Richard Lo

With over 20 years of experience in design and project management, Richard has worked in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Maine. He holds Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Building Science degrees from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, and he gained professional qualification as an architect in New Zealand in 1996.

A careful observer of people and places, Richard loves the challenge of matching local culture and climate to form and place–for the nicest people. His recent projects with Kaplan Thompson Architects include Friends School of Portland, Inn by the Sea, and Kamakura Restaurant.

Richard has a reputation for attention to detail and for responding to his clients’ needs with built solutions that exceed their expectations. He says, “I work and think best in visual terms, so for me beauty is an important element of design to celebrate. Sustainability and attainability are vitally important, but I am happiest if they are the quieter partners in the trio. All three must be present for a successful tune, but beauty leads.”

A perfect day for Richard is sketching or photographing buildings and streetscapes in the field. “Cities have always held an appeal for me: for their urban form, cultural history, and range of human experience on offer. There’s probably nothing else I’d like to do than draw my way through a great city—then meet up with friends and family.”