Research Expertise and Interest

architecture, urban design

Research Description

Christopher Calott, AIA, ULI, LF ‘12, is an award-winning architect, urban designer, academic and real estate developer. He is a principal at CALOTT + GIFFORD Architecture / Urban Design and a founding partner of the real estate development firm INFILL SOLUTIONS: Innovative Urban Design and Development. His two firms work together to create innovative regional urban typologies in mixed-use urban housing, dense infill developments, affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and vibrant public plazas in the Southwest, often working with urban Native American populations and traditional Hispanic communities in the region. 

His architectural firm, CALOTT + GIFFORD Architecture / Urban Design and his closely connected real estate development firm INFILL SOLUTIONS: Innovative Urban Design and Development have produced numerous projects which create urban design solutions and employ dense urban building typologies using modern forms in mixed-use urban infill developments, and affordable housing operating principally throughout the American Southwest.  He has also pursued significant research in the areas of urbanism, housing, and community-based design practices through published investigations tied to teaching appointments at numerous universities throughout the United States, Mexico, and Latin America. 

Fast Company magazine recognized CALOTT + GIFFORD’s award-winning design practice in 2011 as one of the “50 brilliant urbanites helping to build the cities of American’s future”.  By working as both the architect and developer his practice has challenged conventional zoning, financing strategies and modes of development.  His innovative work has introduced new mixed-use housing types, dense “infill” subdivisions, Transit-Oriented Development, Community Supported Agriculture, affordable housing, and vibrant public plazas, places and public art.  His commitment to design excellence has transformed non-profit affordable housing and publicly financed urban design projects, often working with urban Native American populations and traditional Hispanic communities in the Southwest.  Calott’s longstanding work and research on informal urbanization patterns and social justice issues at the US-Mexico Borderlands resulted in FRONTERA / BORDER:  7th Consurso Internacional ARQUINE, an international design Congress convened in Mexico City.

Chris received a Loeb Fellowship at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design in 2011-2012, where he spent the year in residence investigating affordable housing delivery mechanisms, urban design theories, Landscape Urbanism, and Green Infrastructure design strategies.  These topics coincide with the work he has pursued throughout his professional and academic career.