VAN DER RYN Architects - VA in the News

Marin Independent Journal. June 4, 2004. Van der Ryn Architects featured in cover story entitled "Conservation-friendly Burials: Dust to Dust Approach would be used at Cemetery Preserve near Mill Valley." Sim Van der Ryn leads the design team for the newly reimagined Marin County Cemetery.

The San Jose Mercury News, Thursday, June 3, 2004. Article entitled "Marin Site Plans Natural Burials: Living and Dead to Share Open Space" features green cemetery project for which Sim Van der Ryn is deisgn team leader.

Palisades Glacier Mountain Hut Competition, December 13 2003. Sim Van der Ryn served on the jury for this international competition sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley School of Architecture in the College of Environmental Design. Selection from over four hundred entries for critical, innovative, sustainable, experimental approach to project design. (Visit www.ced.berkeley.edu/competitions)

The University of Michigan's A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, October 17, 2003. Sim Van der Ryn honored with the 2003 Distinguished Alumnus Award for his renowned leadership in sustainable architecture. (Visit www.tcaup.umich.edu)

Times-Standard: The North Coast's Daily Newspaper Since 1854, Sunday, August 31, 2003. Article about a reception in honor of Sim Van der Ryn and a benefit for the Center for Environmental Economic Development and the Arcata Environmental Technology Hostel. (Visit www.times-standard.com)

Marin Scope Newspaper, August 12-18, 2003. Front page feature article entitled: "Architect Blazing the Trail in Ecological Design," by Editor Damien English. To contact the Marin Scope call, 415-339-8510.

Building Safety Magazine, May 2003. Artcile entitled "Alternate Materials: Designs and Methods" features Van der Ryn desinged Life Expression Chiropractic Center in Luzerne County Pennsylvania.

ASID ICON: The Magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers, May 2003.Van der Ryn Architects' Berea College Ecovillage project featured in "A Variety of Green: Case Studies Demonstrating the Diverse and Far-Reaching Applications of Going 'green.'" (Visit www.asid.org)

Marin Independent Journal, April 20, 2003. Van der Ryn Architects featured in article entitled "Green is Good in Marin: Businesses, Groups Honored for Protecting Environment, Saving Energy." Van der Ryn Architects was recognized on April 15, along with 14 other local businesses by the Marin County Green Business Program. For more information about Marin County's Green Business Program or becoming a Green Business contact the Marin County Community Development Agency www.co.marin.ca.us

Architectural Record, March 2003. Article called "Vegetation Systems Atop Buildings Yield Multiple Environmental Benefits: Roofing Technology Developed in Germany is Starting to Take Root in North America." Article features Van der Ryn designed and Roofscapes, Inc. engineered project, The Life Expression Chiropractic Health Center in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. (visit www.architecturalrecord.com)

Marin Independent Journal, March 8, 2003. Part One in a series of four called Green Scene. "Going Green: Ecological Design Makes Human Well-Being a Priority, Explains Pioneer in the Field." Interview with Sim Van der Ryn by IJ correspondent PJ Bremier.(contact Marin Independent Journal at 800-492-6845 or www.marinij.com)

Earth Island Journal: News of the World Environment, Spring 2003. Article entitled "Sustaining the Bluegrass" about several Van der Ryn designed green projects at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. (Visit Earth Island Journal at http://www.earthisland.org/eijournal/journal.cfm)

Billings Gazette March 11, 2003. Article entitled "More 'green Buildings' Needed" written about a talk Sim Van der Ryn gave at CTA Architects in Billings, Montana. Excerpt: "Millions of SUVs bombing down American highways aren't the only energy guzzlers. Some of the worst energy hogs in the United States are its buildings." (view article at www.billingsgazette.com)

Meme Magazine, December 2002. Exclusive intrerview of Sim Van der Ryn by the Fuji Research Institute Corporation.

Environmental Design + Construction Magazine November/December 2002. First part of a three part series, "Renovating the Design and Construction Process for Sustainable Success" by Sim Van der Ryn, Peter Rumsey and Chris Lotspeich. (contact www.EDCmag.com)

Landscape Architecture Magazine November 2002. Article entitled "Updating the Sod Roof: A German style ecoroof finds a home in suburban Pennsylvania" by Charlie Miller. Article explores the green roof feature of the Van der Ryn designed Chiropractic Center. (contact Landscape Architecture at 800-787-5267 or online at www.asla.org/nonmembers/lam.cfm

Environmental Building News November 2001. Feature article on Green Roofs showcased photos of Van der Ryn Architects designed Chiropractic Center in Pennsylvania. (contact EBN at www.BuildingGreen.com)

San Francisco Chronicle Saturday, October 27, 2001 article entitled "Power to the People: Solar Energy is Finally Feasible for Homes," features interview with Buddy Williams, designer with Van der Ryn Architects. Information about residential solar power.(visit San Francisco Chronicle at www.sfgate.com/news/)

ArchitecureWeek.com article entitled "Barriers to Green Building," features Van der Ryn Architects projects as examples of successful green design. (view article at www.ArchitectureWeek.com/2001/0822/environment_1-1.html)

Building With Vision: Optimizing and Finding Alternatives to Wood. This book produced by Watershed Media, Inc. includes an introduction entitled "Building as if the Forests Mattered" by Sim Van der Ryn. (contact Watershed Media, Inc. at 556 Matheson Street, Healdsburg, California 95448 707-895-3490 or www.watershedmedia.org

Sim Van der Ryn has been appointed Bruce Goff Visiting Professor, Department of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. He will be leading studio and seminar courses in sustainable design in the Fall of 2001.

