2018 Ones to Watch: Cameron Ringness, Architect, Lead Designer at FXCollaborative

Name: Cameron Ringness

Title: Architect, Lead Designer

Company: FXCollaborative

Address: 22 W 19th Street New York, NY 10011

How did you get your start in your current field?

I had never dreamed of being an architect–in school I had envisioned I would be an artist or chemist. When visiting the University of Virginia I stumbled upon the architecture school. All of my interests seemed to be unfolding in that building, not just art, not just experiments, not just creating, but everything in between. At UVA I quickly fell in love with the medium of architecture, of crafting space as both an art and a science. Following UVA I received my Masters from Tulane and from there ventured to New York to begin my professional career. 

I have since worked at FXCollaborative and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. 

What are your professional goals for 2018?

This year I look forward to the finishing of the Statue of Liberty Museum, a project I began in 2012. I am excited to have currently begun a new project with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, designing a new home for this invaluable institution in our city. I am also a painter and writer and hope to continue my work, which although is seemingly outside of architecture is actually deeply entwined with my approach to design. 

Finally, I look forward to continuing my involvement with the Women’s Prison Association, and seeking more ways to engage outreach through the arts. 

Who or what do you attribute to your success?

Throughout my education and career I have had a number of teachers and mentors who have made tremendous impact on both my practice. From Professor Peter Waldman, I learned the poetry and mythology of architecture. From Irene Kiel I found rigor and heart in our field. From Sylvia Smith I continue to learn conviction and leadership. Not only have they been teachers, but they have also provided countless opportunities that allowed for my progress. Lastly, I must attribute what I do to my many colleagues, current and past, who continue to challenge and support me along the way. 

How do you motivate or inspire your colleagues? 

I am committed to challenging our craft. I design with emotion, and I try to never lose a certain kind of spirit and will in what I do. I hope this ignites a kind of inspiration with those that I work with. I trust my intuition and imagination and jump in unafraid to a new design or a new problem. Not to mention, I still draw feverishly by hand.