Archinect
Gregory Christman

Gregory Christman

Santa Barbara, CA, US

 

About 

resume

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gregory d. christman

1905 Castillo Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Voice 805.886.0845

Email [email protected]  Web www.gdcarchitects.com

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professional objective

 

To make a difference in the world!  To prosper by being challenged with leading teams creating built environments which benefit and enrich lives and communities.  To continue to be challenged and inspired by projects which inspire others.

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summary of qualifications

Leadership                                       Effective interactions to see a have others discover a different world that wasn’t going to happen otherwise

Project Management                 Adept in orchestrating several projects at once within budget and on time

CADD                                                  Several years of experience with AutoCad, Archicad and Revit

Graphic Presentation                 Superior freehand sketching, communication and presentation skills

Research                                           Pertaining to feasibility, documentation and entitlement

Construction Documents         Technical skills to assemble construction documents

Construction                                   Several years of wood framing experience

Multi-Media                                     Experienced with photography, Adobe software, SketchUp, MS Office etc.

 

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architectural registrations

Registered as an Architect in:   California (C 26618) – Colorado (C-5073)

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professional experience

 

 

ARCHITECT - OWNER             

GREGORY D CHRISTMAN ARCHITECTS INC. – Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California

March 2015 to Present

 

Utilizing my 30+ years of architecture and construction knowledge and Los Angeles experience, we have been able to continue doing high end residential architecture and commercial tenant improvement projects.  We are working on several homes in Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills – which the latter require a functional knowledge of the Baseline Hillside Ordinance.  The homes in Beverly Hill require almost as much planning and building department knowledge as Santa Barbara.

We are also designing multi-family projects within the Small Lot Sub-Division ordinance.  In addition we have a few commercial tenant improvement projects. 

 

PRINCIPAL - DIRECTOR        

AB design studio – Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California

June 2013 to March 2015

 

The owners of AB design studio and I found each other while I was working away from home in Los Angeles.  AB design studio needed a leader for 2 projects that were larger and more complex than their usual projects; A museum and a Product development lab and testing center for an international company.   After both projects were effectively managed through schematic design and design management, I was ready for the next challenge – AB design studio.Los Angeles – Creating something from nothing.   

Office and Team Leadership

Conceptual, Schematic design and Design Development

Construction documentation mentorship

Project Management

Represent the company within the community

Rendering design concepts

 

A listing of projects which I have been responsible for at AB design studio are:

 

  • MOXI –The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, Santa Barbara  CA – A playground for the brain – the Moxi will be a 25,000 sf museum with 17,000 sf of interactive exhibits, museum store, smart classroom, new media theater, rooftop sky garden and executive offices.  The AB design studio team I lead, managed the project through schematic design and design development, then through construction documents, and permitting – the Moxi is now under construction with a scheduled opening of early 2016

 

  • SONOS – Product Development Laboratory, Santa Barbara CA– Located in a 45,000 sf (3) story former moving and storage building in historic lower downtown Santa Barbara, the SONOS PD Lab project was a true challenge.  The challenge was fitting testing equipment – some parts were 30’ cubed - and 250 engineers and technicians.  AB design studio formed a team of architects experienced with large and complex lab spaces, this team was lead by myself. Following the success of the SONOS-Santa Barbara PD Lab, SONOS insisted we lead the effort to duplicated it in Boston MA.

 

  • AB design studio. Los Angeles  - After successfully leading to completion the MOXI and SONOS PD designs, I was ready for an even greater challenge – Create AB design studio.Los Angeles.  The development firm I previously was directed wanted me closer to manage their multi-family projects through entitlement, design and the owners of ABds wanted to expand into the Los Angeles market – especially the multi-family project type.  In April 2014, I single handedly negotiated a lease, purchased and assembled workstations, hired staff and enrolled new and past clients.

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ARCHITECT – DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Denley Investment and Management - Los Angeles, California

December 2011 to June 2013

                               

Director of Architecture for a high net worth developer in Los Angeles, CA.  This full time contract leadership and design position was responsible for design, documentation, entitlement, planning, consultant coordination and leadership of development staff.

