Rick Mohler on Housing Affordability and the Future of Mixed-Use Design
Rick Mohler, chair of the UW architecture program, was quoted in the recent KUOW article. He sees Washington State’s debate over required ground-floor retail as a necessary update to outdated zoning that can drive up rents and hinder housing production. While acknowledging the historic value of mixed-use buildings, he argues that changing retail conditions require policies that prioritize housing while still supporting active streets. Click below to read more!
Rick Mohler named ACSA Distinguished Professor
Congratulations to our department chair Rick Mohler, who was named one of ACSA’s 2026 Architectural Education Award Winners. Each year, ACSA honors architectural educators for exemplary work in areas such as building design, community collaborations, scholarship, and service.
As department chair for the past two years, Rick has addressed internal inequities while advancing interdisciplinary, community-engaged teaching and research. But as he notes, “I am most proud of my support for our diverse, community-focused student organizations. This allows me to extend the cultivation of the next generation of citizen-architects beyond the classroom and into the life of the department.”
Autumn Quarter Highlights
As we head into the new year and new quarter, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the exciting coursework that emerged during autumn 2025.