Ross Chapin’s West Coast Green Early Adopter’s Workshop Interview

Ross Chapin, Ross Chapin Architects

www.rosschapin.com

What inspired or caused you to get involved in green building & how many years ago was that?

In 1972, Tom Bender was my teacher at the University of Minnesota School of Architecture. He was an inspiration to my young mind, opening me to the “energetics of space”. The class took on the question “is it possible to create a completely self-sufficient house?”, following through with research, design and construction of the “Ouroboros” House.  It had an earth-sheltered green roof, active/passive solar heat, wind-power, composting toilet system, ultra-low water bathing facility, and a food greenhouse.

And I’ve been inspired by Robert Gilman , who I met in 1982.  He was asking the BIG questions about creating a vibrant, sustainable culture.  He walked his talk, creating living models.  He was the one who pointed out the different roles of scouts and pioneers who lead the way and settlers who come after.

2 or 3 examples of what do you do to keep you on your edge?

I look at the state of the world and ask, What Time is it? What can I do to bring health and vibrancy?

I try to step outside myself in an attempt to see a problem from another point of view to find a solution.

I often listen to my Beauty Mind, where I ask myself a question and sense the vibrancy of the response - whether more resonant or more dull. Positive resonance is always the best choice!

What are the next steps for you to get to the next level?

Research and writing a book about creating vibrant, small-scale community.

Envisioning a ‘Green School’, and gathering people to bring it to fruition.

Working on city policy to shift development patterns through zoning codes and a comprehensive plan; then taking steps to create real models.

What feelings come up for you when you think of these steps?

Can get overwhelmed, but am calmed by working in the garden, going out for a swim and having breakfast on the porch with my wife.  I’m inspired by the energy of the younger generation - to do what I can to make a world worth passing on. 

What are a couple of success stories of bringing along your network to their next level?

We designed and built the Third Street Cottages in Langley, the first contemporary pocket neighborhood, and followed with numerous additional community-oriented projects that have received national media coverage and peer review, and inspired developers and city planners across the country.

If you were to describe your network as a metaphor, what comes to mind...what would it be?

A web of coherence – when I feel a particular attunement to something, I feel a resonance with others in my network who are attuned to the same thing.

Next steps in working with your network in helping & inspiring them to the next level

The Pocket Neighborhood book is the biggest next step for me, then a related website, and then more outreach and in-depth teaching. I am also working on forming a Green School.

Resources you’d suggest

The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild, www.WorldChanging.com , www.ted.com ,  www.natureoforder.com , http://www.livingneighborhoods.org

Anything else you’d like to tell me that I haven’t asked?

Let’s all smile!