 

A listing of projects which I have been responsible for at Denley Investment are:

 

  • Jasmine Gardens – A 124 unit senior housing facility in Hemet, California.  The housing project required an extensive design / documentation process for the entitlement phase.  The project also included a 3,300 s.f. recreation center, swimming pool, boules court, barbeque court, and extensive parking layout design.  The city of Hemet was also very concerned about architectural styling of the exterior elevations.  The Spanish Revival design was very welcomed by all of the city planning staff, Planning commission and City council for its unique and attractive solution to a prime property in Hemet.  The project is also a candidate for A tax credit application and require several extra federal documents for the application.

 

  • Village Lofts @ Claremont – A 64 residential unit including live/work units and 25000 s.f. of retail in the new Village expansion of Claremont, California.  The retro/contemporary design was thoroughly researched to compliment historic railroad and citrus packing district and the hip college crowd that is the City of Claremont.

 

  • Loma Vista Residence  -  A 2,500 s.f. addition and renovation to a 4,100 s.f Mid-Century Modern home in Beverly Hills, California.  The home designed by Richard Dorman in 1959 has a folded plate roof and glass exterior walls which were all restored and preserved.  The addition includes a 2 story structure which includes 4 bedrooms, bathrooms and a below grade screening room.  The landscape design included a new infinity swimming pool and spa, a much needed retaining wall replacement design to hold back the 30’ high 1:1 slope that has been failing for years.

 

  • McCarty Residence – A 1,850 s.f. 2nd floor addition to a 4,500 s.f. 1930 Spanish Revival residence in Beverly Hills, California.  The home was required to conform to the City of Beverly Hills new Cultural Heritage ordinance which follows the National Park Service guidelines.  A solution was creatively achieved with planning staff and historian consultant and did not require a full board review.

 

  • Doheny Residence -  A 2,500 s.f 2 story addition to a  4,000 s.f. 1932 residence within the Los Angeles Hillside Ordinance district. 

 

 

  • St. Lukes Hospital Masterplan – St. Lukes is a Pasadena hospital built in 1933 and added onto over the years and closed in 2002.  Denley Investment bought the historic building along with the 22 acres to rehabilitate  and re-use the building and develop a residential community

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PRIVATE PRACTICE

Gregory Christman Architects – Santa Barbara, California

February 2009 to 2011

 

Nelson Residence

Providing full architectural services for a Tea Fire re-design and re-build.  Home is an Antoni Gaudi inspired 4100 sf residence. – Santa Barbara, California

 

Santa Ynez Valley

Providing full architectural services for several remodels and additions in the Santa Ynez Valley, both residential and commercial

 

Lighting Design

Newton Gallery and Hans Duus Blacksmith utilized my design and drafting skills to manufacture custom decorative lighting fixtures and metal fabrications for casinos, resorts, hospitality and residential project since 2006.

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ARCHITECT – SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER                           

Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects - Carpinteria, California

 September 2007 to February 2009

 

Andy Neumann asked me to join their firm to design and manage projects, and mentor junior designers. NMA is a studio specializing in contemporary custom homes in the Santa Barbara- Carpinteria area. Within that specialty of custom homes are beach houses with their relaxed open layout and casual palette of materials. While with NMA we also worked on an educational/commercial project and a restaurant

Conceptual, Schematic design and Design Development

Construction documentation

Project Management

Mentoring of junior staff

Represent the company within the community

Rendering design concepts

 

A listing of projects which I have been responsible for at NMA Architects are:

 

  • Ostby-Cook Residence – A beach house actually on the beach in Carpinteria, California.  This 6600 square foot home overlooks the ocean to the south and the local mountains to the North. It incorporates a wraparound deck to complete a casual lifestyle second home. Also on the property is a caretakers unit, garages, storage and a tennis court.  This project was challenging due to the historic significance of the existing home which will be relocated on the property.

 

  • Lillie Avenue Restaurant – A major remodel and retrofit from an existing building/home to a 65 seat restaurant in Summerland, California.  The major design challenge associated with this conversion was the planning process which included parking, drainage, historic structures and sound mitigation.  This 2,500 s.f. project is going to be the first vegan restaurant in the area and is highly anticipated.

