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Answers Phil’s questions
By Phil Good
Dec 3 | archive | subscribe
American architect Eric Corey Freed is based in San Francisco and is credited with helping to establish the Sustainable Design curricula at Academy of Art University and University of California, Berkeley Extension Program. He is author of "Green Building for Dummies", published by Wiley in August 2007.
You
What work do you do?
I am a green architect – I design environmentally friendly buildings.
How does it relate to green, good or giving?
Well, buildings are our most destructive industry, consuming over 40 percent of our energy and materials. If you’re interested in saving the world, improving our buildings is a great place to start. In addition to design, we produce green themed events and lectures, publish our research for free on our website (www.organicarchitect.com) and teach other architects and developers HOW to be green.
What are you working on at the moment? Any major projects?
There’s a lot going on… I don’t know where to start. My new book, "Green Building for Dummies", just came out. I am excited about that.
How do you get to work?
I live and work in North Beach. Walking is easy. I don’t know why anyone would choose to brave the traffic to get to work every single day.
What long and winding road led you to your current position?
I knew I wanted to be an architect at a young age. More importantly, I knew I wanted to be a GOOD architect doing something new and innovative. I never understood why someone would choose to do mediocre and mundane work, yet the majority of what gets built it simply terrible.
Where were you born? Where do you live now?
I was born in Philadelphia, trained in New York, and cultured in Santa Fe. I’ve been here in San Francisco for ten years now.
What has been the worst moment in your professional life to date?
What a terrible question! Three times in my career I had to threaten to take a client to court for unpaid invoices. To me, that shows a failure in communication from both sides and I am very hard on myself about those events.
What's been the best?
Right now. Of course, my goal is for that to always be the case.
Green
What environmental offense has infuriated you the most?
I have two major ones that I see on a daily basis: 1.) SUV drivers talking on their cell phone (a double insult) and, 2.) people who purchase something in a container, take it in a bag to go, and then walk 2 minutes back to their office and throw the bag away.
Who is your environmental hero?
I think David Orr, Professor of Sustainability at Oberlin, is a rock star. Ray Anderson, President of Interface Carpet, is another visionary environmentalist. Of course, Paul Hawken is also one of my favorites. Do I have to only choose one?!
What's your environmental vice?
Oh, I have many. Most people assume I would be a vegan and only wear hemp clothing… but I have many parts of my daily life that are not sustainable. The secret is to know what they are and to fight to change those things. Triple-ply toilet paper comes to mind.
Which stereotype about environmentalists most fits you?
I don’t think I know anymore what the stereotype even is!
What's your favorite place or ecosystem?
I love the Italian hilltown of Sienna. It stands as a model eco-city: dense, car free and surrounded by nature.
If you could institute by fiat one environmental reform, what would it be?
No more government subsides for coal or oil.
Good
What is the best idea you’ve heard lately?
Biologically based building materials that heal themselves.
What is your motto?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world…”
What is your favorite virtue?
Passion.
How do you spend your free time?
I don’t have free time. I fill every minute with activity. I am impossible to go on vacation with since I can’t stand sitting still or doing nothing!
I like to make tiny clay sculptures of organic forms. It sounds weird, but they are very cool looking.
What's your favorite meal?
Is chocolate considered a meal?
Giving
What is your philosophy of giving?
Giving time and ideas is more important than simply giving money.
What is your first memory of volunteering or making a donation?
I joined Greenpeace when I was ten… but I don’t remember why. I started donating blood when I was in high school and continue giving today.
What organization are you affiliated with presently?
Principal, organicARCHITECT
What category or causes do you support philosophically or financially?
I look for three things:
1. pushing the art of design forward
2. promoting the issues of sustainability
3. educating the public about the need for sustainable solutions
Where do you volunteer?
I do numerous pro bono projects for clients in need. This varies wildly.
For example: I mentored students in the national Solar Decathlon design competition. My students this year from Santa Clara University came in third place!
Who is your role model for giving?
Cameron Sinclair, from Architecture for Humanity
What inspires your impulse to give or volunteer?
Inspires? I don’t know what you mean… I donate my time and resources because it’s part of what I feel any business should do for its community.
Who should volunteer of give?
Everyone!
Finally
Who was your favorite musical artist when you were 18? How about now?
When I was eighteen: The Cure Now: The Cure
What's your favorite movie?
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Being There, and Brazil.
Which actor would play you in the story of your life?
Hopefully, Johnny Depp will be available.
If you could have every Phil reader do one thing, what would it be?
They could buy me a cupcake.