COLIN McLAIN, AIA

Over 40 years assisting Clients with professional Architecture and Communication services in 

• Building Project Development
• Site Development
• Event Production
• Marketing
• Photography
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design

I am a Registered Architect in New Jersey and Texas with extensive experience in the Commercial and Residential market segments.  As the Project  Architect my responsibilities have covered all project phases.

• Programming
• Schematic & Design Development
• Construction Documentaion 
• Bidding and Negotiation
• Construction Administration
• Move-In/Start-up

Through my career I have served as both employee, and in private practice, as an independent consultant for numerous organizations.

• Bechtel Corporation
• BrewerEscalante
• Compaq Computer Corporation
• Core Laboratories
• David D Foster AIA
• ExxonMobil
• Houston Independent School District 
• Mustang CAT
• Nextel Corporation
• Regions Bank
• The Underwood Group
• The Tasting Rooms
• Univeral Music Corporation
• Wimberley Independent School District

From a community perspective I am currently a member of the Franklin Township Historical Committee in Gloucester County, NJ.  

I have served as President as well as a member of the Architectural Review Committee for the Ella Lee Forest Homeowners Association in Houston, Texas.  

I was also fortunate to participate in the Spark Park Program, a joint venture between the City of Houston and the Houston Independent School District for the development of community playgrounds.  I provided pro bono Architectural Services in the development of a Handicap Accessible Playground.  This project was graciously recognized with the Mayor's Honorable Mention Award for that year. 

The benefits of my diversified experience enables me to offer a broad range of creative and technical services to a wide selection of clientele.

For the Building Industry I can assist Owners, Developers, Engineers, Contractors and even other Architects with: 

• Due Diligence 
• Feasibility Studies
• Code Analysis 
• ADA Compliance Assessment 
• Field Verification and Documentation 
• Design and Drafting 
• Construction Administration 
• Relocation Coordination 
• Marketing Photography 

For Business Owners seeking assistance with Communications and Marketing development I can provide: 

• Graphic Design 
• Photography 
• Media Presentations
• Deliverables
• Event Planning 
• Trade Show Exhibit  Design
• Product Announcements 
• Press Conferences

I utilize many different mediums in the delivery of my services, such as Computer Aided Drafting, Computer Graphics, Hand Drawing in graphite, ink and color markers as well as digital Photography. With the diversity of project types and needs I find working in a single medium is rather restrictive to the artistic process. Each project necessitates  it’s own unique style based on the individual needs.

In addition to the Visual Arts I am also a musician who plays guitar, keyboards and bass guitar along with vocals performing with my own band, The McLain Conspiracy.  I enjoy composing and recording my own music. I've found that the creative process I studied in Architecture School is rather seamlessly transferable to my musical endeavors.

For inspiration and relaxation I enjoy being in diverse natural settings. From strolling along a beach to hiking in the woods or exploring our western desert plains. Anywhere that allows me to be in touch with and draw inspiration from nature. I strive to find solutions for my Clients that connects them to nature whenever possible.

I've had the priveledge and pleasure of participating in a diverse collection of industries and project types throughout my career including the Commercial and Residential Building markets as well as the Communications, Marketing, Technology and Entertainment industries.  

Building industry project types have covered:

• Commercial Offices
• Manufacturing
• Industrial Laboratories
• Self-Storage Warehouse
• Formal and Quick-Serve Restaurants
• Wine and Juice Bars
• Retail Services
• Multi-Site Roll-Out Gas Station Programs
• Automotive Service facilities
• Cellular Phone Land & Tower Sites
• Corporate Office Interiors
• Financial (Lobbies, Drive-Thru, ATM)
• Educational (K-3rd Grades)
• Recreational (Gyms, Studios)
• Medical and Dental Offices
• Personal Services (Salons)
• Auditoriums
• Conference Centers
• Training Rooms
• Churches
• Residential Remodeling  
• New Custom Homes

In the Marketing and Communications fields I have coordinated, managed and directed major events for Fortune 100 companies in the USA and Europe for:

• Product Announcements
• Press Conferences
• Trade Shows
• International Sales Meetings
• Company Meetings
• Corporate Anniversary Events

These events, for both public and company internal audiences of up to 3,000 people, consisted of the development, coordination and management of:

• Program Message and Concept 
• Site Investigation and Selection
• Set Design
• Seating Configurations
• Staging Systems Design:
  • Audio
  • Video
  • Lighting
  • Special Effects
• Scene Blocking and Rehearsals
• Directing crews during performances