 

  • Discovery Pavilion at The Santa Barbara Zoo - A 9,000 s.f./ $5M educational/commercial project within the confines of the Santa Barbara Zoo.  The Discovery Pavilion includes two large classrooms for education of zoo visitors, a display animal kitchen, offices and storage. Also include is a garden with surrounding handicapped accessible paths.  The project is focused on achieving Platinum LEED- (energy efficiency and sustainability) status which will be a first in the country for a zoo

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ARCHITECT - DIRECTOR                                                                        

B3 Architects – Santa Barbara, California

February 1999 to September 2007

 

B3 Architects is a design studio headed by Barry Berkus, an international and local business owner for over 40 years. We specialize in resort communities, mixed use, residential and institutional projects nationwide.  My responsibilities as Director include:

 

Conceptual and Schematic design and Design Development

Construction documentation

Project Management

Overall project staffing

Mentoring of junior staff

Contracts and Budgeting

Represent the company within the community

Design review

 

A Partial listing of projects which I have been responsible for at B3 Architects are:

 

  • Flying Horse Community – Complete vision including Design Guidelines and Theming for a 20,000 resident community in Colorado Springs, CO.  Also full design services for a 40,000 s.f. Golf Clubhouse / Restaurant and 50,000 s.f Athletic Club and Spa.
  • Chapala One – A Mixed use (Commercial/ 41 Residential units/ 65 Parking spaces) building in Santa Barbara’s El Pueblo Viejo District
  • The Chiricahua Clubhouse - A 22,000 s.f./ $25 M golf clubhouse at Desert Mountain, Scottsdale, AZ
  • The Bear’s Club - A 30,000 s.f. / $30 M golf clubhouse for Jack Nicklaus in Jupiter, FL
  • The Chiricahua Villas – A 21 lot home development at Desert Mountain, Scottsdale, AZ  Won several awards including “House of the Year”
  • Santa Barbara Botanic Garden – A 50,000 s.f renovation and addition to the current 75 year old facility
  • Promontory Club – An 80,000 s.f. / $90 M multiple structure golf community facility in Park City, Utah.
  • UCSB Alumni House – A 25,000 / $10 M facility for the Alumni of UCSB includes offices, conference, dining, and orientation spaces
  • Mayacama – A 15,000 s.f golf clubhouse and (50) 850 s.f. Casita/ accommodation units in Santa Rosa, California

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PRIVATE PRACTICE

Gregory Christman Architects - Edwards, Colorado

December 1997 to February 1999

Oak Hills Lodge

Providing full architectural services for a 12,000 s.f. residence in Mississippi.  The lodge home was my opus to the “Parkitecture” style.

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SENIOR ASSOCIATE                                                                                                

Zehren and Associates - Avon, Colorado                                     

December 1993 to December 1997

 

Zehren and Associates is a 25 person full service architectural firm specializing in mountain resort projects nationwide located near Vail, Colorado. My responsibilities as senior associate include:

Project Management

Overall project staffing

Marketing and development of marketing materials

Mentoring of junior staff

Budgeting

Represent the company within the community

Design review

A Partial listing of projects which I designed and managed at Zehren and Associates are:

  • The Thomas Residence - A 8100 s.f./ $2.0 M home in the Cordillera resort, Colorado
  • The Rashkow Residence - A 7500 s.f. / $1.8 M addition and renovation to a home in Beaver Creek, Colorado
  • The Lodge At Vail - International Wing and Cucina Rustica - A $20 million - 21 luxury hotel room and restaurant addition and renovation to an existing hotel in Vail, Colorado
  • The Jones Residence - A 5600 s.f./ $1.5 million home in Cordillera, Colorado
  • Oak Hill Lodge - A 10,000 s.f. / $3.5 million home in Brookhaven, Mississippi
  • The Frist Residence - A 9,000 s.f ./ $2.5 million home in Opal Point, Tennessee
  • The Tostrud Residence - A 8,000s.f / $3.1 million home in Cordillera, Colorado

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PRIVATE PRACTICE

GDC Building Design, Riverside, California

1988 – 1993

 Owned and operated a small design firm

Assignments:

  • Serrano del Vista - Design/Project Manager - A 250 unit single family residential community with clubhouse - Banning, California
  • Helicon/Advocate facility - Conceptual Design - A 124 bed treatment center of minors including administration and recreation building - Riverside, California
  • Lovetts Child Development Center addition - Design/ Project Manager - A 6,000 s.f. addition to a private school- Riverside, California
  • Bellton Corporate Residence - Design/ Project Manager - A 12,000 s.f. home - Hillsborough, California
  • Several custom residences averaging 3,200 s.f. - Design/ Project Manger - Riverside County, California

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SENIOR DESIGNER / PROJECT MANAGER

Clinton Marr Associates, Riverside, California

1986 – 1988

 Assignments:

