Christopher J. Smith
Principal of Architecture

Christopher has successfully executed projects at some of Southern California’s most iconic architectural sites. He has been involved in a wide range of historic, commercial, educational, residential and hospitality projects. Christopher is committed to client service and design excellence, with a creative and personal approach that cultivates long term stakeholder relationships. He serves his clients through the entire project, leading the way from RFP through closeout, as well as overseeing regulatory processing between local, state and federal agencies. 

Education

• Graduate Certificate, Historic Preservation
  University of Southern California (USC), 2007
• Bachelor of Arts, Urban Studies
  California State University, Northridge, 1992 
  Meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional
  Qualifications in Architecture and Historic ​Architecture

Experience

• BREEN Engineering Inc., Torrance, CA
  Principal of Architecture: January 2020 - Present
• Mark Cavagnero Associates, Los Angeles, CA
  Los Angeles Office Director & Preservation Specialist, 2017 - 2020
• Architectural Resources Group, Pasadena, CA
  Principal, Office Director & Preservation Specialist, 2005 - 2017
• Jubany Architecture (Now NAC), Los Angeles, CA
  ​Senior Project Manager: 2000-2005

​Public Presentations and Speaking Engagements 

• Bisnow
  ​Evolution of the Modern Office, Moderator
• American Planning Association (APA)
  ​Annual Meeting
  “When New Meets Old: Additions to Historic Buildings”
• Pasadena Heritage Presents
  A Tribute to Julia Morgan and the YWCA Pasadena
• California Preservation Foundation (CPF)
  Webinar Speaker
  California Historical Building Code
• Society of College & University Planners (SCUP)
  Plenary Session Speaker, Vancouver Canada
  “Taking Stock of Recent Past Post War Capital Assets on Campus”
• Pasadena Heritage, Heritage Associates Dinner
  “Pasadena City Hall: Construction Update”

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

• Urban Land Institute (ULI) - Programs Committee Member
• Los Angeles Headquarters (LAHQ)
• Los Angeles Conservancy
• Los Angeles City Council District 14 - Commercial Reuse Ordinance Task Force
• Pasadena Heritage - Former Board of Directors & Advisory Council Member
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Representative Projects with other Firms

• UCLA Clark Library: Seismic Upgrade & Rehab – West Adams District/Los Angeles, CA
• Jensen’s Recreation Center: Rehab, Renovations & Upgrades – Los Angeles, CA
• Pasadena City Hall: Seismic Upgrade & Rehabilitation – Pasadena, CA
• Hercules (Hughes) Campus: Historic Preservation & Conceptual Design – Los Angeles, CA
• Kimpton Hotel: Adaptive Reuse Historic & Design Consulting – Los Angeles, CA
• Ole Hanson Beach Club, Rehabilitation/Restoration – San Clemente, CA
• LA Union Station: Restoration/Rehabilitation/Retail Improvements – Los Angeles, CA
• Hollywood Palladium: Exterior Restoration – Hollywood/Los Angeles, CA
• Title Insurance Building – 433 S. Spring Street: Adaptive Reuse – Los Angeles, CA
• Ole Hanson Beach Club: Restoration and Rehabilitation – San Clemente, CA
• Gilmore Adobe: Seismic Upgrades, Office Renovation/Rehab – Los Angeles, CA
• Palm Court, Senior Living: Renovation – Culver City, CA
• UCSD Future College: Neighborhood Planning Study – La Jolla, CA
• Green Hotel Apartments: New Ground Up Apartment Complex – Pasadena, CA