The architecture industry, long dominated by traditional designs, is undergoing a transformation, with increasing emphasis on creating structures that are not only functional but also in sync with their surroundings. Ecologically intelligent design, regenerative construction practices, and a deep respect for natural systems are reshaping how architect visionaries like Christopher Hays approach their craft. In a world where buildings need to adapt to both the demands of the people and the environment, Christopher has built a career exploring this intricate balance.
Chris has dedicated 37 years to the design of large-scale commercial, institutional, industrial, and mixed-use projects across the United States, Europe, and Asia. From launching his architectural firm in 2004 to pioneering projects that integrate natural systems, Chris has continually explored how ecology can inform architecture. This curiosity has led him to create buildings that not only meet human needs but perform in an environmentally conscious way.
As the founding principal of Hays + Ewing Design Studio (HEDS), alongside Allison Ewing, Chris has spent over two decades pushing the boundaries of modern sustainable design. Their work is characterized by a keen understanding of the environment and how architecture can seamlessly merge with nature to create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
With projects spanning private residences, public institutions, and urban developments, HEDS’s design philosophy places an emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and sensitivity to the local context. Their approach challenges conventional architecture, ensuring that each project not only meets practical needs but enriches the lives of those who use and inhabit these spaces. Through their groundbreaking work, they have gained recognition in respected architectural journals and left a lasting impact on communities.
As they continue to navigate the rapidly changing world of architecture, Hays and Ewing remain committed to refining their designs with a focus on emerging sustainable technologies. Their goal is clear: to craft experiences that transform how people interact with their environments, while also leaving a positive footprint on the world.
A Lifelong Passion
Chris’s path to architecture was profoundly influenced by a lifelong passion for both art and science, ignited at a young age. Surrounded by art books as a child, he found particular inspiration in the work of Leonardo da Vinci, whose ability to seamlessly blend artistic mastery with scientific exploration highlighted the potential of interdisciplinary thinking. Da Vinci’s genius instilled in Chris the desire to pursue a profession that combined creative expression with scientific precision—a synergy that architecture perfectly embodies.
His formal journey began at the North Carolina State University School of Design, where the Bauhaus-inspired curriculum allowed him to explore a variety of design disciplines. This comprehensive approach echoed the interdisciplinary thinking that Chris admired in da Vinci’s work and further solidified his commitment to architecture.
What drew Chris to architecture was its unique synthesis of creativity and practicality, offering the opportunity to design beautiful, functional spaces that harmonize with the natural world while enhancing people’s lives. He views architects, much like da Vinci, as visionaries capable of revolutionizing how society interacts with the built environment. The profession’s ability to blend artistic sensitivity with technical expertise made it the perfect career choice for him, aligning with his ambition to create spaces that leave a lasting, positive impact.
A Journey Through Renowned Architectural Practices
Chris’s architectural sensibility has been shaped by a diverse array of international experiences, both in education and professional practice, exposing him to innovative design across Europe, Asia, and the United States. His journey through Yale’s School of Architecture under the mentorship of renowned American, British, Italian, and Swiss professors provided him with a multifaceted perspective on architectural theory and practice.
As a Fulbright Scholar in Venice, Chris delved into the city’s complex urban fabric, studying its unique network of canals and bridges that connect 118 small islands. This exploration into Venice’s circulation system enhanced his understanding of how urban infrastructure shapes and is shaped by the surrounding architecture. His appreciation for the relationship between context and design was further developed during his time in Tokyo, where he designed a mixed-use building at GK Sekkei for a company specializing in chopsticks and toothpicks. The building’s design became an expression of its urban context and client needs—a theme that continues to influence his work.
Chris’s two years at Renzo Piano’s Building Workshop in Italy were equally transformative. There, he absorbed the studio’s guiding principles, where culture, materials, and bold construction techniques are central to the design process. His tenure at McDonough + Partners was another pivotal period, allowing him to work on pioneering green building projects, including the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College—one of the most advanced examples of ecological design in an academic setting. As Design Partner, he co-directed the design of landmark projects like the Gap Corporate Campus in California, (which is now YouTube’s headquarters) Nike Europe Headquarters in the Netherlands, and Ecourban, a large mixed-use project in Barcelona.
