Rahm Rechtschaffen is a designer and woodworker who lives with his family in Woodstock, NY. Rahm has a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Catholic University in Washington, DC and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Psychology from Tufts University in Medford, MA.

Prior to starting architecture school, Rahm worked for a solar contractor installing a patented solar heating system on government buildings in the DC metro area. He also interned at the U.S. Green Building Council, becoming well-versed in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program.

Before starting his own practice, Rahm worked for a variety of firms including Landis Architects/Builders one of Washington DC area’s top design-build firms, Peter Brock, Architect a collaboration of Architects and craftspeople focused on residential design in Berkeley, CA, Integrated Structures, a firm in Berkeley, CA that specializes in an innovative method of straw bale construction, and North River Architecture & Planning, a full-service architectural design firm specializing in energy-efficient, sustainable and Passive House design in Stone Ridge, NY.

When he’s not working, Rahm spends time with his family, builds furniture, plays basketball and tennis, and maintains an extensive garden.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

A well-designed building is one that is in balance with its surrounding. It should be in harmony with the natural environment, other nearby buildings, and the people who interact with it. Buildings are an integral part of our living environment and we should expect our buildings to enhance the way we live and feel within that environment.

The design of any object, from a piece of furniture to a house to a large building, is a journey of experimentation and refinement. We start with the functional needs and desired aesthetics of future users and balance those with the existing constraints and opportunities, including budget, site conditions, and available materials. From this beginning we can experiment with possible designs, refining them until we come to the best solution. In this process, often referred to as the design spiral, we circle the problem, coming closer to the solution on each pass.

The needs and experience of a building’s users and the realities of the site conditions should always be the drivers of any design. Professional designers do not have a monopoly on aesthetics or “good design” and should, instead of designing to their own, preconceived ideas, design to create the best possible space for its users and the greater environment. Designers should be a conduit through which great design is achieved.

SUSTAINABILITY

Unfortunately, building projects are inherently bad for the environment. Construction can spoil undisturbed land, use up raw materials, often with high embodied energy costs and enormous amounts of waste, and require the use of electricity and fossil fuels to complete the work and operate the building. But with the right approach we can reduce these environmental costs.

First, we should build less. Smaller, more efficient layouts and re-use of existing buildings is always preferable.

Second, construction should be done with environmental awareness. During the design process and during construction, environmental impact should factor into every decision.

Third, buildings should be built to last. The longer a building is useful, the less new, environmentally harmful work needs to be performed. Buildings should be designed in a timeless style with flexible layouts and construction should be done to the highest standard with quality materials.