Key Strengths
- Arts Cultural & Education Facilities
- Affordable Adaptable Housing
- Sustainable Design Expertise
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Approach
- Attentive Communications + Follow-through
Community
ORA dedicates a significant portion of our time to pro-bono work for non-profits and clients serving communities in need. We are actively involved with Architects Without Borders, including design of a school and community center in Kenya, Katrina disaster relief, and Centralia Floods assistance.
media + exhibits
EXHIBITS:
Urban Interventions:
Dion Vivarium – Boston 2009
Designers Making Change:
Rabuor Village Project – Seattle 2009
99K House Competition:
Houston, Dallas, Seattle – 2008-2009
MEDIA/PUBLICATIONS:
SIFF Film Center - DJC
Rabuor Village Partners - DJC
99K - Urban Land Institute - W. Macht
99K - opening - Channel 2 Houston
99K - opening - KUHF Radio
The 99K House, Rice Design Alliance
Profile
ORA provides innovative design services to community-focused public and non-profit organizations. We believe in the power of design to enhance and support each client’s unique mission, and we thrive on the collaborative exploration and discovery process. Each design evolves through a deliberate process centered on extensive research and open-minded exploration, collaborative inspiration, and determined follow-through. We strive to create inspiring architecture that helps our clients achieve their mission on all levels – from community engagement, to inspiring workplace, to adaptable living, to environmental, economic and social sustainability. As a small firm, we thrive on accomplishing more with less – adapting quickly to new opportunities; providing efficient and attentive services, offering large firm experience with small firm efficiency and responsiveness.
People
Owen Richards, aia, leed ap
Owen brings 30 years experience in a wide range of projects, with particular expertise in the design of Arts and Cultural Facilities. He has provided architectural leadership on over 20 major arts, media, performing arts, and museum projects. He has a proven record of leading multi-disciplinary teams through all phases of design and construction. He is the past president of Architects without Borders-Seattle and past facilities chair of On the Boards. He graduated from Rice University in 1979 with majors in Architecture and Photography, and an unofficial minor in theater as an actor and set constructor. Prior to starting ORA in 2004, he was a principal for nine years at LMN Architects in Seattle. He has also practiced architecture in New York, Atlanta, and Australia. In addition to theater and architecture, his passions include photography, film, sapo, and long-distance cycling.
Kate Cudney, Leed ap
Kate came to architecture with extensive experience as an -arts educator, sculptor, theatrical set designer and producer, dancer, graphic designer, and carpenter. She holds a Masters of Architecture from University of Washington and a BA in sculpture from Dartmouth College. She is active with Architects Without Borders as a team leader of the Rabuor Village Project in Kenya. Kate is also an avid telemark skier, a bike commuter, and an urban farmer.
ORA provides innovative design services to community-focused public and non-profit organizations. We believe in the power of design to enhance and support each client’s unique mission, and we thrive on the collaborative exploration and discovery process. Each design evolves through a deliberate process centered on extensive research and open-minded exploration, collaborative inspiration, and determined follow-through. We strive to create inspiring architecture that helps our clients achieve their mission on all levels – from community engagement, to inspiring workplace, to adaptable living, to environmental, economic and social sustainability. As a small firm, we thrive on accomplishing more with less – adapting quickly to new opportunities; providing efficient and attentive services, offering large firm experience with small firm efficiency and responsiveness.
People
Owen Richards, aia, leed ap
Owen brings 30 years experience in a wide range of projects, with particular expertise in the design of Arts and Cultural Facilities. He has provided architectural leadership on over 20 major arts, media, performing arts, and museum projects. He has a proven record of leading multi-disciplinary teams through all phases of design and construction. He is the past president of Architects without Borders-Seattle and past facilities chair of On the Boards. He graduated from Rice University in 1979 with majors in Architecture and Photography, and an unofficial minor in theater as an actor and set constructor. Prior to starting ORA in 2004, he was a principal for nine years at LMN Architects in Seattle. He has also practiced architecture in New York, Atlanta, and Australia. In addition to theater and architecture, his passions include photography, film, sapo, and long-distance cycling.
Kate Cudney, Leed ap
Kate came to architecture with extensive experience as an -arts educator, sculptor, theatrical set designer and producer, dancer, graphic designer, and carpenter. She holds a Masters of Architecture from University of Washington and a BA in sculpture from Dartmouth College. She is active with Architects Without Borders as a team leader of the Rabuor Village Project in Kenya. Kate is also an avid telemark skier, a bike commuter, and an urban farmer.