These experiences refined Chris’s ability to create award-winning designs that synchcronize the “soul” of an institution with its environment, while adhering to ecologically intelligent design principles. His work with McDonough further reinforced his belief that architecture can address environmental challenges and enhance quality of life by blending aesthetics, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Chris’s international experience informs his holistic approach to architecture, drawing from global influences while remaining deeply respectful of local contexts. Founding HEDS was a natural evolution of his career, enabling him to synthesize his rich background, experience, and philosophy into a practice that seeks to make a meaningful impact on the built environment.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Design
HEDS Architecture, under the leadership of Chris, stands at the cutting edge of sustainable and innovative design, blending modern aesthetics with advanced ecological principles. At the heart of the firm’s philosophy is the belief that exceptional architecture should enhance its surroundings while enriching the lives of its inhabitants.
Chris emphasizes that HEDS’ approach begins with a deep exploration of each site’s unique characteristics. Whether it is in an urban or rural setting, the process takes into account its physical, cultural, historical, and environmental context. This exploration is complemented by a collaborative relationship with clients, ensuring their values are intricately woven into the fabric of the design. As a result, HEDS creates projects that harmonize with their environments and resonate deeply with users, from private residences to public institutions.
Key elements defining the work at HEDS include:
- Ecological Innovation: The firm integrates advanced sustainable technologies, from passive solar design to green roofs, to push the boundaries of ecological architecture.
- Context-Sensitive Design: Each project is meticulously site-specific, factoring in local climate, topography, and cultural nuances to ensure relevance and resonance.
- Collaborative, Research-Driven Process: HEDS embraces collaboration with clients, partners, and stakeholders, while continually exploring new materials and design techniques to stay at the forefront of architectural innovation.
- Holistic Sustainability: The firm’s projects are designed with a long-term vision, considering not just the environmental impact but also the health, well-being, and social good of the communities they serve.
Notable projects such as the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center and the Dogtrot House at Stony Point epitomize HEDS’ ability to merge modern design with ecological innovation. These projects not only deliver aesthetic beauty and functionality but also serve as educational models of environmental sustainability.
At HEDS Architecture, Chris and Allison are crafting designs that inspire a deep synergy between people and nature, demonstrating that environmentally responsive architecture can be as beautiful as it is functional, offering deeply satisfying spaces for the people who inhabit them.
Capturing Essence in Design
According to Chris, the foundation of HEDS Architecture’s approach lies in an intense exploration of each site. They believe that thoroughly understanding the most essential elements of a place is crucial before integrating them into the design. Regardless whether the site is urban or rural, this exploration involves studying the physical attributes of the site and delving into its cultural, historical, and environmental context.
Equally vital in their process is fostering deep engagement with clients and future users of the spaces. In residential projects, particularly single-family homes, HEDS strives to embed the intrinsic values of the clients into the very essence of the building. Their goal is to create homes that not only meet functional needs but also resonate on a more personal and emotional level with their inhabitants.
Chris describes HEDS’ iterative design process as one that refines ideas continuously until they reach a solution that feels inevitable for both the client and the place. This ensures that their designs grow organically from the site, in harmony with both the environment and the client’s vision.
He draws an intriguing parallel between HEDS’ architectural design process and his experience with portrait painting. Just as a portrait aims to capture not just the physical likeness of a person but also the intangible qualities that reveal their personality, HEDS’ designs aim to embody the essence of the owners’ character, seamlessly blending it into the context of the site. The result is a home that feels like a natural extension of both the place and the client’s personality – essentially a built portrait.
This philosophy of “building as portraiture” extends beyond residential projects to all of HEDS’ work, including public spaces, commercial buildings, and landscapes. In every project, the goal is to create solutions that feel as though they have always belonged in their context, waiting to be discovered. These designs are intended to resonate deeply with users, the broader community, and the environment, creating spaces that are not only functional and beautiful but also meaningful and rooted in their surroundings.
HEDS Architecture’s design philosophy revolves around creating architecture that captures the essence of the place, the people who inhabit it, and the community it serves. This approach respects the past, meets present needs, and looks toward the future, all while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and contextual sensitivity.
