As designers of schools, we believe that when designers, educators, and learners come together, it’s usually with a common goal: to create a school that best serves its users. Yet, design professionals are frequently told that school buildings do not support current learner-centric education models.

Mahlum Architects is deeply saddened at the loss of John Mahlum FAIA who passed away on March 20, 2025, at the age of 85.

With current research and knowledge, Jesse Walton revisits an AIA 2030 Commitment blog post we shared in 2020 and updates us with some hard truths.

Mahlum endeavors to revisit our completed projects with the specific intent to learn and adapt our design solutions to support users’ needs. After being operational for three years, we looked forward to discovering how Alma Clark Glass Hall at Western Washington University was functioning for its residents, specifically the Black Affinity Housing community.

Canby, Oregon is a small community that inspired Bryan Hollar to pursue a career in architecture. Years later, he was given the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on generations to come.

Adopting an attitude of “one team one dream” helped a Design-Build team navigate a nationwide pandemic and a local Teamsters strike.

Widely accepted by the global scientific community, our planet is approaching a “tipping point” of irreversible climate change. We knew our new office had to live up to our commitment of creating a carbon neutral future so we could be more honest advocates to ourselves, and the clients we serve.

Mahlum believes all people deserve to make the best personal healthcare decisions for themselves and their families.

A few years ago, we wondered why more mass timber K-12 schools, especially larger and multi-story structures, were not being built in Washington State. To find answers to these questions, we formed an expert mass timber team comprised of Mahlum staff and consultant firms, submitted a proposal to the USDA/US Forest Service for a Wood Innovations Grant, and embarked on a two-year long study.

A new facility will bring Black United Fund of Oregon’s programs under one roof and provide the opportunity to form new partnerships with like-minded organizations.