Ralph Lewis Knowles, born December 9, 1928, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the age of 95. He is beloved by family, admired and respected by students, honored by colleagues, and will be well-remembered.

Knowles is survived by his wife, Mary E. R. “Mer” Knowles, who in 7 more months would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary; his children, Leigh K. Metteer, John L. Knowles, and Lauren K. Chattigre; his granddaughter Briana M. Knowles; and his niece, Cyndee Snider. 

Known worldwide for his work regarding passive design, solar access and solar zoning for the built environment, Knowles was ahead of his time safeguarding the natural world. Today, he still challenges architects and designers to make their work address the current climate and environmental challenges faced on our planet. His life and body of work was a gift to many. 

Ralph was born in Cleveland, Ohio, spent 2 years in the US Navy after high school, received his B.Arch from UNC State University, Raleigh (1954) and his M.Arch from MIT, Boston (1959). 

After briefly teaching at Auburn University in Alabama, he moved his family to Los Angeles in 1963 where he taught for over 40 years at the USC School of Architecture and served as dean of the school for 2 years and holder of a University Professorship for 3 years. 

At that time, Ralph was one of the few research architects in the world and frequently taught and lectured nationally and internationally. His unique combination of teaching and research influenced the way architecture is taught now. Upon retirement, USC recognized him as “Professor Emeritus, Distinguished.”

Knowles was the recipient of both federal and private research grants and contracts and consulted in solar policy and design to the AIA, AIA/RC, DOE, NAS, NEA, Oak Ridge, SERI, TVA; several states and cities; private architectural and planning firms; and participated/sat on professional juries and committees. He wrote extensively, producing more than 150 works: books (3), monographs, manuals, and articles for journals and professional publications, newspapers, news magazines, book chapters, and was interviewed for radio and TV. 

Ralph’s work affected not only the design of individual buildings, but also the configuration of cities. He is known as the “inventor” of the solar envelope, a volume which limits construction to maintain solar access for adjacent sites. It has been included in various forms in codes and restrictions around the world. His ideas are still being explored by various universities and institutions and have been featured in recent museum exhibits. 

Most recently, his work was represented at Emerging Ecologies, an exhibit at MoMA NYC which began in late 2023 and lasted through January 2024. Much of the works exhibited stress the importance of designing for solar access, inspired by analyzing the foundational work of Ralph Knowles.

His many honors include a half-year appointment as a 1993 Fulbright Fellow to teach at the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava. Major awards include the AIA Medal for Research (1974), ASES, 2010: The Haecker Award (ARCC) 2005: ASES: Fellow of the Society 2003: ASES: Passive Solar Pioneer Award 1995: ACSA: Distinguished Professor Award; SBSE; and The Charles Greeley Abbott Award. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2:30pm in the Auditorium of Monte Cedro Retirement Community, 2212 El Molino Ave, Altadena CA 91001. A very informal gathering of family, friends and colleagues will share memories of Ralph.

Image credit: Ralph Knowles and his Heliodon