Ric. Abramson, FAIA, has a vast amount of knowledge and passion when it comes to the Housing Crisis, which is why he is an ideal member of the AIACC Housing Congress. Here’s a bit more insight into this man and where his ideas originate.
- When did you decide to become an architect?
Actually this happened more by happenstance. I had always enjoyed process of making things and had studied ceramics, puppetry, painting, cartooning, geometry and graphic design before taking a drafting class in high school. One day was summoned to the office and Guidance Counselor asked, “What are you doing with the rest of your life?”. Hadn’t given it much thought but after talking it through with one another he concluded, “You should be an architect.” Figured I would give it a try. Applied and was accepted to Cal Poly, SLO. As college years progressed, I grew to love architecture more and more and realized I had found a true passion be happenstance as opposed to careful planning. - If you weren’t an architect, you would be…
Family lore contends that when I was seven years old I insisted I would be a farmer when I grew up. Prior to moving towards architecture, I thought briefly about oceanography as I was so curious about the majority of the planet about which we know so little. - What did you listen to on this morning’s commute?
Actually don’t listen to music much. Sort of strange I suppose. Also do not listen to news commentary much either. Cannot be trusted so why waste the time. Generally spend the commute catching up with friends or making business calls. - Coffee or tea?
Both/and. Find coffee a good way to get up and going or stay somewhat alert when needed and tea for relaxation. - Why are you serving on the Housing Congress?
The older I get, and the more experience I garner, the more I realize just how little influence architects actually have in making cities. In affecting policy and, strategizing growth of the city itself.
Yes, architects design housing, and even win some awards, depending on design or technical innovation or aesthetics. But when it comes down influencing how cities are made through housing and land-use policy, I feel as though architects generally do not have a proverbial seat at the table. (At least this is what I have learned from my experiences.)
Which leads me to believe there has to be a different, more inclusive way. I’m interested in how this process might change. Housing is a fundamental human need, yet the process of designing and producing new housing seems a bit backwards. Policy is set first based on arbitrary round numbers (or what I construe as arbitrary round numbers. Can anyone decode or translate how these numbers are really determined?) And then designers are asked to somehow make it fit. (As if we have Tim Gunn from “Project Runway” over our shoulder chanting, “Make it work.”) Instead, in my opinion, design thinking and creative typological and lifestyle-based solutions geared towards crafting more livable, dense urbanized areas should be led by architects and urban designers first. Innovative ideas are more effective when absent arbitrary and prescriptive constraints. Once effective, situational and performance-based housing solutions are generated then necessary policy and collaboration can follow.. I see the Housing Congress as a first step in discussing how these types of housing solutions might start to emerge through leadership by architects. - One place you want to visit from your bucket list:
Too many places on the bucket list but first one that comes to mind would be the Mesa Verde Cave Dwellings. Something so clear there about housing a large population in concert with nature, day and night, and the changing seasons.