Collaboration and Inclusion in Architectural Design
As an architect committed to sustainable and innovative design, Chris identifies several key areas where the architectural and planning industries should improve to meet present and future challenges.
With the slamming of the huge Category 4 hurricane Helene into the southeast, we have just witnessed what the future likely holds. Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, caused unprecedented damage in the Carolinas, including severe inland flooding. Its intensity was linked to abnormally warm Gulf waters, supporting climate scientists’ warnings about increasing extreme weather events due to human-induced global warming. The hurricane’s impact emphasizes the urgent need for better preparedness in coastal and inland areas, as well as the importance of reducing fossil fuel dependence to mitigate climate change.
- Beyond Sustainability: Given the rapid acceleration of global warming evidenced in the last decade, Chris Hays advocates for a more ambitious, positive design approach that is both resilient and regenerative. The term “sustainability” implies maintaining the status quo of our environment, or doing no harm. As Helene just provided a stark warning that a more forward-looking approach is desperately needed. The new regenerative paradigm prioritizes projects that create a positive environmental impact, produce more energy, provide long-term resiliency and buildings that adapt and evolve for future uses. Regenerative, resilient design should become an integral part of architectural education, urban and rural planning, industry practices, and building codes. Achieving this requires a cultural shift toward climate-consciousness and an economic awareness that values present and future generations equally.
- Climate Resilience: With increasing environmental challenges, designing buildings and urban spaces to withstand extreme weather events and shifting climate conditions is essential. Climate resilience should be a primary focus of all new developments, ensuring they are durable and adaptable.
- Life-Cycle Thinking: The entire life-cycle of buildings—from construction to operation and eventual deconstruction or repurposing—must be considered. Using sustainable materials, designing for adaptability, and minimizing waste should guide architectural decisions to ensure long-term environmental and economic viability.
- Global Collaboration: Chris advocates for the creation of an international collaborative council to share knowledge and best practices across borders. This global database of successful sustainable and resilient projects can inform architectural strategies worldwide, helping the industry develop cohesive responses to global challenges.
- Social Responsibility: Architecture plays a vital role in shaping communities, and designs should contribute positively to community well-being and social equity. Projects need to address not just aesthetic and functional needs, but also the social and cultural impact on the people who use the spaces now, as well as future generations.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Chris emphasizes the need for greater diversity within the architecture industry. A wider range of perspectives enhances design thinking and ensures that buildings and urban spaces are created to meet the diverse needs of all communities, fostering equity and inclusion.
By focusing on these areas, Chris envisions an architecture industry that makes a stronger positive impact on the environment, communities, and quality of life, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Finding Clarity in Architectural Design
Chris finds immense joy in the early stages of a project, particularly during the sketching phase when design ideas start to emerge. The Dogtrot at Stony Point is a prime example of a project that encapsulates this creative exploration. The house successfully merged the desires of the clients with the unique characteristics of their wooded site, along with inspirations they gathered from their travels in Asia.
At the heart of the home is a covered open porch, or “dogtrot,” a traditional southern architectural feature designed to passively cool the house by channeling breezes through the space. Beyond its functional role, the dogtrot created a shaded outdoor area where the homeowners could connect with nature, transforming their way of life. The clients found joy in dining outdoors in the dogtrot whenever possible, embracing the connection to their surroundings.
For Chris, there’s a deep sense of fulfillment when the initial design comes together, resonating not only with him but also with his team and the clients. However, this design clarity doesn’t always occur instantly. Often, it takes several iterations, a back-and-forth process, until a central idea crystallizes—an idea that unlocks the rest of the design and makes the entire project feel inevitable and cohesive.
This process, while challenging at times, is one of the most gratifying aspects of architecture for Chris. It is where the balance between creativity, functionality, and the client’s vision is discovered and brought to life.
The Intersection of Architecture and Environmental Responsibility
Chris observes that the architecture industry is undergoing profound transformations, largely driven by technological advancements and innovative biophilic studies. These shifts are reshaping how architects approach design, construction, and sustainability.
Some of the key changes include:
- AI and Data Analytics: AI and data analytics have the potential to revolutionize both micro and macro aspects of building design. Buildings could be optimized for aerodynamics, energy production, and environmental impact. This technology enables architects to predict performance, analyze environmental data, and create designs that are more effective and adaptive to future conditions.
