As individuals, whether working or staying at home, we need our space to resonate us, to give a glimpse of us or our family to all who visit. Fantasizing about our very own place is what most of us do. Some have the skills to bring this fantasy to life, whereas some contact experts like Dawn Christine PLLC to build their dreams into reality.
Inspired and always intrigued by designs from childhood, Dawn Christine, the owner and CEO of Dawn Christine PLLC says, “Design is not about four walls, rather it is about an artistic experience through space and time in which one’s sensibilities are both tuned and in tune at once.”
Design is not about four walls, rather it is about an artistic experience through space and time in which one’s sensibilities are both tuned and in tune at once. – Dawn Christine, CEO
The Journey of Dawn
Being very much involved in Design, Dawn practices artistry of architecture and wishes to portray the poetic concept of life through her work. In High School, she was interested in Fashion Designing, until one summer when she attended a design programme in Miami, she was exposed to interior design. Her father was the first to encourage her to take up interior and exterior space design.
Originally from south Florida, Dawn’s mother and father have been instrumental in forming her as an Architect, her mom is her personal cheerleader, whereas her dad gives her strength, guidance and wisdom, while encouraging her to take up challenges and not be afraid to fall.
While she was developing her interest in design, she took up extracurricular activities a dance performer on the high school dance team, competitive figure skated in an independent figure skating club, and she played the flute all as in middle school.
Dawn Christine as a Firm
The firms main focus is on challenging preconceived ideas while bringing their clients project vision to life. Each jurisdiction they work at has different codes and rules and they have to be familiar with. People reach out to them for design because of their unique passion for design and for people. Dawn’s unique approach is successful in bringing the client’s goals, dreams, and ideas to life because they help the client broaden their vision.
Dawn is an experiential architect. An experiential architect is one who designs building from the perspective of how you “experience” space and form. Essentially, it is designing from the inside out. Most architects design the form and then think of how the space fits inside the form. When Dawn is generating a concept on a project, she is thinking about what each client needs and how they will experience the architecture as they move from one space to the next, not just physically, but visually as well. She layers each perspective upon the next and essentially builds a multi-faceted 3Dimensional canvas that inspires and evokes emotion. As a result, the home becomes a series of places which offer an invitation to embrace both the sacred and the common moments in time. This is experiential architecture.
Dawn says, “I am not just designing places; I am designing an experience.”
With the work they do, they look forward to expand in the commercial market with the skills Dawn possess. The firm aims to Embrace larger projects where they can bring their artistry experience to life.
I am not just designing places; I am designing an experience. – Dawn Christine, CEO
Dawn’s Working Strategy
The firm offers a predesign phase to give their clients options. The team follows a process, they meet the client, draw their vision, scan and analyse. It takes two weeks to do one step of the process.
They offer a valuable pre-design service called the Needs and Options Review. The service was developed because they observed a lot of their clients has great ideas for their project but had difficulty in communicating it with the architect or builder. Most often, clients need help determining the feasibility of their project and needed assistance highlighting the constraints and the architectural focus without spending money to develop a full set of architectural drawings.
The Needs and Options Review helps clients overcome initial design communication challenges that will their architect assess, define, and refine their needs, and to evaluate the best possible design options. The Needs and Options Review also helps our clients understand the design and budget requirements needed to develop their project vision in an efficient way. With a minimal investment in time and money, a completed Needs and Options Review gives our clients confidence moving forward with their project.
Ideal client for Dawn is someone who is open to creativity which comes in many forms, having different views is not an obstacle, usually clients have a lot of things they want, every obstacle is an opportunity. Creating harmony and beauty to their idea by adding her expertise.
The firm’s creativity and work has formed them into ‘The Award-Winning Architecture Company’ today.
Dealing with Trendy Clients
According to Dawn, the clients love ‘open plan’ concept, traditional homes with a modern flare. The transition from traditional to modern whilst highlighting the client’s distinct design flare helps bring Dawn and the firm fantastic client reviews. Clients have written reviews saying that we have “exceeded their expectations and brought their dream home to life”
Dawn observes the difference between her and other architects is that she layers and threads more of the artistry into the technical structural form of architecture. She doesn’t just want to give her clients a beautiful roof over the head, she wants to craft their dreams into architectural space and form that will be a legacy heirloom for the client.
Advice for Young Architect
When Dawn was asked what advice, she would like to give the young, budding architects she said, “This field is not for the faint of heart.”
The creative passion and commitment that developed in the initial stage of her learning impacted her performance.
Dawn encourages them to do it 100% and not half-heartedly, and that architecture is a long process. With experience comes lots of ideas and more creativity.
Future of Dawn Christine
Dawn has a broad project base with active architectural licenses in Virgina, North Carolina and is currently activating her Architectural License in Florida. She plans to return to her roots in Florida and create a satellite office in central Florida so she can bring her professional design skills and experience back to her home state.
Dawn’s vision to utilize existing diversity culture in Downtown Cary, where she works to develop it into an architectural concept destination gateway.
The most rewarding part of the job for her and her team is being able to use their creativity. Dawn strongly believes that the goodness of God dwells through her and is given to her clients in the work she does for them whole heartedly. Her creativity is a Gift of God and she wants to continue bringing it to others and helping them accomplish their goals. Literally building their dreams into reality.