Michael Christoff, Associate AIA, LEED AP
Designer, FORUM Architectural Services

I am a designer at FORUM Architectural Services in Downtown Cleveland. Currently, I am working on the $270 million first phase of the Flats East Bank project; a mixed use development that will include a new office tower, hotel, retail, restaurants, entertainment venues, and 14 acres of parks and green-space. When I am not in my office at FORUM Architectural Services, I am immersed in a variety of other plans to leverage Cleveland’s urban assets and creative efforts into visible and tangible results. My architectural education and professional concern afford me an insightful perspective of social responsibility and environmental accountability, while my philanthropic and civic involvement offers him a practical perspective of how public policy shapes the quality of life of a community. 

I moved to Cleveland after college recognizing no other city in the country affords young professionals such a direct conduit to influence positive change. To that end, I am one of the founding partners for the annual Cleveland Design Competition, a forum to draw international attention to Cleveland’s urban assets as well as its unique design challenges. Michael also co-organizes PechaKucha Night Cleveland, an event that gives designers from a variety of design disciplines an opportunity to show and discuss their work in a series of four hundred second long presentations.

I have a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design and a Bachelor’s degree of Arts and Science in Architecture also from Kent State University. I often return to Kent State to serve as a guest juror for design studios as well as speaking at a number of marketing related classes and panel discussions. 

 Education

 Master of Architecture, Kent State University College of Architectural and Environmental Design

Bachelor of Arts and Science in Architecture, Kent State University School of Architecture

Selected Involvement:

• Cleveland Design Competition, Co-founder (Ongoing)
• Project 2007 – Irishtown Bend (2007)
• Project 2008 – interPLAY (2008)
• Project 2009 – Lakefront Station (2009, Ongoing)
  • PechaKucha Night Cleveland, Co-organizer (Ongoing)
  • Four Events Per Year
    • American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Chapter, Board Member (2007-08)
    • Neighborhood Leadership Development Program – Mandel Foundation (Graduate – 2007/08)
    • Pop Up City – Leap Night (Assisted in Organizing, 2008)
    • Allegro-The Junior Committee for the Cleveland Orchestra (2006/07)
    • Muscular Dystrophy Association – Lock-Up Fundraiser (2008)
    • Furniture 4 Kids – Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital Fundraiser (2008)
    • Look Up to Cleveland – Civic Vision Program (Participant & Guest Juror)
    • Gingerbread House Competition, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital Fundraiser (2008)
    • Playhouse Design Fundraiser – March of Dimes (2007)
    • IdeaBox Cleveland – Founding Member (Ongoing)
    • Color the State – Voter Awareness Reception (2006)
    • Guardians of Traffic – Lighting the Guardians (ongoing)