- Smart and Responsive Buildings: The future of architecture lies in smart buildings that can respond to their environments, such as structures capable of capturing CO2 or adjusting to climate conditions. These intelligent systems allow buildings to contribute positively to their surroundings, becoming part of the solution to climate change rather than merely adapting to it.
- 3D Printing: 3D-printed buildings represent a significant leap toward zero-waste construction, offering innovative approaches to reducing material waste and speeding up the building process. This technology also holds the potential to create highly customized and sustainable structures.
- Sustainable Material Technologies: Breakthroughs in materials, such as rigid insulation made from mushroom root structures (mycelium), are showing great promise. These materials are not only sustainable but also biodegradable, helping the industry move toward a more environmental ecosystem.
- Adaptive Urban Solutions: In response to climate disruptions such as rising sea levels and flooding, architects are exploring imaginative solutions like floating neighborhoods in the Netherlands and proposed floating cities in flood-prone regions of Asia. These projects offer a glimpse into how urban design might evolve to cope with extreme climate conditions.
- Biophilic Design and Research: Biophilic studies have expanded our understanding of how architecture can enhance human well-being by connecting people to nature. This new knowledge is not just leading to solutions for existing problems but introducing entirely new design possibilities that integrate natural systems into the built environment.
Chris emphasizes that technology is not only enhancing our tools but also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design and construction. As architecture increasingly intersects with fields like computer science, environmental studies, and data analytics, the industry is moving towards more integrated, efficient, and ecologically conscious designs. This convergence is paving the way for a future where architecture plays a crucial role in solving global challenges and improving the quality of life for future generations.
The Reward of Risk
Chris reflects on the greatest professional risk he has taken: the “somewhat delusional decision” to start a new architecture firm, with an ecological focus and an innovative, modern design aesthetic. After spending sixteen years working with established firms and developing a reputation in sustainable design, the leap to create his own practice came with significant risks, including financial uncertainty. Leaving a stable position to start a new venture always involves financial risks, requiring investment and the willingness to navigate uncertain revenue streams in the early stages. While he had built a strong personal reputation, establishing the credibility of a new firm took time and effort, necessitating trust and recognition in a competitive industry.
Chris had a distinct vision to integrate sustainable practices with cutting-edge modern design, but executing this vision independently presented numerous hurdles. This challenge was undertaken in Charlottesville, a town known for its Jeffersonian architecture. There was uncertainty about how this market would respond to HEDS’ unique approach. Breaking through and differentiating the firm from more traditional practices was a key concern.
Despite these challenges, Chris believes the risk was worth it. Founding HEDS has allowed him and his team to push the boundaries of sustainable design, take on projects that align with their values, and make a more significant impact on the field of architecture. The firm’s early challenges-built resilience and an innovative spirit that now define its practice and success.
Shaping the Future of Built Environments
Chris envisions HEDS evolving through exciting expansions in research, particularly in areas like AI, biophilic design, and materials innovation. The firm aims to broaden its engagement beyond Virginia, forging partnerships with clients and interdisciplinary collaborators to enhance its impact.
A key focus for the future of HEDS is the development of regenerative and resilient design solutions. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the need for architecture that can adapt to changing environmental conditions is critical. HEDS embeds this adaptive approach into every aspect of its designs, ensuring that the structures created today remain sustainable and functional in the face of future environmental shifts.
HEDS is also committed to advancing carbon-neutral and carbon-negative architecture, exploring systems like mass timber to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of projects. Their holistic design approach evaluates the entire lifecycle of materials, incorporating new standards for sustainability in architecture.
In addition to sustainability, biophilic design is another cornerstone of HEDS’ future vision. Chris believes in creating spaces that foster a profound connection between people and nature, enhancing well-being and productivity. HEDS aims to design buildings that not only look beautiful but also promote the physical and mental health of their occupants through the integration of natural elements.
Looking forward, HEDS aspires to continuous innovation, shaping architecture in ways that contribute to environmental solutions. Chris emphasizes the goal of creating regenerative spaces—buildings and environments that give back more than they take. Through this approach, HEDS seeks to define a future for architecture that benefits both people and the planet, making a positive, lasting impact.
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