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The image shows a man with a genuine smile, short-cropped hair, wearing a white shirt and a dark overcoat. He stands with his hands comfortably in his pockets, against a backdrop of blurred blue-toned lights that suggest a modern, professional setting.

Christopher Townsend

He/Him/His

Job Title: Associate Principal, Studio Director - New Jersey

About

With over 25 years of experience in base-building and interior architecture, Chris brings a highly focused management style and a client-first approach. Since joining HLW, he has established himself as a trusted project leader across the commercial, retail, and research sectors, consistently delivering complex projects on schedule and within budget while maintaining the highest standards of design quality. His portfolio spans some of the state’s most prominent organizations, including Haleon, Eisai, Everest, and Kering Americas, as well as projects in New York for organizations such as Venable LLP. As a registered architect, he also brings extensive experience collaborating with commercial developers and has worked closely with Ed Shim on base building opportunities throughout the NJ marketplace. Chris is active in the local design industry, serving as a Board Trustee for the AIA Newark & Suburban Architects.

Projects

All Work
Modern office break room with natural wood tables, light gray flooring, and suspended linear LED lighting. A kitchenette with mosaic backsplash and high stools overlooks a cityscape through large windows. Employees casually engage, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

Aspen Insurance

Jersey City, NJ

Contemporary office break room with vibrant blue egg chairs, sleek white high-top tables, and people in casual conversation. Textured columns with purple accents complement the neutral-toned flooring and wooden slatted ceiling design.

Eisai

Nutley, NJ

Spacious lobby with high ceiling, illuminated by an angular modern chandelier. Central floating staircase with glass balustrades and wood accents. Comfortable seating areas feature a mix of red armchairs and gray sofas. Large windows allow natural light to complement the warm interior tones.

Everest

Warren, NJ

A modern office lobby featuring a recessed ceiling with wooden slats, marble stairs with glass railings, and seating areas with cityscape views.

Venable LLP

New York, NY

Modern robotics lab interior with exposed ceiling conduits, vibrant graffiti art wall, two standing individuals interacting with a quadruped robot, and a seated person at a desk in the background. Industrial-style workspace with creative, collaborative atmosphere.

Robotics Lab

New York, NY

Spacious, modern interior features tiered wooden seating with people casually scattered, engaging in discussions and work. Above, a white industrial ceiling with exposed ductwork contrasts starkly with the warm-toned flooring and matte black partitions, highlighting a contemporary, collaborative workspace design.

Kering Americas

Wayne, NJ