For Chris, design is centered on context. With a background in teaching at the BAC and a personal love for at home projects, Chris prioritizes the functionality of design. As a project manager, he’s passionate about creating spaces that are beautiful and, most importantly, fit into the world in which they are being designed within, providing unique solutions for communities and clients.
Read more about what motivates Chris and who has influenced his journey.
Can you tell us the “backstory” about what brought you to this career path?
I was always drawn to project-based assignments in school. I took a computer drafting course in high school that was more vocational than architectural, but it got me interested in how buildings are documented. I knew I wanted to go into architecture and declared it my major upon enrolling at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. I found it was nothing like the vocational class, it was much better. I was fascinated by the art of design theory and drawing by hand.
I got a job out of undergrad hand drafting at a residential firm. Doing that sort of drawing and type of architecture for single family homes was a great experience. I knew I needed to go back to school for my Masters but wanted to continue to build upon my professional experience. That’s when I found the Boston Architectual College (BAC), which requires you to work during the day and go to school in the evening. Because I already had a degree in architecture, I found myself in an interesting position of teaching other students, sharing knowledge I had about building models and drawing. I really enjoyed the teaching experience.
When I was graduating, I did my entire thesis project in Revit. I had a connection at Shepley and got an interview, which was perfect timing as Shepley was transferring all their projects to Revit. I was hired and lucky to start working on higher education projects because that was also the focus of my thesis project, town and gown relations.
Who or what have been the strongest influences in your career?
I’d say there are two people who have been most influential. The first would be Peter Martin, my thesis advisor at BAC. I met him at my first job in Boston, he was a partner. During the recession I did some work for him and after the BAC we taught together. I still consult him for professional advice.
The other influence has been Carole Wedge. The second project I worked on at Shepley was Princeton and she was the Principal for the project. That’s how I got to know her. Then, while working as the project architect for the first time on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Student Union Renovation, she took over as Principal. She really stepped in and made me feel valued on the project and at the firm. She made it clear that I have her support both professionally and personally. Since then, we’ve maintained a great connection talking about both personal and professional growth – she is always someone I feel I can go to for advice.
What are you most passionate about?
In terms of architecture and design, I’m most passionate about the context in which we build. The work we do and the designs we create must fit within their surroundings. I consider myself more of a rationalist when it comes to design. It has to look beautiful but the better something functions, the more it will be recognized as good design instead of just a piece of art. To me, that’s the true definition of architecture – creating something aesthetically pleasing that functions as it’s intended.
As a Project Manager, I feel like that’s my charge – I am usually the one defending our designs to the client and required to rationalize our decisions. Higher education clients specifically tend to want you to prove design theories and why concepts will work. It’s important to understand how the work we do fits into the world we’re designing and that our designs provide solutions within the built environment.
What are you most proud of accomplishing?
Going through design and construction on the Northshore Community College project. It was a very small team; I was doing all the drawings, presenting to clients, and working with the contractors during construction to build it. It was so rewarding seeing this come to fruition. I’ll never forget advice I got early in my career, “Complete a project and you’ll feel like you can do anything.” I didn’t understand what that meant until I finished Northshore. After that project, I felt motivated and confident in my ability to take on more projects.
What do you do for fun?
I’ve coached the Shepley volleyball team for the last 10 years and I’ve played softball recreationally for the last 12 years.
I like to decompress by hanging out with my family and going on adventures with our two-year-old who keeps us on our toes. I also really enjoy doing projects around the house. Interior or exterior, I learn so much just by doing them. Because my house is on a sloped site, it’s even more interesting to envision, execute, and solve the grade issues. Doing projects around the house helps me focus on a specific task.