About Us

Who We Are

Christopher West Interiors brings a licensed interior design professional with 25+ years of experience to your project or project team. Specializing in work space and community design, CWI uses current work trends including sustainable and active design principles to develop complete interior solutions.

Whether you are creating a new space or renovating an existing one CWI can develop a strategy to create a functional and cost-effective interior that reflects your company’s brand.

Meet Our Designer

Her Career

Susan is a licensed and certified interior design professional with extensive experience in workplace, community and government projects, specifically Embassy design. While at the Department of State, Susan participated in many competition review panels for Embassy work and post occupancy evaluations of completed projects.  Since leaving the government sector, Susan has served as co-chair for the IDEAs for IIDA and ASID local chapters for since 2003 and as chair for the local real estate organization’s (HRACRE) Design Development Excellence Awards. She is also a team member in many sustainable projects, including the first LEED certified Embassy compound in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her current initiatives include an expertise in Active Design; working with organizations interested in wellness programs.

1988-1997

US STATE DEPARMENT– Office of Foreign Buildings (OBO)  – Rosslyn, VA

Government office directing the worldwide overseas building program for the Department of State and theU.S. Government community serving abroad.

Senior Interior Designer/Interior Designer

  • Interior Design project manager responsible for overseas projects in 22 countries including new Embassy compounds, interior renovations, feasibility studies, post occupancy evaluations, and standards development.
  • Travelled extensively to overseas locations to meet with government clients, assess their needs, and assist them with their interior space needs.
  • Duties included programming, user need assessments, space planning, space studies, architectural review of drawings, development of budgets, scheduling of projects, contract development, furniture package development, procurement and implementation with in Federal Acquisitions guidelines, construction administration, furniture implementation oversight, and art package development and implementation.
  • Served on multiple review panels for Design/Bid/Build and Design/Build team selection.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • Masters in Business Administration, Old Dominion University
  • Bachelors of Fine Arts in Environmental Interior Design, East Carolina University
  • NCIDQ Certified
  • Virginia State Registration
  • Working on LEED Green Associate credentials
  • Working with the Center for Active Design on building certification/recognition
1997-2013

H&A ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS (Formerly CMSS Architects, PC)  – Virginia Beach, VA

Associate, Director of Interior Design 2010-2013

Director of Interior Design 2001-2010

Senior Interior Designer 1997-2001

  • Worked with managing partners to develop and manage the interior design department. Responsibilities included interviewing, hiring recommendations, mentoring, work load management, design review and direction, and annual review meetings and compensation recommendations.
  • Business development efforts including creating U.S. Department of State Embassy and security project opportunities. Developed client relationships and assisted in other marketing efforts. Developed scopes of work, fee structures, and content for marketing materials.
  • Worked with clients to develop project goals, establish scopes of work, create new work models, and manage client opportunities.
  • Responsible for concept development, space planning, programming, interior finish selection and schedules, specifications, detailing, construction administration, and preparing furniture packages including bid documents.
  • Provided guidance on interior design related issues for all LEED projects, including generation of innovation point ideas.
  • Designer and project manager on multiple corporate, government, hospitality, and multi-family residential projects.
  • Responsible for CMSS and H&A office facility management. Project manager for all renovation and tenant build-out work; worked with in-house staff to generate all design concepts and drawing documentation. Consolidated four offices into one location resulting in 70% reuse of all furniture.
  • During our busiest time we were designing three Embassy compounds at one time and I was responsible for managing all three interior design teams to complete the effort. Because of my expertise in Embassy design I was also providing space planning services for all three projects.
2013-Present

CHRISTOPHER WEST INTERIORS , LLC. – Virginia Beach, VA

Principal 2013-Present

  • Provide interior design and project management services for workplace, hospitality, and community design projects including government and non-profit businesses.
  • Work with creative funding sources and creating project opportunities for non-profit business to assist with their space and furniture needs.
  • Work with businesses interested in wellness initiatives and incorporate Active Design principles into their projects.
  • Work with two local organizations for their annual design competitions; Vice-Chair for the HRACRE Design Development Excellence Awards and Co-Chair for the IIDA/ASID IDEAs. Assist with all aspects of competition from competition planning, sponsorships, to event planning.
  • Speaking engagements on Active Design; audiences have included the US Department of State and ArchEx, an architectural convention in Richmond VA.

Our Partners