Rick Ames has a held a strong commitment to site specific, humanistic design since founding Next Phase Studios, Architects in 1993. He has focused his work on environmental performance and justice in the built and natural worlds, since forever, starting with the teachings of his parents. He is a licensed architect in Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey.
Currently, he is an active member or leadership in several green initiatives and organizations:
Built Environment +
ILFI for LBC (Living Building Challenge)
NESEA Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
U.S. Green Building Council (LEED)
Mayor’s Green Technology Advisory Panel
Yestermorrow School, Boston Building Materials Re-use Center, MA Audubon, Roca, Trustees of Reservations, Youthbuild Boston, NEFF, Bikes not Bombs
Rick has a Master of Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of technology (MIT) and Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Vermont (UVM) in a self-designed major in Architectural & Engineering Studies. Education and research are an active part of the practice with ongoing teaching commitments. Rick is an avid bike commuter and while not in the office, he can be found riding road and off-road bicycles, building home projects, and getting into the wilderness. He and his wife Meg have two daughters. Travel is the best.