Christopher McMahan Architect, Inc. provides planning and complete design services for higher education, non-profit organizations, and real estate development; focused on sustainable and innovative design.

1. Christopher McMahan is a principal design
architect for higher education, mission-driven
organizations, and real estate development
with over twenty years experience in New
England and New York City. Based in
Providence, his experience has ranged from
the planning and design of large-scale
commercial development sites to numerous
buildings for universities, religious, and arts
organizations.

2. NORTH TOWER
15 FLRS x 20 BEDS =
300 BEDS
168,000 SF.
+/- 560 SF. PER
STUDENT
SOUTH TOWER
13 FLRS x 28 BEDS =
364 BEDS
175,500 SF.
+/- 480 SF. PER
STUDENT
TOTAL BEDS:
664 BEDS
PARKING BASE:
350 CARS
2 LOBBY SPACES,
RETAIL SPACE,
BUILDING SERVICES:
24,000 SF.
Davol Square – Graduate Student Housing Study - Providence, RI

3. Davol Square Hi-Rise Residential - Providence, RI

4. This expansion project
developed new spaces
and reorganized existing
configurations to meet
the tremendous increase
in student enrollment.
Key components included
creating a distinctly
welcoming social
environment by providing
multiple places to gather
and interact, new
laboratory classrooms, a
centralized student-
services center and an
expanded childcare area,
for a 26,000 sf addition
and 18,000 sf of
renovated space in the
existing 1972 building.
A new east entry curtain
wall vestibule provides a
much-needed designated
front entry to the main
building and places the
entry path square on axis
with the main rotunda.
Community College of RI – Liston Campus Additions/Renovations – Providence, RI
For RGB as Lead Design Architect

5. This expansion project
developed new spaces
and reorganized existing
configurations to meet
the tremendous increase
in student enrollment.
Key components included
creating a distinctly
welcoming social
environment by providing
multiple places to gather
and interact, new
laboratory classrooms, a
centralized student-
services center and an
expanded childcare area,
for a 26,000 sf addition
and 18,000 sf of
renovated space in the
A two story addition creates new classrooms and labs and accommodates entry from the increased existing 1972 building.
parking field at the rear of the building.
Community College of RI – Liston Campus Additions/Renovations – Providence, RI*
* For RGB as Lead Design Architect

6. The program analysis
and design cut across the
curriculum of eight
departments and
reorganized the greater
part of six existing levels.
Key components include
a distinctive new "front
door" to the overall
complex for Student
Services, new distance-
learning class rooms, a
multimedia production
lab, Board Room,
computer classrooms,
and an interactive
presentation room to
97,000 sf of additions and 43,000 sf of renovations to the 1968 concrete mega-structure expanded increase interactivity in
the facility to meet current needs and standards. the building and between
satellite campuses.
Community College of Rhode Island – Knight Campus Additions + Alterations – Warwick, RI
For RGB as Lead Design Architect
* For RGB as Principal Architect

7. The Warwick Intermodal
Station located 1,000 feet
to the west of the
Sundlun Terminal is
connected over streets
and parking lots by an
elevated people mover,
which transitions at the
Arrival/Departure access
roads.
The Bridge construction
spans 140 feet as a
space frame system,
where the glazing
changes shape and
transparency to mark the
arrival axis. The west
tower support provides
egress and security
access to the short-term
parking. The tower near
the baggage claim area
provides escalators to the
bridge and on to the
people-mover connecting
train, bus and car rental
nodes.
TF Green Airport – Intermodal Bridge – Warwick, RI
* For RGB as Design Architect

8. This new 46,000 sf
facility for a Catholic co-
educational high school
expanded its science
program to provide
students with more
laboratory classrooms,
and created a larger
cafeteria. The site plan
was developed by
shaping the building
footprint as a transitional
form on a connecting
axis from the main
classroom building to the
playing fields and
parking areas.
A labyrinth inscribed in
the cross axis marks the
transition to Campus
Ministry and a new
chapel. Extensive value
engineering with the
Construction Manager
delivered the scope and
quality of the project
goals within the $8
million budget.
LaSalle Academy – Science and Student Services Center – Providence, RI
For RGB as Lead Design Architect

9. The new Providence
Courtyard by Marriott
high-rise hotel and
garage was built on the
former Union Station
railroad trestle pile caps,
designed to meet
Rhode Island's historic
preservation standards
and the design criteria
of the Capital Center
District Commission.
The nine story structure
responds to the urban
context to convey the
architectural character
of the adjacent historic
train terminal group
dating to 1894. A
complex series of
approvals and variances
were obtained during
the entitlement period,
which were directly
integrated in the design
process and value-
engineering.
Union Station Plaza – Hotel and Garage – Providence, RI
For RGB as Lead Design Architect

