Design Associates Architects

Chris Lee did a fabulous job as the architect of our new home in Jackson, WY (The Landing on Chris’ project list). Chris is the ultimate “can-do guy” who will work closely with you to find a terrific solution to any issue that arises in the design and construction of a home. And then he comes through, solving problems that others would and often did say could not be solved. He combines his creativity and experience with being an excellent listener who is keenly attuned to the client’s hopes and aspirations. Over the course of our project he worked with us through numerous modifications, offering great suggestions and ideas, as we evolved from thinking we wanted a minimalist vacation home built on a tight budget into wanting more of a “dream home” that has become our primary residence. Chris’ design skills enabled him to meld our desire for a modern, clean look with an exterior that also blended in beautifully with the mountain and prairie setting. He pushed the envelope in developing a plan that maximized the use of glass to take full advantage of the spectacular mountain views from our property, while dealing with the mechanical, energy efficiency and cost issues this raised. The main interior space of the house is a Great Room with warm, light wood paneling on a tall, vaulted ceiling, set off by dramatic beams of wood and steel. In dealing with his clients, Chris has a terrific sense of when and how he can help clients push their own personal boundaries. As a result, our home has many special design features, including a subtly sloping roof line, that we never would have thought of or embraced without his explanation and persuasion. He is also expert in using the latest digital software for architects, which enables him to generate renderings, many in 3D, to help his clients visualize how the end product will look, and thereby to better understand his proposals. Chris was equally effective in dealing with others involved in our project, including the contractor, the project manager, the interior designer, the lighting designer and the engineering specialists whose input was required. He welcomed everyone’s input, and he was generous in his praise of their contributions to the end result. Finally, Chris manages the nuts and bolts of the business relationship just as skillfully as he does the design work. He is clear and very fair in his pricing, and he makes sure you know as a client that what matters most to him is that you are satisfied with what he has produced. Chris is a very talented and creative architect who is also a pleasure to work with.

We can't say enough about Chris Lee and team at Design Associates. Professional, courteous and patient throughout the process of designing and building our home. They went above and beyond to ensure that our project exceeded our expectations in every way and always made themselves available throughout the build process. I would absolutely use them again and highly recommend them to anyone considering a build.

I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Chris Lee and the Design Associates team on two residential, new construction projects in Jackson, Wyoming. Chris has been accessible and engaged in each project throughout the design and building phases. He has consistently proposed creative, architecturally cohesive and appealing design solutions that are within budget. Chris is respectful of his client's goals and has great working relationships with trade professionals. A particular strength is his extensive knowledge of ArchiCAD including a vast custom graphic library of 3D architectural building materials he has developed to help clients visualize their home's look, feel and finishes...a great tool to make informed choices early in the design process! Using the Design Associates ArchiCAD model has saved my firm drafting time and helped keep us aware of any changes made architecturally that might influence the interior design of the project. Clients have appreciated this joint approach and the cost savings are not insignificant.

d/a Architects led by Chris Lee creates homes that are thoughtful and very, very well designed. They work extensively in ArchiCAD, which is a program that has not only helped the trade in creating visions for the clients, but has also been an enormous tool for both client and contractors to really understand the aesthetic of the home. ArchiCAD creates a virtual tour to see every intricate detail of the home and the better feel the spaces. DLA Architects’ quality and service is impeccable. Chris is a wonderful person to work with, as well as his team. He always gives 110% to any project and to client satisfaction. It has been our experience with them that they strive for excellence in everything that they do to create client satisfaction and create homes that will be a retreat for not only second home-owners in Jackson, but also for residents of Jackson.

Chris Lee completely redesigned our kitchen from a 1980's style to state of the art. He listens to what you want, plus any later changes you may have. He will work on a one to one, so you can talk with him instead of possibly an assistant as in other firms. If you want that personal touch, I would strongly recommend Chris Lee.

I would highly recommend Chris. He was professional, curtious, and took his time (although not too much time) with the design of my home. He actually listened to what I was saying/wanting from the get go and made me feel as if I were a part of the process, not simple a client. He delivered with acceptional design above and beyond what I saw possible. Chris also respected my budget and kept our design within that. Many design and architect individuals and firms have a difficult time doing so.

Working with Chris and Kathy Lee was an awesome experience. They were recommended by our builder. Because Chris is local to Jackson Hole, he has a deep understanding of the community, environmental issues, legal and architectural politics that can impact every aspect of a project. Understanding the climate, sun and view angles allowed him to position our house to maximum advantage. His creativity is unmatched and most importantly he designed exactly what we wanted while superimposing his flair for the the environment in which we reside. And Chris is great to work with... we enjoyed the journey start to finish and you will too! Nick Hopkins