Richard Olsen is a Carmel, California-based independent architectural historian.

With his cross-discipline expertise (a professional background combining writing, editing, and photographing, in addition to evaluating for publication both writing and photography, for books and magazines), Richard’s approach is uncommonly holistic and, in its aims, virtuous-cycle focused.

Whether curating a design studio’s monograph, photographing a collector’s latest acquisition, writing a house history, advising an architect on brand strategy for social, or consulting on historical accuracy for a movie studio, his groundwork is rigorous research.

In Richard’s three decades as an editor of architecture-and-design books and magazines, first in New York, then in Los Angeles, and now in Carmel, he’s held positions including Senior Editor, Architecture, for Forbes Media, where, in 2023, he launched Forbes’ Architecture + Design department. At Forbes, Richard ideated and directed the new department’s research-and-outreach processes; selected and recruited its advisory board; adjudicated its “top architects and designers” lists; and wrote the department’s articles.

Earlier, Richard was Senior Architecture Editor, Architectural Digest (Paige Rense Noland, Editor-in-Chief); Senior Editor, Architecture + Design, Harry N. Abrams Publishers; Architecture Editor, Rizzoli International Publications; and Director, Architects & Designers Book Service and Antiques & Collectibles Book Club. At Amazon.com, in Seattle, Richard was the editor of the book divisions of Arts & Photography; Home & Garden; and Travel.

As an author, Richard’s work has been reviewed widely, including by the New York Journal of Books; the New York Times; TheWall Street Journal; Time; Architectural Record; Architects Newspaper; and Architectural Digest.

A photographic contributor to architecture books and magazines since 2002, Richard also maintains an extensive archive, including, since 2004, an ongoing project, an historical inventory of the residences of Big Sur, California.

Drawing from all facets of this background, Richard takes on select special projects.