An artist at heart, Rick began his career as a potter and sculptor after earning a B.A. in art from California Lutheran College. From his perspective "Architecture is a grander scale of sculpture, one that people can walk through and live within." When working with an existing building, he views it initially in terms of 3-dimensional shapes and planes.  This approach generates designs that improve both its style and sculptural appeal. He enjoys working with people, getting a sense of their needs in the context of their lifestyles and their own aesthetics, primary components in residential design work. He finds it especially rewarding when, years after one of his projects has been completed, people tell him that they're still enjoying the space and how well it "works." Rick spends most of his spare time out-of-doors gardening, working on his house, and traveling, including road trips in the western United States. He enjoys visiting remote and rugged areas, among them the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and the rough coasts of Ireland.