Meet Chris Dorsey | Architect & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Dorsey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my architectural practice in January of 2021 at the tail end of the covid pandemic. Prior to that, I hadn’t considered myself the entrepreneurial type or really ever thought someday I’d be starting my own business. However, leading up to and ultimately going through covid, I realized my interests weren’t really as aligned with what I was doing as I had thought. At the time, I had spent several years working as the in-house architect at a national juice company, managing the design and construction of their new stores around the US. For the majority of my time there it was going pretty well and I generally enjoyed the role and the great people I worked with. But as that company continued to grow and expand at a faster and faster clip, I began to feel myself being drawn more into corporate management and further away from the creative architectural side of things that I loved. So, with the slowdown during covid came some time to really reevaluate my priorities, and think about what to do next. For me, it became obvious that starting my own shop was the way to go.  

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business, Chris Dorsey Architects, is an architectural practice based out of the Downtown LA Arts District. My work generally ranges from designing small bespoke restaurant and retail spaces, to larger adaptive reuse projects where we might take an existing industrial building and redevelop it into something new. What I like about the architectural business is the opportunity to work in collaboration with my clients to realize the best version of their project. For instance, one of my favorite projects this year is a small renovation for a veterinary clinic. In doing research for that project, I learned about the ways that the use of color, sound, sight, and texture of the space can really play an important role in providing a nurturing and healing environment for the animals. It’s really amazing how much the architectural environment can have an effect on things. 
 
While most of my work has been with commercial projects, this year, I’ve have the opportunity to take on a few custom residential ADU and renovation/addition projects and have really found joy working in that space as well. It’s a totally different experience and pace than I’m used to, because in the fast-paced restaurant and retail world, deadlines come quickly and there can be lots of technical requirements and jurisdictional oversight to work through.  
 
What most excites me about architectural design is the opportunity to take a challenging site or idea, and unlock its hidden potential. Every project and site has its constraints and complications, and, of course, some have more than others, but finding ways to harness the uniqueness of the site can often lead to unique design possibilities that may not have revealed themselves otherwise.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live and work in the Arts District, so many of my favorite places in the city are right in my own backyard. A perfect day for me would probably start at Hauser & Wirth galleries and lunch at Manuela. I’m originally from Georgia, so their cream biscuits always remind me of home. They also have an area in the back where they raise chickens, which is always nice to visit. For evening drinks, the Obscure is a fantastic speakeasy that brings in live artists and performers while they guide you through a night of drinks from their distillery. It’s especially nice around Halloween, bringing in tarot readers and fun, spooky season ambiance. When I do manage to leave downtown, I love visiting Playa Provisions in Marina del Rey for coffee and a walk on the beach. It’s usually not as crowded as Santa Monica and there are always tons of dogs playing in the sand. Which, for me, is a win/win.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s a little cheesy but I’d honestly have to point to my wife, Ashley Sims.  She’s a TV writer and author and I literally wouldn’t be here (in LA) without her. She’s one of the most creative and hardworking people I know and has been there pushing me along since the beginning.  
 

Website: https://www.chrisadorsey.com

Instagram: #chrisdorseyarchitects

Image Credits
photos by me