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Jim Wasley

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James Wasley

  • Professor, Architecture
  • Director, Institute for Ecological Design
  • Affiliated Faculty, School of Freshwater Sciences

Education

  • M.Arch, Rice University, 1992
  • B.Arch/ Honors, University of Oregon, 1983

Biography

Professor James Wasley co-directs the Institute for Ecological Design at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning and is an Affiliate Faculty at the School of Freshwater Sciences. He is a Past-President of the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE). He is also a founding member and Past-President of the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance, now part of the USGBC.

Professor Wasley’s research focuses on ‘transition design.’ This involves architectural and urban design aimed at a low-carbon and resilient future. He seeks to ensure that the built environment no longer significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Professor Wasley's research covers two design scales: architectural and district-level urban design. His main areas of focus are energy and water.

Specific research includes:

  • Case studies of net-zero operational energy buildings in North America and Europe.
  • Case studies of eco-districts in North America and Europe.
  • Case studies of net-zero energy academic buildings, especially laboratories.
  • Case studies on adapting existing buildings to meet net-zero energy standards.
  • Collaborative network building on green/blue urban infrastructure in the Great Lakes Basin.
  • Design proposals for redeveloping former industrial waterfront sites in Milwaukee, WI.
  • Case studies on using green/blue infrastructure to restore ecosystem services in urban areas.
  • Designing and constructing green/blue infrastructure demonstration projects in Milwaukee, WI.

Professor Wasley teaches design, environmental technology, and ecological design theory. He has recently been teaching and researching in Germany whenever possible. He is currently building a summer program for UWM students at the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences through the Hessen/Wisconsin Exchange.

Curriculum Vitae, CV (PDF)

Recent & Selected Works

Rooftop garden with grass and red plants atop a low building, surrounded by tall dorm towers and autumn trees.
. Sandburg Commons Green Roof. 2008. This 34,000 s.f. project wrote the Sate of Wisconsin’s specifications for green roofs. The upper roof is a demonstration of Wisconsin native priairie.
Sculptural metal fountain pours a stream of water overhead in rain, with a person holding an umbrella walking among trees and shrubs.
The Power Plant Cistern Project. 2013. Two interconnected cisterns capture 1.5 inches of rainfall from the roof of the UWM Power Plant and release it slowly into the Spiral Garden. The possibility of an overflow event animates the worst storm.
Linear water channel with fountains beside apartments, metal sculpture panel, and landscaped planters along a sunny urban walkway.
Freshwater Plaza Stormwater Demonstration Fountain. 2018. Creating a gateway to the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, this ecologically managed rainwater fountain captures four times the rainfall of a comparable green roof for an equivalent cost.
Industrial site with large cylindrical tanks and a docked ship behind fencing, framed by metal pergola beams and landscaped plants in the foreground.
The School of Freshwater Sciences West Entry Fountain. This unfinished project is the sculptural and urban design bookend to the Fountain at Freshwater Plaza. When the plumbing is finally installed it will run on discharge from the School’s aquaculture facilities.
Art studio interior with high ceiling and skylight, featuring easels, paintings, desks, storage cabinets, and tools arranged in a bright workspace.
Round River Studio. 2017- ongoing. Private residence, art studio and architectural demonstration project on the themes of low-carbon preservation and reuse, light, and salvage materiality.
Screenshot of a UWM Report webpage with headline about Sierra Club ranking UWM, featuring a campus image and navigation menu.
The Golda Meir Green Roof + BIPV. 2011. This 50,000 s.f. green roof and 29kW PV system tests the cooling benefits of a green roof for the performance of the photovoltaic system.
UWM architect’s rainwater fountain enhances Milwaukee Harbor District
Fountain Threshold. Interview clip- WaterMarks MKE · Dec 31, 2020

Built Works

  • Wasley, J. The Sandburg Commons Green Roof. Phase 1- 2008. Phase 2- 2011. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus.
  • Wasley, J. The Golda Meir Green Roof and Integral Photovoltaics. 2011. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus.
  • Wasley, J. The Pavilion Gateway Project- Lot 18 and the Spiral Garden. 2009. The Spiral Pier Design/Build Studio 2010. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus.
  • Wasley, J. The Power Plant Cisterns. 2013. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus.
  • Wasley, J. The Fountain at Freshwater Plaza. 2008. First and Greenfield Ave. Milwaukee, WI.

Chapters

  • Wasley, J. “Rethinking Stormwater: A Model for Synergy City.” Synergy City: Reinventing the Postindustrial City. Edited by Paul Hardin Kapp and Paul Armstrong. IUniversity of Illinois Press, Chicago and Springfield Illinois. 2012. pp. 92-103.
  • Wasley, J. "Safe Houses and Green Architecture: Reflections on the lessons of the Chemically Sensitive" Sustainable Architectures: Cultures and Natures in Europe and North America. Edited by Guy, S. and S. Moore. Spon Press. NY, NY. 2005.

Publications

  • Wasley, J.E. Kilroy and J. Quale, Carbon Neutral Affordable Housing: A Guidebook for Providers, Designers, and Students of Affordable Housing. A publication of the SBSE Carbon Neutral Design Project, J.Wasley P.I.,. 2011.

Technical & Research Reports

  • J. Wasley, Reimagining Water: Linking Sustainable Urban Water Systems in the Great Lakes Basin. National Science Foundation Sustainable Urban Systems Workshop proceedings. 2019.
  • J. Wasley and F. Massoud, Reimagining Water II: The Future of Blue-Green Infrastructure in the Great Lakes Basin. Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium Workshop proceedings. 2022.
  • J. Wasley, LEED Platinum Academic Building Study: Resources for Adopting a LEED Platinum Standard for the SW Quad. Report produced for the UWM SW Quad Sustainability, Public Space and Stormwater Management Plan. 2016.
  • Wasley, J. The UW College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Horse Barn as a LEED Platinum/ Living Building: An Illustrated Design Guide. Final report of funded design studio and faculty research for the UW-Madison campus architect. 2010.
  • J. Wasley, AAB An Art Academic Building Primer: Program, Precedent, Place and a Strategy for LEED Platinum Certification. Final report of funded design studio and faculty research for the UW-Madison campus architect. 2010.
  • Wasley, J. UWM as a Zero-Discharge Zone: A Stormwater Masterplan for the UWM Campus. Final report for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. 2006.
  • Wasley, J. CND Project Design Studio Profiles Round I: 2007-2008. Society of Building Science Educators Carbon Netural Design Project, J. Wasley lead P.I. Interim report to the funders. 2009.