Marin Independent Journal, June 12, 2001, article entitled "Energy-Saving Incentives OK'd" makes reference to Sim Van der Ryn as consultant to Marin County. As sustainability consultant to the county, Van der Ryn will review building codes and address energy efficiency. (contact Marin Independent Journal at 800-492-6845 or www.marinij.com)

The Golden Acorn Award was presented to Sim Van der Ryn and Van der Ryn Architects on May 17, 2001 by the Environmental Forum of Marin. The Golden Acorn Award is presented annually to the person or business who has advanced environmental education through business practices and has shown a commitment to sustainability in Marin. (contact The Environmental Forum of Marin at www.marinefm.org/committees.html#acorn)

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Professional Development Program: Sustainable Design features a case study of the Real Goods Solar Living Center designed by Van der Ryn Architects. (contact www.ncarb.org/publications/index.html)

Boston Society of Architects and the AIA New York Sustainable Design Award given to the Real Goods Solar Living Center designed by Van der Ryn Architects. (contact Boston Society of Architects at www.architects.org/news.html)

San Francisco Bay Guardian, February 14-20, 2001 issue, article "Let There Be Light: A Sustainable Energy Policy for California," with comments, information and input from Sim Van der Ryn. (contact San Francisco Bay Guardian at www.sfbg.com)

Pacific Sun cover story "Solar Flair," February 7-13, 2001, features some of Sim Van der Ryn's opinions and perspectives on alternative power. (contact Pacific Sun at: 415-383-4500)

American Demographics magazine, January 2001 issue, features the comments of Dave Deppen, Vice President at Van der Ryn Architects, in feature article, "Green Homes: The Eco-Friendly Homebuilding Movement Enters Adolescence." (contact American Demographics Magazine at www.demographics.com)

Design Professionals and the Built Environment, a book edited by Paul Knox and Peter Ozolins features a chapter entitled "Building Ecology: Place, People and Pulse" by Sim Van der Ryn. Copyright 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Marin County's Community Development Agency presented Sim Van der Ryn with the "Sustainability Trailblazer" award in October 2000. The award was presented to Van der Ryn for his "many years spent working to enhance Marin's quality of life."

Alternative Construction: Contemporary Building Methods, a book edited by Lynne Elizabeth and Cassandra Adams features a foreward by Sim Van der Ryn and Bob Berkebile. Copyright 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

American Institute of Architects San Francisco Chapter features Real Goods Solar Living Center and Nicasio Residence by Van der Ryn Architects in Small Firms Great Projects 2000. The projects appear in the AIA publication of the same name and are displayed in a traveling exhibition. See our calendar section for dates and locations of the exhibition. (contact AIA at: 415-362-7397)

Custom Home features a Van der Ryn-designed residence in "Healthy Outlook: Interest in Healthy Houses is Gaining Strength" by Meghan Drueding. September 2000. (contact Custom Home at: 877-734-6650)

Pacific Sun Cover Story, "The Visionary: Architect Sim Van der Ryn Pushes the Ecological Envelope with His Pioneering Designs," July 12-18, 2000. (contact Pacific Sun at: 415-383-4500)

Click here for link to Adobe Acrobat PDF file Pacific Sun Cover.

Click here for link to Adobe Acrobat PDF file Pacific Sun Feature.

Click here to read about a free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader, the software that lets you view and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

San Francisco Business Times, "Executive Profile on Sim Van der Ryn," July 28 - August 3, 2000 Volume 14, Number 52. (contact San Francisco Business Times at: 415-989-2522)

Infoseek Founder Steve Kirsch has donated $2 million to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District to build the De Anza College Environmental Studies Building which Van der Ryn Architects designed. In giving the grant (the largest gift ever made to the district), Kirsch, the founder of Infoseek and a well-known environmentalist, said this building "is an opportunity for some significant impact in helping to educate a lot of people about the environment in a way they can feel and touch and see." (June 2000)

Marin Scope, "Van der Ryn Noted for Eco-Friendly Building Designs," June 5-11, 2000, Volume 30, No. 8. (contact Marin Scope at: 415-332-3778)

