The Nehemiah Studio is an on-going set of studio courses at the University of Washington in the College of Built Environments.

Our commitment is to the creation of pathways for communities to heal from past inequities and thrive in an equitable and inclusive future. For our College, this begins with equipping our graduates with the requisite cultural understanding and intercultural fluency to use their financial, design, and planning expertise in service of an equitable and inclusive future. We trained students to be aware of how their cultural mindsets affected the way that they listened to and perceived the needs of the church leaders and others who visited the classroom. 

The work of the studio provides real value to the community by presenting visions for future development that meet the needs of the currently community, building on the social and physical assets, and anticipate a vibrant future.

- Renee Cheng, FAIA/NOMA, Dean of the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington

Building Beloved Community - Envisioning Thriving Futures for Black Churches in Seattle

Nehemiah Studios taught at the UW College of Built Environments.

2019 – Autumn

RE 551 and UDP 508

McKinley Futures Nehemiah Studio

Instructors: Rachel Berney, Urban Design and Planning

                        Donald King, Architecture

                        Al Levine, Real Estate

2020 – Winter

URBDP 506

Nehemiah Initiative: Stakeholder Meeting Prep

Instructor:    Branden Born, Urban Design and Planning

2020 – Spring

URBDP 507

Nehemiah Initiative: Stakeholder Engagement

Instructor:    Branden Born, Urban Design and Planning

2020 – Autumn

RE 551A /URBDP 508

Nehemiah Interdisciplinary Studio

Instructors: Rachel Berney, Urban Design and Planning

                        Donald King, Architecture

                        Al Levine, Real Estate Development

2020 – Winter

ARCH 404

Nehemiah Initiative Study Site

Instructor:    AnnMarie Borys, Architecture