Creating the Most Beautiful Spaces: Dawn Christine, Architect PLLC

Beauty, more specifically beautiful spaces, produce a positive emotional experience in the observer, enhancing feelings of joy and well-being. Taking the role of beauty into account when considering design and architecture is crucial to its success as an experienced space. Beautifully designed spaces open up the way for people to feel engaged, included, and in a space that’s conducive to their feelings of health and positive sense of community.

We introduce you to Dawn Christine, Architect PLLC, whether designing a new luxury custom home or executing a top level addition or renovation, they will work with your ideas and style to create the ultimate living environment that meets your needs.

In conversation with Dawn Christine, CEO, to get a better understanding of the company

Q. What motivated you to establish Dawn Christine Architect? Could you give us some context?

Being a single mom, I had to prioritize my role as a mother over my career for many years. I took a part time job for a female architect who offered me a very flexible schedule. As my children got older, I felt a restlessness and burning in my career to push further, but I faced a lot of fear from the weight of being a single mom, sole provider, and sole caregiver. It was actually a song that came on the radio that gave me the courage to leave a stable career at a residential firm to trail blaze a new path. My heart and mind were confronted with every fear you could imagine. How in the world are you going to do this? The song below came on the radio by Britt Nicole called “Walk on Water” As I listened to the song I wept. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was supposed to take a step of faith and chart a new course by starting my own firm.

Q. How is your innovation transforming architecture industry?

Experiential Architecture is transforming the architecture industry because it approaches design from reference frame of the user. This reference frame transforms the role of the architect to not only craft a beautiful building, but create an artistic and continuous spatial experience that evokes an emotional response. Through this energetic blending of idea and geometry the provocative play of primary, secondary, and tertiary sensations is heightened. By creating the built environment through an experiential approach, the common architectural elements of form and function are elevated into dramatic artistic elements making every day experiences rich with inspiration and reflection.

Q. Not all architects can imagine from customers’ point of view to design it according to their views. A designer can only suggest making some changes, but they cannot completely understand the customer needs. How do you bridge the gap between customers’ imagination and final outcome?

Many of our clients say that our process is clear and understandable. We have developed a VII Phase Design Process which establishes project expectations and sets the project on solid footing. We utilize Three-Dimensional visualization for both Interior and Exterior Design as a significant part of our process which empowers our clients to walk through and experience their spaces before the foundation is poured. Being able to visualize the interior spaces and the exterior architecture gives them confidence that their dreams are coming to life and they are getting exactly what they hoped for. As we work through a project, we move from artist to engineer in successive layers. We begin as an artist and finish by thoroughly working through each detail of the project as we prepare the drawings for permit and construction.

Often times Ideation, it is the synthesis of the architects’ vision for the project that occurs in the subconscious as the architect is processing the goals, dreams, and inspiration from the client including the site and the complex programmatic requirements of the project. For Dawn, the architectural canvas is a reflection of the inner man while blending science and art. To enter into the realm of the artist, you must release all pre-conceived ideas and the fear of the unknown.

Q. ‘Dawn is an experiential architect.’ Splendid. Would you like to elaborate on this a bit more?

An experiential architect is one who designs buildings from the perspective of how you “experience” space and form. Essentially, it is designing from the inside out. Most architects design the form and then think of how the space fits inside the form. When Dawn is generating a concept on a project, she is thinking about what each client needs and how they will experience the architecture as they move from one space to the next, not just physically, but visually as well. She layers each perspective upon the next and essentially builds a multi-faceted 3-Dimensional canvas that inspires and evokes emotion. As a result, the build form becomes a series of places which offer an invitation to embrace both the sacred and the common moments in time. This is experiential architecture.

Q. Are industry partnerships important for you?

Definitely. Experiential architecture is not only creating the experience within and around the built form, it is also creating a positive project experience for the client. Building a team of professionals who can seamlessly work together toward a common goal, each with their own specialties is imperative.

Q. Could you tell us about the work culture at Dawn Christine Architect?

Work hard/play hard! One thing that I see specifically in architecture is the demand for long hours. I think our society needs to work together to create a better work/life balance, so that is what I seek to promote here at Dawn Christine, Architect PLLC. A strong and healthy family is the backbone of a strong community and nation. I like to give my employees flexibility to take time off, to come in late, or leave early as long as we are meeting our deadlines. This empowers the staff to determine what balance is right for them and I balance the workload and deadlines accordingly.

Meet the powerhouse: Dawn Christine, CEO

For nearly 20 years, Dawn Christine has pursued excellence in design. Her distinction in design is driven by beautiful form, functional space and architectural artistry. Her innate desire to help realize a client’s vision and a love of thoughtfully executed architecture are the foundation of this firm.

She is client focused and results driven. No matter what the size or budget of the project, attention to detail, technical skill, and an eye toward excellence in design is given. Not only does she possess the ability to generate new design concepts, she is also skilled at working within an established set of parameters.

Christine earned a Batchelor of Architecture degree from the University of Florida, Masters of Architecture from North Carolina State University. Also, Christine is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited professional.