10. For RGB as Lead Design Architect

11. The campus context to
create a collegiate
"village" was completed
by adding a string of new
residence halls housing
192 students in 4-person
apartments opposite two
low-rise c. 1970 dorms.
Cohesiveness was
created in texture and
scale with an internal
landscaped court space
to gather a sense of
community and identity to
the complex.
Constituent brainstorming
sessions led to a design
that fits into a footprint
within wetlands and
zoning boundaries.
Precise design studies
produced four- and six-
person apartment plans
that address private and
public needs, creating
gathering spaces along
the connecting corridors
and bridges while also
meeting strict budget
limits on buildable area.
Fairfield University – Village Apartments – Fairfield, CT*
* For RGB as Design Architect

12. Fairfield University – Village Apartments – Fairfield, CT*
* For RGB as Principal Architect

13. Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception – Stockbridge, MA

14. The Rhode Island
Philharmonic and VMA
Arts & Cultural Center
proposed the creation of
a multifaceted
performance and music
education center.
The Center proposal
expands the attached
office building to house
classrooms, practice
rooms and rehearsal-
recital halls, a gallery,
small café, bookstore,
and event room.
A skywalk from the
Providence Place Mall
parking garage bridges
the street. The Veterans
Memorial Auditorium will
be renovated to include
new seats in the concert
hall, expanded state-of-
the-art dressing rooms,
loading facilities and new
climate control system.
The Center - Veterans Memorial Auditorium Master Plan - Providence, RI

15. Fairfield University – Village Apartments – Fairfield, CT*
The Center - Veterans Memorial Auditorium Master Plan - Providence, RI
* For RGB as Principal Architect

16. The new Residence
Halls for Providence
College required a
zoning variance for the
four bedroom apartment
style units to reconcile
the definition of
“apartment” as not
containing more than
three unrelated persons
in the dwelling unit – a
part of the ordinance
aimed at limiting over
crowded student
housing in residential
neighborhoods. In this
project, the 350 beds in
two separate buildings
were planned by the
College to bring more
upper class students
back onto the campus.
The edge of the East
campus is surround by
single and three-family
houses on small lots,
with abutters notified in
the process.
Providence College – New Residence Hall – Providence, RI
For RGB as Design Architect

17. For RGB as Lead Design Architect

18. This proposal for a
74,000 sf medical office
building with an attached
800 car open parking
structure is intended to
draw employees and
visitors closer to the main
hospital campus from
outlaying sites. The urban
lot is 200 feet x 500’ long
rising up 40 feet along
the side street, providing
multiple enter/exit points
to the six story garage.
The ground floor provides
14,000 sf for retail shops
and an address entry for
the offices. The main
access points for the
medical offices are
oriented to th parking,
and the advent of medical
office within easy access
and proximity to the
hospital is expected to
generate more trips to the
main facility.
Medical Office Building and Garage - Providence, RI

19. Marriott Providence Office Park - Providence, RI

20. The 6 story office
component consists of
30,000 sf plates over 3
stories of a 300 car
garage. Retail space
lines the perimeter at
grade with 24,000 gross
leasable area. The
project is subject to a
design review
commission for the land
area created when the
city relocated the train
station and moved two
rivers below the RI State
House. Hugh Hardy,
FAIA served as the
Design Architect.
Punched masonry
characterizes the street
side south and west
faces, while the river and
water basin faces are
treated in a reflective
glass pattern. Projected
project cost is $60 million.
Parcel 9 Capitol Center - Providence, RI
For RGB as Principal Architect

21. Design studies were
performed by CMA to
obtain a zoning change
from Neighborhood
Residential to Planned
Village District based on
a variety of housing
cluster types.
The site is designed to
accommodate 64
dwelling units with twenty
percent of the total to be
affordable units as
defined by the Town of
North Kingstown. The
community is
programmed for the +55
residential market based
on contemporary
standards. The historic
lodge on the site will be
maintained in its location
and renovated as a
clubhouse amenity for
community use in a
common open space.
Wickford Harbor Estates - North Kingstown, RI

22. Mixed Use Residential – Galilee, RI

23. The rehabilitation of
Rosedale Apartments,
c. 1939 Art Moderne
landmark property,
received an award from
the RI Historic
Preservation and
Heritage Commission in
2008 for an appropriate
restoration, renovation
and upgrades to building
and site
In principal, all materials
and surfaces were either
removed and replaced or
refinished. Any remaining
exposed existing
surfaces were stripped
and recoated. All building
systems were either
replaced entirely or
significantly upgraded to
current code for
Mechanical, Plumbing,
Electrical, Life Safety,
Building Envelope,
Windows and Interior
Finishes.
Rosedale Landing - Restoration – Cranston, RI*
* For RGB as Principal Architect

25. Christopher McMahan is a principal design
architect for higher education, mission-driven
organizations, and real estate development
with over twenty years experience in New
England and New York City. Based in
Providence, his experience has ranged from
the planning and design of large-scale
commercial development sites to numerous
buildings for universities, religious, and arts
organizations.