Alan Ricks

Architect, Artist, Designer, Educator/Teacher, Entrepreneur, Environmentalist, Explorer, Filmmaker, Idea generator, Policy maker, Social entrepreneur, Writer/Editor

Alan co-founded MASS Design Group, a non-profit focused on social impact through the design and construction process. He manages global operations for the 70+ person firm with projects in over a dozen countries that range from design to research to policy—a portfolio that continues to expand the role of design in advancing a more just world. Alan is a Lecturer in Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and has an appointment as an Expert-in-Residence at the Harvard Innovation Lab. He is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum for the 2014-2019 term and recently gave a TED Talk, which chief TED curator Chris Anderson described as “a different language about what architecture can aspire to be.” He regularly speaks, writes, and creates films focusing on the role of architecture in catalyzing social change. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Colorado College and his Master of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Architecture improves our lives. Designing the building process can produce social value. We can demand that our built environment contributes to social justice.

Architecture is never neutral. It either heals or hurts. Our mission is to research, build, and advocate for architecture that promotes justice and human dignity.

Architecture, Behavior Change, Design, Global Health, Social Justice