Archives West Finding Aid

The firm Brixen & Christopher Architects was co-founded by James "Jim" Christopher and Martin Brixen in 1963. The two met while teaching at the University of Utah. Services provided by the firm included building additions/alterations, architecture, building analysis and forensic work, design, interior architecture, master planning, planning, programming, site analysis, space planning, specifications, and urban design. The main focus of their projects included work on colleges and universities, communication facilities, laboratories, libraries, mixed-use facilities, offices, parking structures, religious facilities, and warehouses. The firm's first major commission were the original buildings at Snowbird. Over the years, they've done many award-winning architecture projects as well as successful historic preservation projects. In 1987, Brixen & Christopher was named the architectural firm of the year by the Western Mountain Region of the American Institute of Architects. The firm was also honored by an exhibition of its work over the years by the University of Utah, Graduate School of Architecture in 1989. Other prominent projects include the Rowland Hall-St. Mark's Lower Campus; 13-story office building and parking structure at Second South and State Street in Salt Lake City; St. James Episcopal Church; Congregation Kol Ami synagogue; Nunemaker Place at Westminster College; Sprague Library; and Red Butte Gardens and Arboretum's visitor center. The firm closed its doors in 2015.

James Walker Christopher was born in Philadelphia on November 5, 1930, and spent his early life in Audubon, New Jersey. Jim received a bachelor's degree in architecture from Rice University in Houston, and a master's degree in architecture from MIT where he trained under master architect Louis Kahn. Recruited by Dean Roger Bailey, James came to Utah in 1956 to teach at the University of Utah for nine years. As co-founder of Brixen & Christopher, his projects have received numerous regional and national design awards. James was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) in 1981, was a member and chairman of the RUDAT National Task Group, and also a trustee of the Utah Heritage Foundation between 2004 and 2012. For his preservation work, the foundation recently awarded Christopher with the Lucybeth Rampton Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2010, the Utah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects also honored Christopher with a lifetime achievement award.

Martin Gerald Brixen was born in Salt Lake City on February 14, 1927 and he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Martin graduated from the University of Utah in 1952, as a member of the first graduating class in architecture, with bachelor's degrees in fine arts and architecture. After working with various architects, returned to the University of Utah in 1956 to organize and direct the Department of Campus Planning and Construction, which developed the campus master plan. In 1963, Martin resigned as director of Planning and Construction and co-founded the firm of Brixen & Christopher Architects with James W. Christopher. Martin was named to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 1985. He served as a partner of the firm for 25 years until his retirement in 1989.