Zahra Rasti

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT ZAHRA RASTI

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.