digraph _ n. A pair of letters representing a single speech sound, such as the ‘ch’ in architect or chiessa.

dígrafo_Signo ortografico compuesto de dos letras que representan un solo sonido, como la ‘ch’ en chamba o chiessa

Led by Dennis Antonio Chiessa, AIA, ch_studio is an architecture and design practice searching for authenticity through collaboration. 

Dennis is an architect, Assistant Professor of Architecture, and Graduate Architecture Program Director at The University of Texas at Arlington. Through creative practice, research, and teaching, he examines the reciprocal impact of design and communities.

Dennis’ work has been exhibited at The Amarillo Museum of Art, The Fort Worth Community Arts Center, The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and the Venezia Architecture Biennale.  His work received First Place in the Tandy Hills Pavilion Design Competition in Fort Worth and the Real Stories Design Competition, design Awards from AIA-Fort Worth, and Enlaces juried exhibitions in Dallas. Dennis received the Young Professional and the President’s Awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Fort Worth Chapter and the Associate of the Year award from the Texas Society of Architects.  Most recently, Dennis received the 2023 Architectural Educator Award from AIA Dallas and was selected to design the Fred Rouse Center for Community Arts and Healing.

Dennis’ contributions to research focus on understanding the impact of development on underrepresented communities. His projects include the UTA_CAPPA Water and Human Settlements Grant for ‘North of the Island’ to research the impact of development on the Latino community of Fort Worth, and the Research Enhancement Grant for ‘Housing the Working Class’ to study the housing types and their relationship to labor within Fort Worth’s Historic North Side. His commitment to diversity is further demonstrated by his Conference and Workshop Grant for the Advancement of Diversity for “Open City: Equity in Planning and Design for Neighborhoods Under Neglect.”  Dennis' dedication to understanding diverse communities extends beyond the US, as he received the 2021 Stewardson Keefe LeBrun Grant to study Mayan and Garifuna settlements in the Yucatán Peninsula and Central America.

Dennis serves on the boards of AIA Fort Worth, the Texas Society of Architects, Community Design Fort Worth, and Arts Fort Worth.