About Chamberlin Architects
We are an employee-owned firm with a focused, studio culture devoted to finding creative ways to achieve a project’s objectives. Chamberlin Architects delivers design excellence and professional service typically associated with firms in larger urban areas. Our principals remain fully involved with a project from concept through construction.
Our History
One Iconic Architect
Our Award winning Designs may seem like they have always been a part of the local landscape. Chamberlin Architects traces it’s beginnings to one iconic architect.
As a young architecture student at Cal Poly, Ed Chamberlin developed a passion for Opens Space Planning that led him to visit the community at the forefront of OPS: Boulder CO. Passing through Grand Junction, Chamberlin was impressed by its similarities to San Luis Obispo.
Ed Packed up his Skis and Moved to Colorado
In 197?, Upon graduating, Chamberlin packed up his skis and moved to Boulder. His first job was a remodel of a living room for someone he met on a chairlift in Vail.
Chamberlin soon found himself in Grand Junction Colorado drafting for Bob Vandeusen, whom he had met during an earlier visit. He also worked in Denver and partnered in another firm before starting Chamberlin Architects in 1778.
Initially, Chamberlin and his two partners, began designing homes.
Early Projects
Their first non-residential project, GJ Art Center, is still an important part of the cultural landscape. Soon they teamed with a larger firm for the Mt. Garfield Middle School, and GJ Mail Handling Annex. The experience designing a government building postured them for future government work.
The procurement of the Canyonlands National Park project was a pivotal endeavor that established Chamberlin Architects as a prominent firm.
Grand Junction Art Center was built in …
Mount Garfield Middle School was built in….
Mount Garfield Middle School was built in….
The Canyonland Park Comprehensive Project includes the design and construction of 22 different buildings spanning over ?? acres in a 3 year period.
A Pivotal Decision
A pivotal decision to purchase and remodel a building along Grand Junction’s historical Main Street during a regional depression gave Chamberlin Architects a foothold during a turbulent time. At the time of the purchase, 60% of the buildings on Main Street were boarded up.
Chamberlin Architects’ transformation of this condemned building into it’s company headquarters not only established the ethos of sustainability and community, it allowed Chamberlin Architects to transform itself into the largest architecture firm in the GJ area.
Our Culture
A sweet-spot for sharing information, fostering creativity, and collaborative interaction.
Our open casual atmosphere supports sharing of information and allows for individual growth. The result is tight-knit team and more cohesive projects.
With offices in Grand Junction Colorado and Rapid City South Dakota, we have found communities that allow us to live the lifestyles we want in locations offering versatile professional opportunities. Both communities are highly sought after areas with diverse amenities and recreational opportunities.
Chamberlin Culture
A sweet-spot for sharing information, fostering creativity, and collaborative interaction.
Our open casual atmosphere supports sharing of information and allows for individual growth. The result is tight-knit team and more cohesive projects.
With offices in Grand Junction Colorado and Rapid City South Dakota, we have found communities that allow us to live the lifestyles we want in locations offering versatile professional opportunities. Both communities are highly sought after areas with diverse amenities and recreational opportunities.
Chamberlin History
Our award-winning designs a part of the local landscape.
Ed Chamberlin founded Chamberlin architects in 1979. We are an employee-owned firm with a focused, studio culture devoted to finding creative ways to achieve a project’s objectives.
Chamberlin Architects delivers design excellence and professional service typically associated with firms in larger urban areas. Together, our integrated team of architects and interior designers have brought to life some of the largest projects in our region as well as some of the smaller hidden gems of this community .Our work in Grand Junction includes schools, civic buildings, museums, custom homes, Theatres and Forestations, just to name a few.
We are a personable, service-oriented group with accessible principals who remain fully involved with a project from concept through construction.
Hubs of Creativity
Visitors to our Grand Junction downtown open studio are immediately drawn to our rustic brick walls, artfully designed custom desk configurations and refreshing open layout.
Having become a seminal part of our firm, the efforts to rehabilitate the historic main street building was a labor of love that ensured not only an inspiring studio culture but also the longevity of the revitalizing area.
The rehabilitated building was an architype of future work as we re-opened covered skylights, and removed walls bringing life and functionality. Later we added office space, a back deck, and a rooftop photovoltaic array.
Modern Flare: Rapid City Office
Rapid City office shares in the charm of a historic building with a recently renovated office space that holds a creative modern flare. A set of hard wood lined stairs leads Visitors to a second floor office with a honey comb pattern blended into the original oak wooden floors in a perfect meeting of classic and modern.
Rapid City office shares in the charm of a historic building with a recently renovated office space that holds a creative modern flare. A set of hard wood lined stairs leads Visitors to a second floor office with a honey comb pattern blended into the original oak wooden floors in a perfect meeting of classic and modern.
Grand Junction Down Office Ambience
We love where we live.
Rapid City:
Historical Destination | Thriving Downtown |
Black Hills Flare
The inspiring landscape and growing communities that make up the Black Hills are a fitting home for an architecture firm. A well-known destination means visitors and residents have a plethora of options for entertainment and culture all year round.
In the last 20 years, Rapid City has grown into the Capstone of Western South Dakota. It's easy to spend the day on the mountain trails or discover the history of the Black Hills. An ever-growing list of performing arts, farmers markets, family events and extensive city parks make Rapid City a perfect place for families young and old.
Grand Junction:
Outdoor Adventure | Vibrant Downtown | Tourist Mecca
Spend just a day with us and you'll hear about our favorite nearby coffee shops, bistros and brewery's, all within close walking distance. Not surprisingly, the Feisty Pint, a block a half away, was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and you can find yourself in the Trail Life Brewery for a Patagonia sandwich, by simply stepping out the front door and crossing the street. A journey of less than 100 steps. This area is so well liked, an energetic Friday after work crowd comes in to enjoy the night life of this vibrant neighborhood.
A fitting bookend to the weekend, Monday mornings are often used to share details of the trail rides, ski runs, hikes, rock climbing, paddle boarding and other weekend adventures before jumping into the company wide team meeting to discuss current and future projects in a casual setting.
Team Size
Communication
An Open communication style fosters creativity.
Our open office plan supports collaboration and the sharing of information. We have all-office meetings every week where each individual has an opportunity to talk about what they are working on, any concerns or questions they have and what help they need. In addition, suggestions and comments are welcomed by all. Individual project meetings take place casually as needed or within our conference rooms. Each person has access to everyone's calendar through outlook. We use teams and email as needed.
Our principles have a policy of approachability and camaraderie. Questions are welcome. There is an environment of safe create exploration of ideas. Learning opportunities don't pass by without being shared with the team. We can draw upon the staff’s wide variety of experience and areas of expertise to cross-check concepts and test ideas.
An open and lively work environment facilitates open communication and an easy friendly atmosphere. A downtown location in a convenient location close to numerous options for lunch etc, has the staff of each location participating in a friendly rivalry as to which office has the better location.
Chamberlin Architects has found the sweet-spot for sharing information, fostering creativity, and generating collaborative interaction.
Our open casual atmosphere supports sharing of information and allows for individual growth. The result is tight-knit team and more cohesive projects.
With offices in Grand Junction Colorado and Rapid City South Dakota, we have found communities that allow us to live the lifestyles we want in locations offering versatile professional opportunities. Both communities are highly sought after areas with diverse amenities and recreational opportunities.