West Hollywood architect Ric Abramson will be recognized as a Presidential Honoree for
“The Citizen Architect Award recognizes those architects who consistently apply design insights, talents, and training to advance leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement, and who strive to be a voice of the profession to the general public,” says an announcement of the award.
Over the past 15 years, Abramason has served on the West Hollywood Public Facilities Commission, as a volunteer on its General Plan Advisory Committee, on the Sustainable City, Green Building and Dog Park subcommittees, on the Environmental Task Force, and on the Historic Rehab Incentives and Transportation Demand Management Working Groups.
Abramson is the former chair of the board of the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation and currently chairs the AIA California State Housing Congress, exploring design-based solutions to housing and homelessness challenges.
His firm, WorkPlays Studio Architecture, is consulting with the County of Los Angeles on a proposed small lot/compact house ordinance and design guidelines to expand homeownership opportunities in under-served communities.
Abramson will be honored at the 2019 AIA|LA Design Awards ceremony on Oct. 25.
Abramson is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (BArch, 1985) and UCLA (MArch, 1996) and has served on the faculties at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc 1993-98) and the USC School of Architecture (1998-2012). He studied architecture in Italy (1995-96) as a Fulbright scholar and as a visiting artist at the American Academy in Rome (1995). Abramson recently completed a three-year term representing California on the AIA National Strategic Council, a design professional-based think tank in Washington DC.
A recognized leader in the built environment and advocate for architecture, urban design, small firm practice and housing affordability, Abramson has been active in local and statewide policy affecting his profession and his community, including bringing forward two pieces of legislation signed by Governor Brown.
Congratulations to Ric! This acknowledgement of his using his talents and expertise to contribute to the improvement of his community and the lives of others is well deserved. I’ve had the privilege to know and work with Ric back when I was a Council Deputy to then Mayor/Councilmember Jeff Prang on the City’s first Green Building Ordinance and more recently in my current role as District Director for Assemblymember Richard Bloom on State Density and Live/Work Housing legislation, among others. Ric is great to work with and I echo Mike Dolan’s comments below.
Just the nicest person. Friendly, conversational; all around upstanding person. He does not have any airs or sense of elitist. He is a pro and deserves the success and recognition he has obviously work to acquire. He is an exemplary architect and design influence. West Hollywood has been lucky to be the recipients of his influence as we progress forward. Thank you Ric. I love this project.
Nice work.