re:architecture was founded in 2013 by Rick Epstein.  Rick brings a unique complement of more than 25 years of architecture, urban design, and master planning experience providing a well rounded and integrated perspective to all of his projects. He has a particular interest in sustainability based on years of focus on ecological design in projects at all scales. He searches for design approaches that are both unexpected and holistic, believing that deep innovation can be the most practical response. Rick has worked in a broad range of professional settings, both small and large to provide a diverse perspective on project approach and delivery that is both practical and visionary, client-based and broad-reaching.

Rick was a recipient of the Thomas Watson Foundation Fellowship where he travelled for one year and studied vernacular architecture around the world at 40 deg. N. Latitude. The work focused on culture, climate and place to explore and understand the factors that contribute to the making of a unique authentic environment. He draws upon this experience in his work at all scales and brings a passion for making great places and working with collaborative and inter-disciplinary teams to achieve innovative design approaches.

Rick has a Bachelors in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic and a Masters in Architecture from MIT with coursework in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.  He has taught in the Architecture and Urban Design programs at CU in Boulder and Denver including leading Urban Design Studios  over 3 summers in Nanjing, China and Copenhagen.  

In addition to his design work, Rick is active in Design Review.  From 2014 through 2018, he was one of five members of the University of Colorado Design Review Board that reviews all projects at the four CU campuses: Boulder, Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus and Colorado Springs. He is also the longest standing member of the Belmar Architectural Control Committee (ACC) since its inception in 2001. Belmar is an innovative 90-acre mixed use community that was transformed from a traditional enclosed mall into a new "downtown" for the city of Lakewood. 

Professional Affiliations include:

University of Colorado Design Review Board:2014-2018

Belmar Architectural Control Committee: 2000-present

Mentor, Real Estate Diversity Initiative, ULI Colorado 2017 & 2018

ULI Colorado, Technical Assistance Panels: Denver Southmoor TOD-2016, Aurora TOD-2015

AIA Colorado North President, 2016

AIA Colorado, Board Member, 2016

Urban Land Institute, Boulder Co-Chair, 2011-present

Urban Land Institute of Colorado, Executive Board Member, 2005–present

Fellow, Institute of Green Professionals 2009

American Institute of Architects, Member, 1991–present

Boulder Urban Renewal Authority (BURA), Commissioner, Vice Chair, 1999–2002

Downtown Design Advisory Board (DDAB)
Board Member, 1998–1999

City of Boulder, Planning Board, 1994-1997