5 questions with Chris Gerrity

Amy Lynch, Star correspondent 7:02 a.m. EST January 3, 2015

Chris Gerrity, an architect with Schmidt Associates, was named the American Institute of Architects Indianas 2014 Young Architect of the Year.(Photo: Amy Lynch/For The Star)

Chris Gerrity isnt just designing structures, hes building relationships.

The American Institute of Architects Indianas 2014 Young Architect of the Year has found a home at Schmidt Associates, where he designs buildings with an aim toward improving local communities.

Case in point, Gerrity has spent the past several years working with Indianapolis Public Schools, leading the project management team for a $700 million capital improvement plan, pursuing LEED certifications for a number of schools and developing online training modules to educate teachers about their new energy-efficient buildings.

Gerrity discovered a love of building early in his own school days.

When I was in third grade, our class project was for each student to build a house out of plastic straws, he said. It was my first memory of learning how I could use simple materials to create an interesting space. I was amazed at how everyone had a different idea about how a house would look, even though we were all using the same materials.

A Chicago native, Gerrity knew he wanted to focus his job search in Indianapolis after graduating from college.

I had met a lot of people in Indianapolis and liked the city, he said. Schmidt Associates was a good fit for me because of its culture and design philosophy. I like that the work we do here is community-based. I also like that there isnt just one design style. Every project we do looks different, because every client is different.

Additionally, Gerrity finds time to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and to mentor young people who are interested in architecture.

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5 questions with Chris Gerrity