David Wright

David Wright (b. February 13, 1941, Sierra Nevada foothills, CA) is a passive solar architect described in the 1980 Rocky Mountain News profile of Karen Terry as one of the leading passive solar architects in the country.

Education and early career

Sierra College (1960). BS in Architectural Engineering (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 1964). Peace Corps architect 1964-66: worked in Tunisia (CINVA Ram block construction, studied Matmata troglodyte dwellings) and Guinea (designed an agricultural college). Returned to California for architectural work (1966-70). Moved to Santa Fe in 1970 and apprenticed under Bill Lumpkins for three years, learning adobe passive solar construction.

Sun Mountain Design (1972)

Co-founded Sun Mountain Design in 1972 with Bill Lumpkins, Keith Haggard, Travis Price, Peter Goodwin, Herman Barkman, and Wayne Nichols. The firm became a nexus for the New Mexico passive solar movement.

The Sunscoop (1974)

Wright’s own 1974 Santa Fe residence — The Sunscoop — is described as the “first passive engineered passive solar adobe.” Wright coined the term “direct gain passive system.” The term “passive solar design” itself was coined in 1973 in the Sunscoop’s living room by Benjamin “Buck” Rogers of Los Alamos.

The Sunscoop is documented in A Survey of Passive Solar Buildings (AIA Research Corporation, 1976), reproduced in Steve Baer’s 2009 AIA slideshow. It is a two-story (ground + loft) one-bedroom house and office of adobe construction: 14”/10” adobe walls with 2” exterior styrofoam, 24”-thick adobe floors, and 384 sq ft of thermopane forming the south wall for direct gain. Several 55-gallon water drums are buried beneath an adobe banco below the south glazing for extra storage; canvas/insulation shutters and a wood stove provide control and backup. The 1976 survey’s performance evaluation: “Generally excellent. Warm walls and floors permit comfort at lower ambient temperatures. Daily swings (60-85) sometimes unpleasant; occasional overheating due to lack of shade in the spring and fall.”

The Karen Terry House (1974)

While living in New Mexico, Wright designed The Karen Terry House (1974, Santa Fe — which the profile calls the second passive solar house built in New Mexico) — adapting a variation of The Sunscoop and incorporating many of Terry’s ideas. Terry had been referred to him by Bill Lumpkins.

Return to California and later career

By 1977: 80+ passive solar homes across 7-8 states. Returned to California around 1977; designed the “Sundown” residence on the northern California coast (93% self-sufficient, won AIA Western Home Award). Based in Nevada City/Grass Valley, CA since 1979. Career total: 400-500+ custom residences. NCARB certified, licensed in CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, and WY. Work archived at the Smithsonian.

Still active as of 2026 — practicing from Grass Valley, writing memoirs. Family firm with wife Catherine; daughters Megan and Heather run Wright Architecture in Marin County.

Publications

Natural Solar Architecture: A Passive Primer (1978, translated into 5 languages), Passive Solar Architecture: Logic and Beauty (1981), Solar 4 (1981), The Passive Solar Primer (2008).

Recognition

ASES “Mr. Natural” Award (1983). Cal Poly Alumnus of the Year (1982). ASES Passive Solar Pioneer Award (2007).