Chris Jones, Principal

Chris founded Christopher Jones Architects 2017, with the goal of providing thoughtful design and responsive service to residential and commercial development clients across the United States.  He was previously a principal with Nicholson Kovalchick Architects, leading their townhouse studio and ultimately managing operations for the firm.

Chris grew up in Little Rock and studied architecture at the University of Arkansas and in Rome, before finding his home in West Seattle. Working as a teen with his father to remodel houses as well as summer construction jobs during college gave him a greater understanding of real world light-frame construction (and blisters).  He has put that knowledge to use designing hundreds of homes, resulting in projects that are delightful to experience, practical to build, and durable to own. When not designing, Chris and his husband Andrew are raising their daughter Keira and perpetually working on their craftsman bungalow.  Active in the community, he has served on the board for Seattle Pride and as a foster parent, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Master Builder’s Association, the Greater Seattle Business Association, and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

Lance Oyler, Principal

Lance came to Christopher Jones Architects in 2017 after running his own firm specializing in additions and remodels of single family residences and tenant improvements. He brings over 15 years architectural experience and a passion for design and construction to the firm.

As a child growing up in southeastern Idaho, Lance found a box of architectural plans for modest single-family residences in a basement.  The drawings held a deep fascination for him and he spent many an evening trying to draft his own plans for fun. This led him to study architecture at the University of Idaho and in study abroad programs in Finland and Rome.  During college, he spent his summers working in construction, an experience that started a lasting fascination with building detailing and construction methods that continue to serve him as an architect.

In his spare time, lance likes to work in his woodshop, play his guitar, cycle, remodel his lovely Tukwila home, and talk about himself in the third person..

Kaitlin Vining, Project Manager

Kaitlin discovered her passion for design after working a summer for a local architect. She went on to graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Construction Management. While in college she took advantage of the many study abroad programs and spent time in Copenhagen, Rome, and Prague. Since then, she has brought her focus on smart and responsible design to a variety of residential and commercial projects. In 2016 she made the jump from sunny Los Angeles to the PNW.

When not solving design problems, she and her husband Josef enjoy the many outdoor activities of Seattle as well as frequent trips to visit family, friends, and Disneyland..

Talyn Kaskel, Project Manager

Talyn’s love of architecture was proven early in life. While most children were playing Sims in order to create the different characters and their families, Talyn focused on designing and building the residential properties the Sims’ families would move into. By the time she reached her junior year in high school, Talyn had her first architecture internship where she was responsible for the cutting and creation of the firms' 3D architectural models used for client presentation and planning meetings. Talyn continued to study architecture at the University of Illinois and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and a minor in Urban Planning. Before coming to us, Talyn worked at a design-build firm which further fostered her love for residential architecture and design. Having recently received her LEED Green Associate, she is excited to implement what she has learned through sustainable building practices. When it comes to architectural projects, Talyn strives to create a relationship between nature and the space, shapes, and structures surrounding our everyday lives in ways which make the ordinary, extraordinary. 

Since moving to Seattle from Chicago, Talyn has enjoyed spending her free hours exploring Washington’s scenery while hiking and camping with her dog Roux. On nice days you can find them paddle boarding or picnicking at Green Lake. 

Alex Wright, Project Architect

Alex Wright grew up in Lakewood, WA. He grew up exploring the mountainous trails of the Pacific Northwest. The beauty of the local parks taught him the importance of sustaining our natural environment (in the woods or in the city) for future generations. As a child, Alex found interest in bridges and buildings that could create connections physically, culturally, or historically to new places. He loved to draw these moments he found when exploring the outdoors.

Alex studied architecture at the University of Virginia. In architecture school, his passion for the built environment blossomed to new heights. Alex realized the importance of shaping space to create special moments for working, playing, dwelling, and living. Architects help facilitate the design process to create, shape, and support the various modes of experiencing life. Along the way, he discovered an enthusiasm for the process and philosophy of design thinking. Design thinking is a way of problem solving using the creative process of iteration, analytical research, cross-sector collaboration, and thinking outside the box. He approaches projects with an interdisciplinary, research-based workflow, analyzing aspects of the design through the lenses of history, culture, sustainability, empathy, and radical joy. It is his dream to provide beautiful design expertise to the people and businesses that need it most.

After graduating with an undergraduate degree in architecture, Alex and his Brazilian wife, Marina, moved back to the west coast, settling in Seattle. When not working in the office, you can find Alex drawing in his sketchbook, creating digital collages and animations, painting, exploring the outdoors, traveling to new vistas, or learning skills like speaking Portuguese.

Regina Lange, Project Architect

Biography coming soon.