Chris Small

My name is Chris Small, and I have lived in the beauty of Central Oregon since 1992. Graduating from Sisters High I was met with the majesty of the Cascades on a daily basis and developed a love for the beauty of this region.  I am a creative person who has spent my life around art and making of all sorts- from furniture creation, to painting, sculpture. I enjoy the translation of ideas to physical form.  I also enjoy playing the guitar, telling Dad jokes and laughing with my family.  I love spending time outdoors, hiking and fishing and with my lovely family. My wife of 20 years, who is my best friend, and I are raising 2 amazing children who are the center of our existence.

I attended the University of Oregon, obtaining a Bachelor of Architecture in 2008 and was fortunate to earn experience in architecture firms prior to starting with Pahlisch Homes in 2013. My skills lie in spatial reasoning, programming and structural development.

Prior to embarking upon a design career, I worked primarily in reforestation and forestry operations with the USFS, while simultaneously keeping a foot in the artistic world through painting, furniture design and assisting with sculptures / casting bronze.  In reforestation I was blessed to work with an amazing crew of friends, spending 13 seasons fighting fire, planting trees, climbing trees, collecting seeds for reforestation, preforming habitat restoration and genetic preservation projects, as well as designating and removing hazard trees.  This unique experience allowed me the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature from southern California through Washington, and provided an understanding of the dynamics of wood, its cultivation, processing and renewability.

I was also blessed with the opportunity to assist my father, who was an artist that operated an artisanal bronze foundry.  I was fortunate to learn in this operation seasonally, eventually running the foundry full time during his passing from cancer in early 2013.  From this I learned the value of perseverance, positivity, problem solving as well as the joy of creation.

After my time with the Forest Service and the passing of my father I was dubious that I would find any work relationships to match the positive family atmosphere to which I was accustomed.  I was blessed, and frankly surprised, that the emphasis on team and family at Pahlisch Homes was not only genuine but also permeated the company. Through the last 12 years I have grown with the Pahlisch brand and now find myself in the most amazing place – surrounded by supportive problem solvers, makers who take pride in the process of creation and ownership of their role.  While it is a high bar, I can say that this is the best team I have ever worked with.