Business Details
15 Years
experience
Award-Winning Residential Architecture in Kansas City
Forward Design Architecture is a collaborative architectural practice founded in 2011 by architect Christopher Fein. Our firm specializes in residential architecture, focusing on new construction and the restoration of mid-century modern homes with contemporary updates. We prioritize creating designs that respond to the unique needs of each client, user, and location, leveraging our deep expertise in spatial organization, material selection, and lighting to craft immersive, memorable spaces. Our work has earned national recognition, including features in KC Spaces, Dwell, Architectural Digest, and Atomic Ranch.We maintain strong ties to architectural education through teaching roles and collaborations with universities, fostering innovation and research in both our practice and the next generation of architects. Our services extend beyond architectural design to include life safety surveys, building assessments, planning, interior design, and furniture design, ensuring comprehensive solutions for our clients.
Services
Residential Architecture
Home Renovations
Interior Design
Furniture Design
Building Assessments
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer 12+ years of expertise in residential and mid-century modern architecture.
- Our team includes educators and critics with academic ties to Yale and Kansas State University.
- We prioritize client-specific solutions through rigorous research and verification processes.
- Our work has been nationally published in Architectural Digest and Dwell.
- We integrate interior design, furniture design, and building assessments into our services.
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Services
Residential Architecture
We specialize in creating custom residential architecture that blends functionality with aesthetic innovation. Our approach focuses on spatial organization, material selection, and lighting to craft spaces that reflect clients' lifestyles. With expertise in both new construction and mid-century modern restoration, we deliver designs that enhance property value and user experience through research-driven methodologies.
Home Renovations
Our renovation services transform existing spaces to meet modern living needs while preserving architectural integrity. We guide clients through budget planning, design options, and cost assessments, offering solutions like kitchen islands or full-scale reimagination projects. Our portfolio includes award-winning transformations that balance practicality with innovative design principles.
Interior Design
We create cohesive interior environments that align with architectural vision and client preferences. Services include material selection, furniture design, and spatial reconfiguration to optimize functionality. Our team integrates interior solutions with structural elements, ensuring seamless transitions between built form and interior experience through collaborative design processes.
Furniture Design
Our furniture design practice extends architectural principles to object creation, focusing on craftsmanship and material innovation. We produce custom pieces that complement residential spaces while maintaining standalone aesthetic value. The service includes prototyping, material testing, and fabrication oversight, informed by our academic research in 20th-century modern design history.
Building Assessments
We conduct comprehensive evaluations of existing structures to inform renovation strategies and preservation efforts. Assessments include life safety surveys, material condition analysis, and code compliance reviews. Our expertise in historic preservation, particularly mid-century modern architecture, ensures accurate diagnoses of structural needs while maintaining design integrity during upgrades.
People
Christopher Fein
Founding Principal
Christopher Fein, AIA LEED AP, founded Forward Design Architecture in 2011 after 15+ years at Chicago firms Tigerman McCurry and Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge. He teaches at Kansas State University and Yale, focusing on modernist preservation and furniture design. His scholarly work includes a National Park Service grant for modern architecture surveys in Kansas.
Questions
What architectural styles do you specialize in?
We specialize in mid-century modern architecture with contemporary updates, while maintaining design flexibility for diverse residential styles.
Do you handle both design and construction oversight?
Yes, we provide full-service architecture including design development, documentation, and construction administration for residential projects.
Can you assist with historic preservation projects?
Our team has extensive experience in preserving mid-century modern architecture, including grant-funded surveys and adaptive reuse strategies.
Do you offer interior design services?
Yes, we provide integrated interior design services including space planning, material selection, and custom furniture design solutions.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Kansas City, we work on residential projects nationwide with experience navigating diverse building regulations.
Are virtual consultations available?
We offer virtual design consultations for clients outside the Kansas City area using digital collaboration tools.
