OUR TEAM

headshot of Christopher Manzo

Christopher Manzo, AIA is a dynamic and facilitative leader with a deep passion for design excellence, sustainability, drawing and mentoring. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and his Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon.

Currently, as principal of SNDBX Design Collaborative in Louisville, Kentucky, Manzo continues to develop projects of all scales, fostering a collaborative environment that champions innovation and sustainability. He is especially passionate about adaptive reuse of historical buildings and working with nonprofits to better align their functional space with their mission, enabling them to more effectively carry out their work.

His built projects range from a school on a river barge to the “Classroom of the Future” at the University of Louisville, from an award-winning VIP Lounge and Lanes at Kingpin Lanes Bowling Alley to an emergency men’s shelter for St. Vincent de Paul in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Louisville Comedy Club to the adaptive reuse of an historic A&P Bakery into a modern community work and event space.

With over 25 years of experience as both an academic and practitioner, Manzo has taught at esteemed institutions including the Sam Fox School of Design at Washington University, Kansas State’s IAPD, the University of Kentucky’s College of Design and the University of Louisville.

Manzo’s research interests are diverse, encompassing 3D spatial documentation derived from Renaissance painting, the effectiveness of rubric evaluations in enhancing design studio outcomes and the role of building culture with students through hands-on, full-scale projects. Notably, Manzo was the designer for the LEED Gold Emerson Laboratory in Columbus, Ohio.

What is SNDBX?

When I was a kid, we had a huge sandbox that I played in with my friend, Mark, for countless hours. When you think about it, a sandbox provides the bare minimum structure for the creation of unlimited imagination. That’s the environment I wanted to create when I launched my architectural firm, SNDBX – one where collaboration breeds innovative solutions for clients.

In embracing a this “serious play” mindset – where a collaborative environment of free thinking and experimentation is fostered – we achieve transformative solutions alongside our clients.

If you know all the answers at the beginning, are you really asking the right questions?

Awards

  • Kingpin Lanes VIP Lounge and Lanes  – Best Modernized Boutique/FEC/Hybrid Venue, U.S. Division, BCM Bowling Center Architecture & Design Awards (2024)

  • L&F Office Renovation – Entry Only (2020)*

  • Jim Bean Operations Entry Exhibition – (2019)*

  • Shawnee Outdoor Learning Center*

  • Muhammad Ali Bus Shelter*

  • Treeded Place of Play (2011) – Mo. Bot. – USGBC Award

  • T. House (2010) – Missouri HTC Award

  • Emerson Network Power – Liebert Learning Center – LEED Gold

*Denotes award won while working at Luckett & Farley.

Our Work