CHRIS WAND

Chris merges his love for math, art, and building into a passion for architecture and historic preservation. He enjoys collaborating with clients to bring their visions to life while strengthening the community through design. When Chris is not designing, he’s a dedicated Cat Dad, Lego enthusiast, and frequent traveler to Universal Studios.

How did you decide on your career path?

While in school, I excelled in math, science, English, and art. I also loved building cities out of Legos. This made me consider a career in architecture, as it merged all my interests into one profession.

What is your favorite part of the design process?

My favorite part of the design process is discovering the client’s vision and bringing it to life through the creation of a building that reflects that vision. I find that successful projects are the result of a collaborative design process involving the client and project team.

How are you creating vibrant communities through design?

Historic preservation is more than just saving old buildings—it’s about maintaining a community’s identity and connecting the past with the present and future. I believe that well-preserved historic structures can serve as the foundation for revitalizing neighborhoods, encouraging economic growth, and fostering community pride. This passion drives me to approach each project with respect for its history, while also finding ways to adapt and repurpose spaces to meet modern needs.

As a current and past member of such non-profit boards as Dubuque Main Street, the Dubuque Museum of Art, and the Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission, I have the opportunity to contribute my design expertise, ensuring that the built environment continues to pay homage to the city’s past while promoting good design now and into the future.

What makes Dubuque a great place to live?

I was born and raised in Dubuque, and while my career took me away for a while, I’m so glad to be back ‘home.’ I spent a lot of my early career helping promote the Dubuque you see today so I am happy to be able to reap the benefits of those efforts now. Dubuque is big enough to offer a lot of quality amenities but still have a small-town feel where everyone has the ability to connect with their neighbors and community leaders.