Chris Jarrett

Chris Jarrett is a Professor of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), where he also serves as Director of the Japan Summer Program and Co-Director of the designLAB. Previously, he held the role of Director of the School of Architecture from 2009 to 2019 and is currently President Emeritus of the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC). His academic career includes teaching positions at Georgia Tech, the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris La Villette, and the University of Southern California.

He holds a Master of Science in Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon. His research explores the intersection of environment and culture, with a focus on sustainable urban design, affordable housing, and resilient place-making. Notable projects include the 2007 Solar Decathlon Project for Georgia Tech (winner of BP Solar Award for Innovation) and the designLAB’s R.A.W. competition proposal for Charlotte’s Wilmore neighborhood.

Jarrett has secured over $1 million in grants from organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Education, and the Graham Foundation. His work has been exhibited globally, including at the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, and published in Architecture, Progressive Architecture, and international journals. Awards include recognition from AIA, ACSA, and international design competitions.

He leads study abroad programs in Tokyo, collaborating with institutions like SANAA, Fukuoka University, and Meiji University. His teaching emphasizes environmental theory, green tectonics, and interdisciplinary design-build projects.