As an architect specializing in high-end design, Dawn Christine leverages more than two decades of professional experience to complete ambitious projects. Christine has established herself as a visionary in her field, steering clear of the mundane and guiding her team to realize genuine creative endeavors. Whatever the task may be, she is sure to complete it with creative flair.
Academic Foundations
Before she began her career, Christine pursued an education. She first earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Florida in 1995. She also completed a Master of Architecture at North Carolina State University in 2001 and was Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified through LEED for Homes from 2012 to 2021.
Building a Career in Architecture
After completing her education, Christine joined Meg McLaurin AIA as an architect in 2002, where she worked for the next nine years. With this experience, she became the sole proprietor of her own practice, Dawn Christine, Architect PLLC, which subsequently expanded to the states of Virginia and Florida. She later co-founded the Cross Pacific Design Group, which caters to Americans who wish to build properties in New Zealand. In this role, she oversees the entire design process, from initial concept to the production of construction documents.
Today, Christine’s daughters are also involved in her business. Her younger daughter handles social media and assists with organizing and uploading business information. Her older daughter has developed a keen eye for interior projects, making selections and creating drawings. Christine looks forward to mentoring her daughters and is proud to work with them.
Currently, Christine is working on a home project in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, inspired by the Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Her company recently completed the design development stage, which included virtual reality interior and exterior walkthroughs, and they are currently working on documents for a building permit and final construction. The project embodies the concept of home as a sanctuary, blending rugged and refined materials to achieve a stunning result.
Insight Into Christine’s Success
Before her professional success, Christine was a competitive figure skater at an early age. In this experience, she learned that whenever she fell, she had to pick herself back up and keep going. This determination to perfect every move, no matter how much it hurt, stuck with her. Now, it empowers her to engage with clients and secure valuable projects, skills she considers essential for her success.
Developing a YouTube Channel
In addition to their work at Dawn Christine, Architect PLLC, Christine and her daughters are launching a YouTube channel called “Design Talk.” Together, she and her daughters explore design-related topics around the globe, focusing on the human element of creative experiential architecture. She is currently producing videos for her New Zealand series and just got back from filming for the northern Italy series. All her footage is filmed on location without the use of artificial intelligence (AI). However, AI is a notable subject of discussion; from Christine’s perspective, AI is a tool that architects or creatives can use to bring pieces together, rather than create them.
Ambition for the Future
In the coming years, Christine plans to expand her office. Already operating in Virginia and Florida, she is also exploring business opportunities in New Zealand and Australia for both her firm and her YouTube channel. Just last year, they spent four weeks filming on location. Ultimately, her dream is to work on a truly iconic piece of architecture, such as a city opera house.
