The Founder and Creative Director of Playhou.se, Richie is focused on developing and exploring new means of spatial animation and representation. He graduated with a Master of Architecture from Rice University and received the Darden Award for his thesis project ‘¡Super NAFTA Land!’ which visualized urban mega-structures on the US-Mexico border. Prior to founding Playhou.se Richie taught ‘Kino-Eye: Spatial Filmmaking,’ his design course at the University of Pennsylvania, which explored the interdisciplinary intersection between the fields of filmmaking, architecture, and animation. He currently teaches design at Chu Hai College in Hong Kong.
While Creative Director of Playhou.se he has worked with many globally influential architects and designers including OMA, Arup, James Corner Field Operations, Urbanus, Leong Leong, Perkins + Will, Adept and MVRDV and his work has been exhibited in design exhibitions and publications including the Sao Paolo Biennale, HK\SZ Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, Audi Urban Futures Initiative, Disposable Film Festival, Siggraph Computer Animation Festival, Future Arquitecturas, Evolo, and AD.
Playhou.se, Austin, TX, US, Creative Director / Founder
Creator of award winning multimedia videos for architecture clients including: MVRDV, BIG, James Corner Field Operations, AECOM, ARUP, Grimshaw, OMA, Leong Leong, and nArchitects.
Chuhai College School of Architecture, Hong Kong, Studio Instructor
Year II Design Studio Instructor for Chuhai College School of Architecture in Hong Kong.
University of Pennsylvania, Lecturer
Teaching the digital media course, Kino-Eye: Introduction to Spatial Filmmaking at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design.
SWiMcau, Designer
Worked as team member on SWiMcau’s entry for the Cheongna City Tower international design competition, which was awarded honorable mention by the committee. The project was called Water Drop Tower and was also featured in the publication produced by the Korean Land Corporation for the competition.
URBANUS 都市实践, Filmmaker / Designer
Worked for Urbanus in Shenzhen, China for 1 year as a designer and filmmaker. Created two films while employed by them, one was a documentary of urban villages, the second was a promotional piece for Dafen Village Art Museum, which is now completed and the centerpiece of the Dafen Village cultural district. The films were also shown at the 2005 Sao Paolo Biennale, the 2005 Shenzhen Biennale of Urbanism, and 2005 Guangzhou Triennale. Served as designer on several architectural projects, such as Fujin Village urban renewal scheme, featured in the book 'Village / City.' Served as a key member of the design team responsible for the winning proposal for the “New World International Textile and Fashion Center” design competition.
Rice University, MArch, Architecture
At the Rice University School of Architecture I furthered my interest in computer based design and large urban scale projects. I continued to pursue filmmaking and studied under Lucciano Riggolini as a part of the Rice University School of Architecture Paris program in 2007. During this time I created the film PUBLI/CITÉ http://vimeo.com/1362328, which was later screened around the world as part of the Disposable Film Festival 2009. My thesis project ¡SUPER NAFTA LAND! http://www.flickr.com/photos/35194542@N03/sets/72157613523654062/ revolved around the creation and design of a new country on the US Mexico border and won several awards including the Darden Award for best thesis project and the Lars Lerup Visionary Project Award.
University of Florida, Design Construction and Planning
Studied Architecture at the University of Florida College of Design Construction and Planning from 2001-2005. Received my Bachelor of Design in Architecture in 2005. In 2004 I participated in the Hong Kong program, making key contacts in China, such as the partners of Urbanus: Architecture and Design in Shenzhen and Beijing. My first film about urbanism was created about the Octopus Card http://vimeo.com/3445353 and subsequently won the University of Florida Short Film Festival.
International Competition for the Planning of the Qianhai Region of Shenzhen, 1st Place
I created the motion graphics video presentation for the James Corner Field Operations entry, Qianhai Water City. It was cited by the jury as clearly explaining all the facets of the project and the overall urban design stratgegy.
SMIBE Personal Infrastructures Short Film Competition, Honorable Mention
A Finalist in the SMIBE personal infrastructures competition, my video Houston explores the nature of the freeway system and the city. All Finalists were screened in LA and Chicago.
Evolo Skyscraper Competition, Honorable Mention
The project I designed with Viktor Ramos, Double Stuffed: Scale vs Size received a Special Mention in the Evolo Skyscraper Competition 2010. The annual eVolo Skyscraper Competition is a forum for the discussion, development, and promotion of innovative concepts for vertical density. It examines the relationship between the skyscraper and the natural world, the skyscraper and the community, and the skyscraper and the city.
D3 Housing Tomorrow International Architectural Design Competition, Honorable Mention
The project I designed with Viktor Ramos, Double Stuffed: Scale vs Size received a Special Mention: High-Density Housing award for the D3 Housing Tomorrow International Architectural Design Competition. The projects were exhibited in Monterrey, Mexico.
UCLA cityLAB W.P.A. 2.0 Infrastructural Design Competition, 1st Place
I created the motion graphics video presentation for the Port: Architecture and Urbanism entry, Carbon T.A.P. It was cited by the jury as clearly explaining all the facets of the project and being instrumental in the final selection.
Rice Visionary Project, 1st Place
My thesis project ¡Super NAFTA Land! was selected by then Dean Lars Lerup as the Rice Visionary Project 2009.
Darden Award for Most Outstanding Thesis Work, 2nd Place
My thesis project ¡Super NAFTA Land! was awarded Second Place for the 2009 selection of the Rice University Darden Award for Most Outstanding Thesis Work.
KRob Architectural Drawing Competition, Honorable Mention
My image X-Ray space was given a Juror's Citation in the 34th Annual KRob Architectural Drawing Competition.
Warner Brothers’ Watchmen Movie Veidt Enterprises Ad Competition, Award
My video Veidt Air 1985 received the second highest amount of votes online for the Warner Brothers’ Watchmen Movie Veidt Enterprises Ad Competition. Veidt air 1985 was given a Top 5 Winner award.
