Richard Potestio is a Portland Oregon-based architect and the founding principal of Potestio Studio. In his work, Rick advocates for dense, mixed-use development centered around commons. In this interview, we discuss Portland’s strategies for addressing its housing crisis, the obsolescence of current zoning practices, and Rick’s ideas for how to tackle these issues.
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"My plan accepts increased density in any neighborhood and on any block."
- Rick Potestio
- Rick Potestio
Show Notes:
- How Portland plans to address the housing crisis
- The pros and cons of accessory dwellings
- Rick’s commons-centered plan to increase density
- What hierarchy means in a development context
- Why Portland’s suburbs are more dense than the city itself
- The question of demolition
"When zoning is practiced in the way that we’ve come to practice it… we spend our days commuting to all of our activities to connect our day back up." - Rick Potestio
- How neighborhoods can plan a role in planning
- Why zoning is an antiquated system
- What cities should do in place of traditional zoning
- The importance of adaptability and durability for buildings
- Rick’s take on design unity
- What do you think Portland should do?
Links Mentioned:
“Your building is not just a one-off ego-driven statement for the moment, but it’s a component of a conversation that has been going on in Portland for over a hundred years, and hopefully will go on for another thousand.” - Rick Potestio