Chris Iwerks, AIA, is a principal and co-founder of the firm. Over his career, Chris Iwerks has advanced outcome-driven methodologies to help clients and user groups articulate essential goals and explore innovative design solutions. His collaborative approach has been applied to a wide variety of project types, encompassing architecture, experience design, environmental graphics, marine environment design, master planning, software design, and the creation of outcome-centered methodologies for decision-making.
In architectural design, Chris Iwerks’ portfolio includes nationally recognized projects for civic institutions, transportation, education, and research. His efforts have been recognized nationally and locally for design excellence, including receipt of the highest architectural achievement in Boston — the Harleston Parker Medal for “the most beautiful building in Boston”—awarded for the design of Vent Building No. 7 at Logan International Airport.
In the arenas of environmental graphics and experience design, he has developed projects where deep systematic thinking and empathic design intersect. He has led large-scale projects for the MBTA’s new system-wide wayfinding program, exhibit and experience design for the New England Aquarium and Zoo New England, and environmental graphics projects for the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, UMASS Lowell campus, and the Greater Bridgeport Transportation Authority.
As an educator, Chris Iwerks has taught design studios at the Boston Architectural College, Rhode Island School of Design, and Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Professionally, Chris Iwerks has served on the Board of the Boston Society of Architects, and was elected to terms as the BSA Commissioner of Design and the Honors and Awards Committee. He also co-chaired the BSA Executive Director search in 2012.
Throughout his career, Chris Iwerks has been an advocate for integrating sustainable design strategies into his projects and was among the first in the country to become an Accredited Professional (LEED AP) with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
His current focus is on the development and implementation of outcome-driven design techniques. This methodology, widely used in product and service design, is new to architecture and offers an improved process for framing project criteria around the important desired outcomes of stakeholders.
Registration
Connecticut # 9916
Maine # NA2734
Massachusetts #5052
New Hampshire #04184
Rhode Island # 2773
NCARB Certification # 47156
LEED Accredited Professional
Education
Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Master of Architecture, 1979
Cal Poly College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, 1976
Affiliations
AIA – American Institute of Architects
BSA – Boston Society of Architects
BSA – Co-Chair, Executive Director Search Committee 2010-2011
BSA – Commissioner of Design 2010-2011
BSA – Chair, Nominating Committee 2013-2014
BSA – Nominating Committee 2009-2010
BSA – Honors and Awards Committee 1999-2001
BSA – Harleston Parker Jury member 1998
LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design/U.S. Green Building Council
SEGD – Society for Experiential Graphic Design
