Charles Swanson

Bio

Charles (Chuck) Swanson has worked in the design and construction industry for most of his career, and has extensive experience with LEED building design. He is a licensed General Contractor in both the City and County of Denver as well as in Arvada /Jefferson County. He has worked with architectural and construction firms and offers a complete understanding of the Design-Build method.

Education

Chuck earned his B.A. from the University of Vermont in Burlington where he studied architecture and design. Subsequently, he started working with architects in Cleveland, where he attended Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and earned a degree in Operations Management.

Professional Background

After working with The Austin Company, the pioneer/leader in the delivery of design-build services, Chuck went on to work for several other Fortune 500 companies. Aegis Metal Framing, a division of Berkshire Hathaway offered Chuck the ability to provide AIA-accredited presentations to the Western United States. Butler Manufacturing, a division of Blue Scope Steel, provided Chuck with a national territory, marketing and selling services in nearly every strategic industry requiring design and construction services. Currently with DD Construction, he sells design and construction services to a variety of industries and clients. Chuck’s philosophy of design is that of “form follows function” and he has a love for architecture, its complexity and beauty.

Teaching Philosophy

Chuck brings real-life experience and challenges to the Environmental Policy & Management program by offering LEED expertise in the design and construction process. Students will be involved in choosing a role, collaborating with others, and performing a “Charette” exercise that produces a design with LEED features. Chuck guides the students through a complex process, with a clear deliverable. It’s this reward and satisfaction that Chuck enjoys seeing the students complete.