Chris Dawson founded Chris Dawson Architect in 2009 on the heels of 15 years of experience in Central Pennsylvania. He is a Syracuse University graduate with work that is consistently recognized by the AIA with design awards (23 from 2009-2023). He is passionate about architecture and holds a deep-seeded belief that architecture is art. In 2020, AIA PA recognized Chris’s commitment to “creating a better world through innovative, scalable and measurable solutions” with the Impact Designer Award.
CHRIS DAWSON, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal-In-Charge
Education
- Cornell University Introduction to Architecture, 1987
- Syracuse University, B.Arch, 1993
- Harvard University, Leadership Seminar, 2008
Affiliations
- Registered Architect – Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1998 – Present
- Registered Architect – State of Ohio, 2018 – Present
- Registered Architect – State of Oklahoma, 2019 – Present
- Registered Architect – State of West Virginia, 2022 – Present
- Registered Architect – State of Florida, 2022 – Present
- Member – American Institute of Architects (AIA), 1994 – Present
- Board Member – AIA PA, 2014 – 2019
- President – Central PA AIA Chapter, 2010 – 2011 / Board Member, 2005 – Present
- AIA PA Regional Representative – AIA National Small Firm Exchange, 2019 – Present
- Chairman – Central PA AIA Lecture Series, 2005 – 2014, 2019 – Present
- LEED AP BD+C U.S. Green Building Council, 2007 – Present
- Board Member – ACE Mentoring Central PA Chapter, 2007 – 2013
Key Past Projects
- PA State Museum – Paver Repair / Replacement, 2023
- Milton Hershey School Environmental Center Study, 2021 – 2022
- Harrisburg City Hall Renovations, 2020, AIA Award
- Hershey Public Library New Family Entrance & Interior Renovations, 2020, AIA Award
- West Shore Theatre Renovations, 2018, 2020, Multiple Awards
- Watkins Residence, 2020, AIA Award
- Hidden Still Distillery & Restaurant, 2020, AIA Award
- Ritner Steel Office Building, 2020
- Elementary Coffee Co., 2019, AIA Awards, Preservation Award
- Penn State Harrisburg – 24/7 Study, 2019, AIA Award
- AIA Pennsylvania Design for Better New Cumberland, 2019, ASAE Power of A Gold Award
- Heartshine Donation-Based Restaurant, 2019
- Camp Small Valley Renovations & Additions, 2017 – 2018
- King Mansion Renovations – K&W Engineers Offices, 2017
- International Architecture Competition Amber Road Trekking Cabins, 2017, Multiple Awards
- Milton Hershey School Office of The President Suite Renovations, 2017, AIA Award
- 11 East Chocolate Avenue Renovations, 2016 – 2017
- International Design Competition Lamborghini Road Monument, 2016, Gold Mention / 4th place
- Fifteen @ Twenty-Two / Keystone Building Residential Conversion, 2015 – 2016, AIA Award
- Milton Hershey School Senior Hall South Renovations, 2016
- Dance Studio, Garage Bay Renovation, 2015, AIA Award
- Susquehanna Art Museum Exhibit Design, 2014 – 2016
- Mexitaly 2.0, 2013, AIA Award
- Forum & Finance Building Renovations, 2012 – 2015
- Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, 2012, AIA Award
- Whitaker Center Vestibule Additions + Backstage Studio, 2012
- West King Street Corridor Redevelopment, 2011, AIA Award
- Eastern Market Bench Artwork Installation, 2011, AIA Award
- Crispus Attucks Early Learning Center, 2010, AIA Award
Download Complete Resume in PDF