  • Robert Preseley - Hall of Justice - A 7 story / 160,000 s.f. county justice center - Riverside, California
  • March Field Museum - A 52,000s.f. / 44 acre Air Force museum facility - Riverside, California
  • Salvation Army Community Center - A 35,600 s.f. community center with church and daycare - Riverside, California
  • Riverside County Law Library renovation - A 2 story/ 8500 s.f. renovation - Riverside, California

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PROJECT MANAGER

Corbin-Yamafuji Partners, Irvine California

1985 – 1986

Assignments:

  • Villas Aliento Condominiums - A 300 unit condominium complex with clubhouse -Rancho Santa Margarita, California
  • Anaheim Senior Apartments - A 250 unit Senior Citizen Apartment Project - Anaheim, California
  • Mandalay Village -(senior draftsperson) A 500 unit / 3 story exclusive apartment project with clubhouse - Oxnard, California
  • Several single family tract home projects (senior draftsperson)

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PROJECT MANAGER / DRAFTSPERSON / DESIGNER

Advanced Drafting Service, Costa Mesa, California

1982 - 1985

Responsible for management, design and drafting of several different types of projects including Apartment complexes, Light commercial, Single family residential, tenant improvements and additions. Utilized CADD (Versacad) for most projects.  Started as a junior draftsperson concurrently while attending college, left ADS as a Project Manager

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 COMMUNITY / WORLD SERVICE

LAB – A community workshop (woodshop/metal shop/graphic) project for at-risk youth and senior citizens  - 2014 to Present

Marine Habitat Restoration Project– Restoring an historic kelp bed – 2003 to Present

Santa Barbara High School Athletics Dept. – Meet Manager – 2004 to 2010

Santa Barbara Aquatics Feasibility Committee – November 2000 to June 2008

Habitat for Humanity-Jimmy Carter Work Project 2002 – Durban, South Africa - June 2002

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EDUCATION      Bachelor of Architecture (1983)  Cal Poly Pomona

Employment 

AB design studio, inc., Santa Barbara, CA, US, Principal - Director

The owners of AB design studio and I found each other while I was working away from home in Los Angeles. AB design studio needed a leader for 2 projects that were larger and more complex than their usual projects; A museum and a Product development lab and testing center for an international company. After both projects were effectively managed through schematic design and design management, I was ready for the next challenge – AB design studio.Los Angeles – Creating something from nothing.
Office and Team Leadership
Conceptual, Schematic design and Design Development
Construction documentation mentorship
Project Management
Represent the company within the community
Rendering design concepts

Jun 2013 - Mar 2015
 

Denley Investment and Management Company, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architect - Director of Development

Director of Architecture for a high net worth developer in Los Angeles, CA. This full time contract leadership and design position was responsible for design, documentation, entitlement, planning, consultant coordination and leadership of development staff.

Dec 2011 - Jun 2013
 

Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects, Capinteria, CA, US, Architect - Senior Project Manager

Andy Neumann asked me to join their firm to design and manage projects, and mentor junior designers. NMA is a studio specializing in contemporary custom homes in the Santa Barbara- Carpinteria area. Within that specialty of custom homes are beach houses with their relaxed open layout and casual palette of materials. While with NMA we also worked on an educational/commercial project and a restaurant
Conceptual, Schematic design and Design Development
Construction documentation
Project Management
Mentoring of junior staff
Represent the company within the community
Rendering design concepts

Sep 2007 - Feb 2009
 

B3 Architects, Santa Barbara, CA, US, Architect - Director

B3 Architects is a design studio headed by Barry Berkus, an international and local business owner for over 40 years. We specialize in resort communities, mixed use, residential and institutional projects nationwide. My responsibilities as Director include:

Conceptual and Schematic design and Design Development
Construction documentation
Project Management
Overall project staffing
Mentoring of junior staff
Contracts and Budgeting
Represent the company within the community
Design review

Feb 1999 - Sep 2007
 

Zehren and Associates, Avon, CO, US, Senior Associate

Zehren and Associates is a 25 person full service architectural firm specializing in mountain resort projects nationwide located near Vail, Colorado. My responsibilities as senior associate include:
Project Management
Overall project staffing
Marketing and development of marketing materials
Mentoring of junior staff
Budgeting
Represent the company within the community
Design review

Dec 1993 - Dec 1997
 

Education 

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, US, BArch, Architecture

Sep 1978 - Jun 1983
 

Areas of Specialization