About Us

Established in 1984 and located on Scenic Highway 30A in Southern Walton County, Florida, Christ & Associates Architects & Planners has been shaping the architectural landscape of the Emerald Coast for over four decades. Nestled near the renowned beachside communities of Seaside, Grayton Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Alys Beach, the firm has become synonymous with timeless design and visionary planning.

Led by Principal Architect Thomas Christ, the firm brings a legacy of innovation and craftsmanship. Mr. Christ moved to the area in 1984 after collaborating with esteemed architects Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk at DPZ, where he contributed to the groundbreaking new urbanist designs of Seaside, Florida. Recognized as Seaside's most prolific designer, Mr. Christ has designed over 90 homes and structures within the community. His dedication to excellence earned him the prestigious Seaside Prize in 2019, honoring his significant contributions to this world-renowned town.

Beyond Seaside, Christ & Associates has left its design imprint on iconic neighborhoods such as WaterColor, WaterSound, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach, as well as the exclusive enclave of The Retreat. The firm’s portfolio of designs also extends beyond Florida, with elegant residential designs in cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, Miami, Nashville, and New Orleans.

The firm's expertise isn't limited to residential architecture. Christ & Associates has designed commercial spaces ranging from restaurants to office parks and has provided masterful land planning services for developers seeking visionary solutions.

With national acclaim, the firm’s work has been featured in numerous leading design publications and has been recognized with prestigious awards. Mr. Christ’s designs have been showcased by the Smithsonian Museum, and his seminal contributions to Seaside are permanently archived in the University of Notre Dame’s Seaside Research Portal.

Christ & Associates remains committed to shaping spaces that blend artistry, functionality, and a profound sense of place.

Media

TELEVISION:

HGTV America (Homes Across America)
-Fried Residence, February 2002
-Kerr Residence, November 2001
-Planz Residence, November 2001
-Renfroe Residence, December 2001

HGTV Canada (Homes Across America)
-Greer Residence, October 2001

PERIODICALS:

Arbitare (Italy)
Summer 1989

Architecture (London, England)
1987

Architectural Design
April, 1984

Architectural Record
April, 1984
January 1990

The Atlantic Monthly
March, 1988

Better Homes and Garden
Spring, 1990
Winter, 1992

Florida Home and Garden
March, 1991

House Beautiful
May, 1986
October, 1995

Smithsonian Magazine
January, 1991

Southern Accents
July, 1999
June, 2001

Veranda
December, 1999
July, 2001

BOOKS:

30A Style
Eleanor Lynn Nesmith, 2011
Design 360

Dream Homes Florida
Panache Partners, LLC (editor), 2007

Seaside
Steven Brooks, 1995
Pelican Press

Seaside: Making a Town in America
David Mahoney, 1991
Princeton Architectural Press