ABOUT CHRIS
Chris Knierim, managing director of Code Green, has achieved more than 25 years’ experience in the field of green building and sustainable design; earning a distinguished reputation for his outstanding contributions to the industry, as expressed through achievements in sustainable design and construction projects in both the commercial and residential sectors.
Born and raised on Sydney’s north shore, Chris is a third generation builder. After successfully completing his apprenticeship to become a licenced builder, he honed his craft in Sydney before introducing his considerable skills and talents to the international market.
Working in America and Europe, Chris expanded his considerable base of knowledge and skills to add a considerable flair for masterful creativity. His passion for ecologically sustainable design inspired and motivated Chris to study and practice internationally recognized techniques in this area; leading him to develop sustainability models adaptable to the environment and conditions of Australia.
Forest Lodge ECO House, a multi-award winning residential design/construct project achieved by Code Green, is internationally recognised for its unique residential landscape, sustainable infrastructure and innovative design practises.
The state-of-the-art techniques displayed in this model, refined for the Australian market, were featured on the Foxtel Lifestyle Channel’s Grand Designs Australia in November 2013. The house was also showcased on the 7 network’s Better Homes & Gardens program in June 2014. Chris’ work also has been spotlighted on television networks around the world.
Chris’ work has been widely recognised with a plethora of awards, honoring his design and construction of several commercial projects in New York, London, Marbella, Frankfurt and Sydney.
Working on a range of commercial and residential projects, Chris has gained a reputation for excellence based on versatility, cooperation and trust. Consistently exploring a wide range of options to devise the most viable and attainable strategy and solution for each new project, Chris invests each project with the impressive whole of his time, talents and dedication; delivering a final project that falls in line and in accordance with all stakeholder expectations and parameters.
Code Green provides consultancy, design and construction management services; particularly specialising in the creation of sustainable structures and cities. The company’s vision is to integrate green space into the existing landscape and urban environment; incorporating the grand principles of ecologically sound development to sit mindfully in sympathy with existing space and streetscapes.
In 2014 Chris joined the ranks of Australia’s most honored designers and builders, winning 13 design and construction awards. He has won many additional honors in the years ensuing, from competitions that include the Building Designers Association of Australia, the Missing Middle QLD Design Competition, the City of Sydney International Design Competition, and the HIA – GreenSmart Housing Industry Association competition. Chris is also the executive director of Building Designers Australia.
Chris has become an accomplished keynote speaker at industry events, and has worked with multi-tiered media channels to publicly promote his work.
AWARDS
International Design Awards (Milan, Italy)
Winner
Sustainable Projects & Green Design
Winner
Architecture, Building & Structure Design
Winner
Interior Space & Exhibition Design
Winner
Landscape Planning & Garden Design
Club & Bar Awards (LONDON)
Winner
“Red Rock” Best Small Bar (London)
Winner
Bar & Club Design – “Pangaea” Super Club (London)
Winner
Best New Club – “Pangaea” Super Club (London)
National awards
Housing Industry Association of Australia (HIA)
- Green Smart Australian Home of the Year
- National Green Smart Custom Built Home of the Year
- Green Smart Energy Efficiency Project of the Year
- Finalist – Residential Construction
- Finalist – Curry Residence
- Finalist – Turner Residence
Master Builders Australia (MBA) National Excellence in Construction Awards
- Project $500 – $1m
- Environmental Management
- Winner – National Construction Awards
- Winner – NSW Construction Awards
National Design Awards
Building Designers Australia (BDA)
- National Design Excellence Award for Project of the Year
- Australian Designer of the Year
- National Residential Sustainable Building of the Year
- National New Residential Buildings up to 250m2
- Winner – Residential Interiors
- National Finalist – Building Design
- National Finalist – Residential Interiors
- Commendation – Residential Building Design
Building Product News (BPN)
- Australian Sustainability New Dwelling
SPEAKER & INFLUENCER
Chris has been a keynote speaker at many high profile industry events such as the HIA home show, SEE Sustainable Environments.
His expertise is regularly sought for newspaper & magazine articles and as well as a feature writer for Houzz Australia, Chris is also an expert contributor for Grand Designs Australia Magazine.
Chris and his work have been featured on Grand Designs Australia on the Lifestyle channel as well as Channel 7s Better Homes & Gardens.
Grand Designs followed his journey of the design, construction and development of one of Sydney’s most awarded homes. The Forest Lodge Eco House was built on a tiny ……sqm block spanning only …..m.
The utilisation of natural light and airflow, insulation, rain water tanks and Chris’s signature green walls and roof created an inner city home virtually free from commercial energy requirements.
