Born in Berkeley, California, I am a second-generation architect. I grew up in Los Angeles, and was fortunate to live in two houses designed by my father, Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) founder Ray Kappe. I studied art and politics as an undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and worked as a community advocate in the Monterey Bay area.

I received my Masters of Architecture and Urban Design from SCI-Arc, completing a thesis on low-income housing solutions for the United States, and I remain concerned with social issues as they relate to design and architecture—issues such as education, environmental preservation and energy efficiency.

I have lived locally in both San Francisco and Marin Counties. At present, I reside in San Rafael with my wife Diane and we have four adult children. Three of them live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one in Jacksonville, Florida.

I love the beauty of the Bay Area and enjoy spending my free time outdoors cycling, kayaking, and hiking. I have pursued my interest in painting and collage during my whole professional life. I am also fond of taking art photographs throughout California and while traveling in the U.S. and Europe. 




Note: College of Marin Echo Times article about the Ron Kappe art show, May 2012