FIRM PROFILE
After four decades in professional practice, founder and firm principal closed WORKPLAYS studio*architecture to pursue new architecture & urban design challenges as City Architect for the City of West Hollywood. We are grateful to the many clients, city officials, and community that through our firm or individual efforts we were able serve through design, development, advocacy, and volunteerism.
The Studio was an energetic and industrious studio-based firm, emphasizing forward thinking ideas and professional expertise, that employed creative building strategies as part of its compelling urban visions. The foundation for projects at the WORKPLAYS was a fundamental belief in the joys to be derived from everyday living - a morning beverage, reading for pleasure, a creative work environment, social entertaining, intimate interludes, private retreats.
It is our hope that our dedication and effort resulted in projects that were recognizable for their humanity, economy of means and greater economic, social, and environmental value.
FIRM PHILOSOPHY
We live in a world of infinite possibilities in which our dreams are shaped by both our desires and fears. Nowhere is this more apparent than the way in which we build. At WORKPLAYS we sought measurable means to shape and craft the immeasurable. Design was always in supporting contexts where spontaneous actions could fuse with the daily rituals we undertake. It was the everyday patterns of work and play where opportunities yet identified or imagined were to be found. Most importantly the WORKPLAYS believed in making a livable city through a careful study of site and environmental forces, typological conventions, and creative building practices.
PRINCIPAL BIO
WORKPLAYS studio was founded by Ric. Abramson, FAIA in 2003 after his four-year tenure as a design partner in the Santa Monica firm of David Lawrence Gray Architects. Ric. studied architecture and urban design in Rome, Italy as a Fulbright scholar and Visiting Artist at the American Academy in Rome, Mr. Abramson divides his time between his professional interests (including innovative infill subdivisions, multi-unit housing, custom residential work, mixed-use developments, commercial and urban design projects), land use consulting services, personal academic research, and local community involvement throughout the Southland.
Ric. has served as a member of the architectural faculties at the USC School of Architecture (1998-2014) and SCIArc (1992-98). His professional service includes terms on the AIA| California Council, AIA| Los Angeles and Center for Architecture & Urban Design L.A. Board of Directors. Within his community, he has served as a Public Facilities Commissioner and chaired an affordable housing non-profit Board. At the State level, Ric. successfully proposed two legislative Bills that were signed into law by California Governor Brown. He also chaired the AIA|California's Housing Congress that explored innovative comprehensive research, design, programming, and policy, and environmental solutions for the State. At the national level, Ric. represented the California region on the AIA's Strategic Council in Washington DC as well as the AIA|SFx Small Firm Exchange.
His work has been recognized throughout his career. As a young architect, California Home & Design Magazine named Workplays studio on their “10 to Watch List” as an energetic firm “poised to make its mark on California architecture”. In 2016, Ric. was elevated to the AIA National College of Fellows for his broad ranging, transcendent professional achievements. And in 2019, AIA Los Angeles recognized him with a Presidential Honoree Award as an inaugural recipient of their Citizen Architect for the City of Los Angeles.
After four decades in professional practice, founder and firm principal closed WORKPLAYS studio*architecture to pursue new architecture & urban design challenges as City Architect for the City of West Hollywood. We are grateful to the many clients, city officials, and community that through our firm or individual efforts we were able serve through design, development, advocacy, and volunteerism.
The Studio was an energetic and industrious studio-based firm, emphasizing forward thinking ideas and professional expertise, that employed creative building strategies as part of its compelling urban visions. The foundation for projects at the WORKPLAYS was a fundamental belief in the joys to be derived from everyday living - a morning beverage, reading for pleasure, a creative work environment, social entertaining, intimate interludes, private retreats.
It is our hope that our dedication and effort resulted in projects that were recognizable for their humanity, economy of means and greater economic, social, and environmental value.
FIRM PHILOSOPHY
We live in a world of infinite possibilities in which our dreams are shaped by both our desires and fears. Nowhere is this more apparent than the way in which we build. At WORKPLAYS we sought measurable means to shape and craft the immeasurable. Design was always in supporting contexts where spontaneous actions could fuse with the daily rituals we undertake. It was the everyday patterns of work and play where opportunities yet identified or imagined were to be found. Most importantly the WORKPLAYS believed in making a livable city through a careful study of site and environmental forces, typological conventions, and creative building practices.
PRINCIPAL BIO
WORKPLAYS studio was founded by Ric. Abramson, FAIA in 2003 after his four-year tenure as a design partner in the Santa Monica firm of David Lawrence Gray Architects. Ric. studied architecture and urban design in Rome, Italy as a Fulbright scholar and Visiting Artist at the American Academy in Rome, Mr. Abramson divides his time between his professional interests (including innovative infill subdivisions, multi-unit housing, custom residential work, mixed-use developments, commercial and urban design projects), land use consulting services, personal academic research, and local community involvement throughout the Southland.
Ric. has served as a member of the architectural faculties at the USC School of Architecture (1998-2014) and SCIArc (1992-98). His professional service includes terms on the AIA| California Council, AIA| Los Angeles and Center for Architecture & Urban Design L.A. Board of Directors. Within his community, he has served as a Public Facilities Commissioner and chaired an affordable housing non-profit Board. At the State level, Ric. successfully proposed two legislative Bills that were signed into law by California Governor Brown. He also chaired the AIA|California's Housing Congress that explored innovative comprehensive research, design, programming, and policy, and environmental solutions for the State. At the national level, Ric. represented the California region on the AIA's Strategic Council in Washington DC as well as the AIA|SFx Small Firm Exchange.
His work has been recognized throughout his career. As a young architect, California Home & Design Magazine named Workplays studio on their “10 to Watch List” as an energetic firm “poised to make its mark on California architecture”. In 2016, Ric. was elevated to the AIA National College of Fellows for his broad ranging, transcendent professional achievements. And in 2019, AIA Los Angeles recognized him with a Presidential Honoree Award as an inaugural recipient of their Citizen Architect for the City of Los Angeles.