The Department of Energy has chosen the Van der Ryn Architects designed Real Goods Solar Living Center as one of its key case study buildings for its new "High Performance Commercial Buildings Project." This project seeks to encourage and support energy efficiency in commercial buildings by identifying and publicizing innovative "whole building" approaches to sustainability and occupant well-being. (April 2000)

John M. McPhail, Jr. Business Award was presented to Sim Van der Ryn and Van der Ryn Architects on April 7, 2000 by the Marin Conservation League for "creativity and ecological sensitivity in their work and for helping set an environmental standard for business." (contact the Marin Conservation League at: www.conservationleague.org)

The Breaking Wave by David Pearson.
David Pearson's new book, which is due out in 2000, will feature several of our projects as state-of-the-art examples of ecological design. A biography and interview with Sim Van der Ryn are also including in the book. The Breaking Wave is a follow-up to Pearson's highly acclaimed, The Natural House Book.

Marin Independent Journal, "A Life Spent Thinking Green," a biographical article about Sim Van der Ryn by Beth Ashley, February 8, 2000. (contact Marin Independent Journal at: 800-492-6845)

Marin Independent Journal, Business Profile: "Architectural Firm Blends Green Ideas with Fine Design," January 27, 2000. (contact Marin Independent Journal at: 800-492-6845)

San Francisco Chronicle, "Green House Effects: The Bay Area Warms up to Versatile Eco-Architcture" by Rona Marech, January 26, 2000. (contact San Francisco Chronicle at: 415-777-1111)

Landscape Architecture, "A Place in the Sun: Solar Power gets Real in northern California," by Paul Bennett, January 2000. (contact Landscape Architecture at: 800-787-LAMS)

Fast Company magazine has chosen Van der Ryn Architects as an associated "fast company" in recognition of our "unique and powerful contributions to the New Economy." (January 2000)

BISES Magazine, Yoshiko Kasuga wrote a feature article on a Van der Ryn Architects designed Straw Bale Residence in Nicasio, December 1999. (contact BISES at: www.president.co.jp/bises/)

The Ecological Design Handbook, Fred Stitt, editor. 1999. Our Vice President, Dave Deppen's section, "How to Uncover the Secrets of the Land," has been called one of the real gems of the book by Environmental Building News.

VM+SD (Visual Merchandising and Store Design), "Ain't Nothing Like the Real (Good) Thing," July 1999, Volume 130, No. 7. (contact VM+SD at: www.visualstore.com or 513-421-2050)

BIO-City, "Thoughts on Sacred Landscape and the Geometry of Hope" by Sim Van der Ryn, 1999, No. 16. (contact BIO-City at: 03-3478-4600)

Natural Home Magazine, "Getting Goods on Reals Goods" by Lisa Chatterdon, May/June 1999. (Reprint of 12/98 Fast Company article.) (contact Natural Home at: 800-272-2193)

The American Institute of Architects chose the Real Goods Solar Living Center, completed in 1996, as one of the Top Ten Environmental Projects in the United States for Earth Day 1999. (April 1999)

The H.O.P.E.S. Conference of the University of Oregon gave a second place award to our Lake Elementary School Tree Planting and Design Project. The committee felt it was an excellent example of student and community involvement, participatory planning and design, and ecological restoration. (April 1999)

AIA Environmental Resource Guide, "Project Report 8 - Real Goods Solar Living Center," American Institute of Architects, 1998. (contact John Wiley & Sons, Inc at: 212-850-6011)

Fast Company, "Green is Good" by Lisa Chadderdon, December 1998. (contact Fast Company at: www.fastcompany.com or 410-754-8246)

Sunset, "Straw Bales", May 1998 (contact Sunset at: www.sunsetmagazine.com or 800-777-0017)

The Pacific Sun, "Advanced Ecology: Designing Places of Comfort and Beauty that Conserve Energy," October 8, 1997. (contact The Pacific Sun at: 415-383-4500)

The Last Straw, "Building with the Sun: the Real Goods Solar Living Center" and "Goal-Oriented Design: The SLC's Underlying Premise" by David Arkin, Summer 1997. (contact Out on Bale at: 520-624-1673)

IS: Interiors and Sources, "Learning about Ecological Design with Sim Van der Ryn" by Diane Wintroub Calmenson, October 1996. (contact IS at: www.ISdesigNet.com or 561-627-3393)

Solar Today, "The Real Goods Solar Living Center" by Mark Winkler, May/June 1996. (contact Solar Today at: www.ases.org or 303-443-3130)

Environmental Building News, "Bales and Earth Protect Real Goods' New Retail Center," January/February 1996. (contact Environmental Building News at: www.buildinggreen.com or 802-257-7300)

Marin Independent Journal, "Light on the Land: Green Gets More Stylish in Home Building" by Rebecca Larsen, January 6, 1996. (contact Main Independent Journal at: 800-492-6845)

BIO-City, "Form Follows Flow" by Sim Van der Ryn, Autumn 1995, No. 6. (contact Bio-City at: 03-3478-4600)