Architect Ray Kappe

By: Julian Chavez | August 20, 2009 | Design Profile

How did you come to create the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)?
The Southern California Institute of Architecture was the outgrowth of the successful program under my chairmanship at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The dean, however, began to use architecture for his own agenda, and when I told him what I thought of him, the dean asked me to resign. Student demonstrations began immediately with T-shirts and building posters with my image everywhere around the Environmental Design Building and helicopters overhead! The Professors Union asked me to stay on until they could wage a case against arbitrary power on campus. When the case was won in their favor, I resigned followed by five faculty members and Shelly Kappe, who, as a volunteer consultant, was doing special programs and public relations for the department. At that time, the program had been in existence for three and a half years prior to the founding of SCI-Arc or “The New School” as it was first called in 1972 by seven faculty members and 75 students. The founding faculty [included myself as] founding director, Shelly Kappe, Ahde Lahti, Thom Mayne, Bill Simonian, Glen Small and Jim Stafford.
Since the program was no longer locked into a university system and its requirements, the option for change offered an exciting opportunity. The emphasis could now be placed upon the individual student. With fewer numbers, there could be more personalization. There could be greater flexibility, more options, and self-motivation could be encouraged. A college-without-walls concept became the basis for the program. The whole Southern California area was intended to be used as a learning laboratory.

Through the use of the interdisciplinary seminar, community leaders and educators from all areas of study were brought to SCI-Arc to impart knowledge in the behavioral sciences, ecology, economics, philosophy, politics, history, literature and the arts. These seminars were related to architecture and planning so that students would be exposed to the broadest spectrum of thought.
Today, with 500 students, including 250 in its graduate program, SCI-Arc is considered one of the most respected architectural schools in the world having attained that distinction soon after it was created. I directed the school for 15 years before I retired in 1987. In addition to my busy practice at that time, it was a very important part of my life.

In your opinion, what is the difference between a good architect and a great architect?

This is a difficult question. Most of us aspire to being a good architect. At least this was my goal. Greatness requires tremendous drive, connections, great clients and projects that communicate in a special way. For me the most important attribute for doing satisfying work is to be comfortable and honest with yourself. I have enjoyed being a respected Los Angeles architect. I was never a part of the global scene since this has been a phenomenon of the past 25 years, and I closed my larger practice in 1981 due to the advent of post-modernism and a change in the planning environment. Since then, I have had primarily a residential practice. In recent years, the media is always looking for the unusual and is responsible for making one appear great. There are many excellent architects in the world, but only a handful get the majority of the press and/or are treated as the superstars.

How does one balance a hugely successful career and a great marriage?

First of all, you have to have a great partner — then it is easy. Shelly has always been the ideal wife and mother, but beyond that she worked closely with me when we were developing SCI-Arc. Prior to that, we shared common goals and values, and she always supported my professional direction. We are well matched because we complement each other in our strengths and have always been mutually supportive. We do most everything together.
I always placed the family as a high priority. I did not work Saturdays or nights, and I would take off from work to coach my sons’ Little League games. We treated this as a time together for the entire family. We also traveled as a family making trips to the Northwest, the Southwest and a seven-week trip covering the rest of the United States that we had not already explored. Then in 1970, we traveled as a family for two and a half months in a van exploring Europe. Over the following 29 years, Shelly and I traveled alone. We were in China and Japan in 1976, and in 1979, we took a sabbatical for a year and visited the major cities of South America followed by a trip around the world. It was a trip focused on many of the important cities of the world to be presented in the classroom when I returned. We completed the sabbatical year driving through Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and Finland.

What advice would you give a young architectural student with an eye for modern architecture?

If it’s your passion, go for it. Architecture is not an easy and lucrative profession, but it is one of the most satisfying.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a good husband and father, and as an architect, planner and educator who always tried to do his best, and was always honest and supportive of those who worked with him.
As an architect who created beautiful living environments, at one with nature, which enriched the lives of those who lived in them.
As an urban designer and planner who contributed to Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
As an educator who founded two schools of architecture that provided more opportunity for those interested in innovative architectural education.