Eric Corey Freed is a nationally known architect, author, speaker and thought-leader based out of Portland, Oregon. Eric has 25 years of experience with deep green and innovative buildings. He is the Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT, a visionary design practice focused on biophilic and regenerative design. Additionally, Eric serves as a Sustainability Disrupter at Morrison Hershfield.
Eric Corey Freed – Concrete Jungle to Rolling Hills
Eric grew up in Philadelphia and went to Overbrook High School. Living in a city with a strong sense of urban planning. His environment at the time was a concrete jungle of asphalt and graffiti and it was an unnatural place to play. Consequently, Eric sought out nature. Behind his house, a fence with a hole in it lead to a golf course and ultimately a sustainability career! He earned his B. Arch from Temple University and his Masters in Ecological Design from San Francisco Institute of Architecture.
“We went from a concrete jungle to rolling hills…it was our hidden escape.” – Eric
The Journey
From the age of 8 years old, Eric knew he wanted to be an Architect. During college he was able to live a year in Rome and then he worked for Beverly Willis in New York. He was planning his escape from New York and started reaching out to mentors. One of the mentors he reached out to offered him an opportunity in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Eric jumped at the chance.
“New York is an exciting place to be but not when you are broke.”
Light Bulb Moment
In Sante Fe, Eric built a dozen houses out of unusual materials and was able to apply this to his practice. Becoming restless, he went to San Francisco. Eric had 21 interviews in 3 days and was offered 21 jobs. He lasted 6 months at one of these jobs and then was ready to branch out on his own. His firm was originally his namesake, but his clients referred to it as organicARCHTECT.
“I knew if I could speak passionately about sustainable architecture it would start to attract clients.”
Bucket (and Book) List
Eric creates a bucket list each year. He wants to travel to Japan and scuba dive in the Maldives. Books he recommends are:
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
To hear more about Eric’s passion to affect change and make an impact to build green, download and listen to the episode!
Learn more about Eric:
Publications:
Architect Registration Exam (ARE) Study Guides (Series of 7 books)
“Green$ense for the Home: Rating the Real Payoff from 50 Green Home Projects”
Green Your Home All in One For Dummies
“Sustainable School Architecture”
“Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies”
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES:
Green Building Educational Services
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