CHRIS PARDO
Founder of Chris Pardo Design- Elemental Architecture, Chris Pardo’s architectural work is best described as simply modern.
Influenced primarily by Asian and Scandinavian contemporaries, his buildings exhibit an adept understanding of form and a purity of material. Largely self taught in the field of architecture, Pardo spent eight years living/studying across the West Coast before returning to Seattle to attend the University of Washington’s Masters of Architecture program. While students he Co-founded Pb Elemental Architecture along with former partner Dave Biddle. The firm grew quickly focusing not only on design, but also construction, development and real estate. In less than five years the duo had successfully designed over 500 projects. In 2007 he was honored with an AIA commendation award for the design of the Sterling Residence, received the 2008 Design achievement award from Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Magazine, in 2009 was named to the “20 under 40 top architects” as well as honored as one of the “Top 25 innovators” by Seattle Business Magazine. Recently he was named in the “Worldwide Architecture: The Next Generation” as one of the top architects under 40 in the World, and was named as “Decades Best” by Seattle Magazine. In 2011 Pardo was honored as one of Seattle’s “Most Influential People” by Seattle Magazine. He has been prolifically featured in national/international blogs, magazines, books, and newspapers. Pardo has found success practicing a true elemental architecture, interpreting buildings as utilitarian sculpture rather than a commodity. Each design portrays a strong elemental language allowing the massing to define the language and character of the space.
DERRY BETTS
Director of Chris Pardo Design- Elemental Architecture, Derry Betts’ love for architectural design focuses around the use of simple form and space efficiency within dwellings, concepts that he gained influence from when studying early 1950′s architects Craig Ellwood and Pierre Koenig. After completing his undergraduate degree in 2009 and later his Masters of Architecture from Washington State University in 2010, he joined Chris Pardo at Pb Elemental Design, LLC. Here he began as an intern architect and quickly moved up from renderer to project manager and head of graphic representation. He has produced numerous concept images that have been published in a variety of articles contributing to the firm’s national attention. Over the past years his passion for creativity has expanded to music, where he has had the opportunity to DJ at various venues around the greater Seattle area.
PETER GREAVES
Principal of Chris Pardo Design-Elemental Architecture, Peter David Greaves, AIA, describes his design philosophy as Minimalism – doing more with less. Peter is a modernist and a generalist, drawing on design practices from all quarters, applying the best ideas to each new project, and integrating sustainable practices into the whole.
A graduate of the prestigious Syracuse University School of Architecture, Greaves relocated to Seattle to focus on designs for industry, beginning his career as the sole architect in a firm of process engineers. Peter honed his skills at the firm of influential Seattle modernist, Ibsen Nelsen, eventually establishing his own architectural practice. He and Chris Pardo began their collaboration in 2010.
His work includes designs for industry, retail, offices, hospitality, and single-family homes. Recent design explorations include a series of mixed-use urban in-fill buildings, most featuring housing over sidewalk retail. Peter’s work has been recognized with numerous design awards including AIA Seattle Honor Awards, AIA Pacific and Northwest Region Honor Awards, and a 2009 AIA | COTE “Top Ten Green Projects” award.
Greaves has served the architectural profession as a Director and ultimately as President of AIA Seattle and AIA Washington Council. He is currently on the Boards of several non-profit organizations in the community.
JOE MALBOEUF
Project Architect of Chris Pardo Design-Elemental Architecture, Joe Malboeuf designs modern buildings for utility with simple materials. Design and development influences include Marcel Breuer and Ted Smith.
Joe has over seven years of experience in Architecture. He has expertise in the design and construction administration of large scale urban mixed-use projects in New York City. In the northwest, he has experience in the design and construction of single family residences and civic projects. Outside of a firm, Joe designed and built residential projects that were published in Metropolis Magazine and the Seattle Times.
Malboeuf earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Architecture degree from the NewSchool of Architecture in San Diego.
NATE ALLEN
Project Manager of Chris Pardo Design – Elemental Architecture, Nathan Allen, Assoc. AIA, spent the last six years working in the design field by day while completing his Master of Architecture degree at the Boston Architectural College by night.
While in Boston, Nate worked at multiple design firms including CBT Architects, and most recently the prefab housing company Blu Homes. Blu Homes introduced Nate to the advantages of prefabrication and the excitement of working with innovative clients.
During his last year and a half at the Boston Architectural College Nate spent much of his time exploring his thesis concept, “Community and identity in mixed-use living environments”. Influenced by Architects such as Gropius and Safdie, Nate believes that architecture should create a visual and personal dialogue, both for the user and the surrounding community.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Nate earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Technology from Western Washington University.
SHANE HERZER
Project Manager of Chris Pardo Design – Elemental Architecture, Shane Herzer joins the firm with several years of experience working in the region and abroad on large and small scale projects for a variety of uses. Project highlights include a 120 unit mixed use project in Seattle, 300 acre redevelopment master plan in Everett, high-end retail projects in the United States and Europe, and a hybrid steel and wood home in southeastern Washington. He brings to the firm a knowledge of construction and an attention to detail well suited to the realization of highly wrought design projects typical of Chris Pardo Design. He is a conscientious designer with an eye for precision and a mind for construction, accuracy, and durability. In addition to time in an office Shane has several years of job site experience working on custom homes and residential remodels.
LEIGH WILKINS
Project Architect of Chris Pardo Design – Elemental Architecture, Leigh is a licensed architect in the State of Washington and California with ten years of experience. In 2000 Leigh served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa focusing on environmental and community development. In 2005 she received the Charles Winthrop Leas, III Academic Scholarship for her work at the University of Washington. Additionally, in 2006, she was nominated for the Frederick P Rose Fellowship for her Thesis work on post-disaster relief housing in New Orleans, LA and Sri Lanka.
Leigh’s design interests include architecture, graphics, web design and sustainability. Her experience ranges from high-end residential and hospitality design to mid-size commercial and market-rate multifamily residential design.
Interior Designer of Chris Pardo Design-Elemental Architecture, Lauren obtained her degree from the CIDA-Accredited Interior Design program at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. While maintaining Dean’s List status and being recognized as a Trustee’s Scholar, in 2008, Lauren became the first student at Winthrop to achieve LEED Accreditation. This focus on sustainability early on in her career has carried throughout her single-family residential and commercial project experience.
