Rob Williams

Rob Williams is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Massachusetts. Specializing in sustainable design and decarbonization, his work integrates research, teaching, and professional practice. He earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Physics from Cornell University (2005) and a M.Arch from Rhode Island School of Design (2010). His research focuses on low-carbon residential design, alternative construction materials, and design-build education.

At UMass, he teaches graduate and undergraduate design studios, technical courses including Tectonics I and Analysis & Representation I, and co-founded the UMass DesignBuild program. He coordinates the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) program, which has achieved a 68% exam pass rate. His professional affiliation with Truth Box Architects includes leading high-performance multifamily projects, including the first certified passive house multifamily building in Rhode Island.

• Key Research Areas: Urban decarbonization, passive house systems, material sustainability, and interdisciplinary design education.
• Notable Projects: 1492 Westminster Street Passive House (AIA award-winning), Cranston Street Redevelopment, and the (re)Facing the Future triple-decker design.

His recent publications explore carbon impact analysis in shipping-container housing, lifecycle carbon metrics, and pedagogical approaches to architectural technology. Awards include the 2024 ACSA New Faculty Teaching Award and multiple regional AIA honors.