reduce the carbon footprint of the internet, students partner with Google and Microsoft to rethink the world’s data centers.
Could landmark designation save Seattle’s Memorial Stadium from demolition?
When Mayor Jenny Durkan announced a deal with Seattle Public Schools earlier this month — which includes a plan to demolish Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center — there was no mention of an option that would preserve and renovate the 74-year-old facility instead. Professor of Architecture, Jeffrey Ochsner quoted. Source: MyNorthwest
12 Talents Shaping the Design World
Minjae Kim, furniture designer and Department of Architecture alum, was named as one of the 12 talents shaping the design world.
What Does DEI Have to Do with Architecture?
Dean Renee Cheng joined ARCHITECT magazine podcast with consultant Nancy Alexander and Perkins&Will principal Gabrielle Bullock to discuss common myths and questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Interdisciplinary course helps empower the local community
Donald King, FAIA, an affiliate professor of architecture and president and CEO of the Nehemiah Initiative Seattle; Rachel Berney, Ph.D., an associate professor of urban design and planning; and Al Levine, an affiliate instructor of real estate. Aaron Fairchild, the CEO and co-founder of Green Canopy and the Nehemiah Initiative talked with Civil Engineering about the McKinley Futures Nehemiah Studio.