PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:
Christopher McMahan is a principal design architect for higher education, mission-driven organizations, and real estate development with 25 years experience in New England and New York City. Based in Providence, his experience has ranged from the planning and design of large-scale commercial development sites to numerous buildings for universities, religious, and arts organizations.
EMPLOYMENT:
1/2009 - Present: Christopher McMahan Architect, Inc. - President
Started architectural design and planning practice based on innovation and sustainable design for new and existing private development and nonprofit clients.
10/2007 - 1/2009: Steffian Bradley Architects, Boston, MA - Principal
Responsible for business development in regional markets for higher education and commercial development sectors. Responsible for establishing a studio practice in Providence, RI based on long term past experience in the area. Contributed to strategic planning initiatives by defining actionable and measurable goals for mission/vision and business development objectives.
8/1992 - 7/2007: Robinson Green Beretta Corp. Providence, RI - Vice President, '03; Associate, '98; Design Architect, '92.
Extensive client experience with senior owner/managers ranging from business development, marketing, and firm interviews for services to presentations to various management and public groups; programming and feasibility analysis, site selection, and contract negotiation; various facets of interface with construction management companies; and internal budgets, scheduling, and design mentorship. Lead architect for design management and client development: coordinated internal operations with project managers, architects, and interior designers on multiple projects in all phases.
5/1988 - 8/1992: William Kite Architects, Inc. Providence, RI - Project Architect
Coordinated residential and institutional projects as Project Architect for: program development; planning and feasibility studies; building design and presentation; client, consultant, and construction management coordination; design/zoning agency review; schematic through construction document team management; and interior design.
9/1987 - 5/1988: Cannon Boston. Boston, MA - Project Designer
Project Designer for $1.3 mil sf RI Convention Center, mixed-use development – Schematic phase; and various projects for Boston University. Tasks included design and presentation to owner, city agencies, and coordination with design team.
2/1987 - 9/1987: Cannon/Yan. New York, NY - Project Designer
Project Designer for Hull, MA Town Center, large-scale mixed-use development.
8/1984 - 2/1987: Buck/Cane Architects. New York, NY - Design/Drafts
Design studies and details for all phases of high-rise residential fast-track projects, and Uniform
Land Use Review Process: ULURP zoning for large-scale mixed-use development in NYC.
AFFILIATIONS:
6/09 - Present: LEED Accredited Professional ID: 0A97F8993C
11/07- Present: Urban Land Institute - Boston Council 394074
7/00 - Present: Mass Div Professional Licensure Architectural License 10783
3/00 - Present: NCARB Registration 52473
6/94 - Present: American Institute of Architects member 30089764
9/91 - Present: RI Board of Registration Architectural License 1978
VOLUNTEER:
09- : Veterans Memorial Auditorium Foundation, board member; Vice President
09- : New England Foundation for the Arts, board member
02-09: RI State Council on the Arts, board director; Council chairman ’04 – May ‘09
2002: RISD Student-life Housing Neighborhood Advisory Committee
01-03: Providence Preservation Society, trustee; chairman, Steering Committee, “PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture”
01-09: RI Citizens for the Arts, board director; co-chair, Artist’s Space Initiative
00-08: RI Philharmonic Orchestra, board director; Executive Committee; Board Resources
Committee; chair, Education Committee; 2006: Board of Overseers
99-00: Transforming Providence: A Civic Discussion on Design, founder; chairman
97-00: The Music School, Inc., board director; board President, '99
97-99: AIA/RI Chapter, board director; newsletter editor
AWARDS/PUBLICATIONS + PRESENTATIONS:
5/09: Providence Journal, Commentary page, “Public Art and the State of Rhode Island”
1/09: Providence Journal, Commentary page, “Arts Can Help RI Recover”
5/08: Rhode Island Historic Preservation + Heritage Commission Award – Rosedale Landing
2/06: RI Arts + Business Council 2006 Arts Advocate Award, with U.S. Congressional Citation
11/05: National Association of State Arts Agencies, Leadership Conference
10/03 “The PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture”, Steering Committee chairman
11/03: Providence Preservation Society, President’s Award
12/03: RI chapter AIA 2003 Executive Committee’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Chapter
8/02: Masonry Institute, Golden Trowel Award: Courtyard by Marriott, Providence
5/02: Providence Journal, editorial page, “A Building that Transmits Meaning”
3/02: CEFPI: “The Town/Gown relationship: Where the Edges Are” master plan issues
11/00: AIA/RI Citation for Contributions to the Advancement of Architecture in the State
TEACHING:
Rhode Island School of Design
88-00: Guest Juror, multiple design studios and degree projects
99: Part-time faculty, Dept. Interior Architecture, Sophomore Studio
93: Co-Critic, Junior/Senior Housing Studio
83: Teaching Assistant, Sophomore Studio
EDUCATION:
Rhode Island School of Design
1984, B. ARCH
1983, B.F.A.
PROJECTS:
HIGHER EDUCATION:
Brown University - Public Health Department Alterations; Real Estate Acquisitions Analysis
Community College of Rhode Island - Knight Campus Addition; Liston Campus Additions
Fairfield University - New Apartment Style Residence Hall
Johnson + Wales University - Library Alterations; Culinary Arts Facility; Admissions Center
Providence College - New Apartment Style Dormitory
Rhode Island School of Design - Mail Room Alterations
University of Rhode Island - Graduate Student Housing; Keany Gym Rehabilitation
University of Massachusetts/Boston - Department Offices Build-Out
INSTITUTIONAL/MUNICIPAL/RELIGIOUS:
LaSalle Academy Science Building, Providence, RI - Master Plan and Building Design
Rhode Island Hospital Cooperative Care - Interior Build-Out
Marian Congregation, Stockbridge, MA - Campus Master Plan; Visitor/Center; Recreation Center
Bethany Home of Rhode Island - Nursing Home Interior Alterations
Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Great Barrington, MA
Temple Emanu-El, Providence, RI - Facility Analysis; Masonry Restoration; Alterations/Additions
MASTER PLAN:
Davol Square, Providence, RI - High Rise Residential Tower
Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute – Programming and Feasibility Study
Greater Providence YMCA - Programming and Site Design, New Recreational/Community Building
Jewish Federation RI - Providence Hebrew Day School; Jewish Community Day School Master Plan
Rhode Island Board of Education - MET Career Training Facility, Providence Campus
T.F. Green Airport, Warwick, RI - International Terminal Design; Intermodal Connector
Providence College - Feinstein Hall Classroom Re-Use Analysis
University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth - Library Analysis
Rhode Island Convention Center - Mixed-Use Master Plan
Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence, RI – New Cultural Center Master Plan
104 West End Avenue, NYC - Zoning Study (ULURP)
COMMERCIAL/MIXED USE:
Rosedale Apartments, Cranston, RI - National Register Historic Restoration
Capital Center Parcel 1: Courtyard Hotel, Providence, RI - 216 Room High Rise
Capital Center Parcel 9: Water Place, Providence, RI - High Rise Mixed Use Development
Hull Town Center, Hull, MA - Large-scale Mixed-Use Development
124 W 60 Street, NYC - High Rise Residential Tower
109 E 96 Street, NYC - High Rise Residential Tower
58 W 80 Street, NYC - High Rise Residential Tower
OFFICE INTERIOR TENANT INPROVEMENTS:
Adler Pollack & Sheehan - Providence Office
Office of Attorney General, Eastern District Massachusetts Regional Office - Lynn Office
US Department of Health and Urban Development - Providence Field Office
Johnson + Wales University - Administration Executive Offices