Van der Ryn's professional interest was applying principles of physical and social ecology to architecture and environmental design.
One of the program's mottos was “trash can do it.” The idea was that recycling of materials would encourage students to utilize resources; the approach was new at the time.
Hands-on methods of gaining understanding allowed students to grasp a real-life perspective concerning different materials by utilizing them in environmentally functional projects.
“Outlaw Builder Studio,” a significant platform for Van der Ryn to demonstrate his new ecological and solar architecture, in which his students could develop building and social skills.
Van der Ryn encouraged his studio to connect with the surrounding environment and maintain a cohesive approach in design.
[14] Van der Ryn was appointed California State Architect in the administration of Governor Jerry Brown in the late 1970s.
[16] Van der Ryn died from Alzheimer's disease at a care facility in Petaluma, California, on October 19, 2024, at the age of 89.