Gary Gene Olp was one of the handpicked students admitted to the University of Cincinnati known for Michael Graves and other prestigious architects. He received a chapter AIA award for his first professional project, a new clubhouse for a century-old revered country club in Ohio.
Gary has been designing residential projects since the mid-1980s expressing his contemporary architecture in organic shapes, smooth surfaces, and accentuated by the warm tones and textures of the steel struts, beams, and elements allowed to oxidize. His homes are sited to capture the southeasterly breezes and soft east and north light and to shield the harsh west sun.
Show Highlights
- Learning how to use a hammer (and its symbolism) and scavenging for materials.
- Co-op program at the University of Cincinnati.
- The story of building his first house.
- The story of three all-nighters and a better design that resonates with a structure.
- Passive Solar vs PV Solar power.
- The first LEED Platinum certification in Texas.
- Designing for zero ecological footprint.
- The importance of preparing from the eyes of the builder.
“You can’t build with bricks until you understand the brick.”
-Louis Kahn
Full Transcript
(Available on here and on the GBES website)
Show Resources
Plagued by Fire: The Dreams and Furies of Frank Lloyd Wright
Architecturally Significant Homes
Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources for all of your green building news at the Green Building Matters website.