Zahra Rasti
Assistant Teaching Professor
Zahra Rasti has just joined the University of Washington, College of Built Environments, Architecture Department, as an Assistant Teaching Professor, Beginning Design. She was previously a faculty member in the Department of Architecture within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. With a diverse background in teaching and research, she brings a rich skill set and a dedication to innovative design and social justice to the academic community. Her expertise lies in participatory and community-based design, where she views architecture as a driving force for change. In addition to her scholarly work, Zahra recently founded a non-profit organization called VOICE, which stands for Visual Outputs for Inclusive Change and Environments. Through VOICE, she continues to advocate for social and environmental justice, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
Having navigated the realms of architecture across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, Zahra has acquired a robust foundation in design and urban systems. Her primary research focuses on visual documentation and social justice, complemented by her role in teaching various design and representational courses. Zahra holds a master’s degree from Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Finland, and gained international experience through her studies at Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Zanjan University, Iran.