Christopher Spaw AIA is an architect and designer currently contributing to the construction and re-emergence of communities in Kansas City and northeastern Kansas. His practice is shaping new construction and revitalizing existing, historical spaces and agrarian structures in the Flint Hills prairie. These projects are supported by experience working with BNIM and Torgeir Norheim Architect on projects throughout the US and Norway. In Ogna, Norway, Spaw designed a community of 160 modern summer homes nestled amongst the rock outcroppings and cliffs overlooking the North Sea. His work on the urban development and revitalization of the Orange Sardine Factory was Awarded the prestigious 2014 Byggeskikkprisen, Excellence in Building Culture Award, by the municipality of Stavanger for its contribution to neighborhood rejuvenation. Today, he is the principle at SPAWORKS, and serves residential and commercial clients that appreciate beautiful modern design with well-crafted, necessary solutions.
From 2009-2018, Spaw owned boxlab, a design studio and showroom that provided architecture and contractor services for curated, modern design. They built energy-efficient modern homes and commercial interiors, and marketed high-end design products from international manufacturers. boxlab worked for and collaborated on projects with award-winning firms including JSa Arquitectura (Mexico City), MIMMIR (Norway), and BNIM (Los Angeles and Kansas City.)
Spaw earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Architecture from Kansas State University, with his thesis receiving an Innovative ETD Award. He has sixteen years of experience teaching at the intersections of art and design, holding first-year to graduate-level positions at Kansas State University and the Kansas City Art Institute. He co-founded the Design + Build program at KSU, and his former students are currently contributing to important work in Architecture as Lead Designers and Principals at known firms including: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, Olson Kundig, Weiss/Manfredi, and Studio Gang. Local firms including Gensler, BNIM, Helix, Studio Build, SixTwentyOne, Populous, HOK, and Hufft also employ former students from KSU and KCAI. His art and design students are enrolled at recognized graduate programs and exhibiting their work at venues including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art.
In addition to his architecture practice, Spaw is prototyping a collection of bespoke home accessories in collaboration with Kansas City artist Caleb Taylor for George Terbovich Inc., Kansas City. This line of white oak furniture is articulately handmade for designed lifestyles and will debut in international showrooms in 2025.
Education
Master of Architecture, Kansas State university, 2005
Bachelor of Architecture, Kansas State university, 1997
Licensed Architect: Kansas, Missouri