Forty Under 40: Chris Baribeau

Chris Baribeau says he doesn’t just design buildings. He makes places. The principal architect and co-founder of Modus Studio sure isn’t kidding.

His firm is at the vanguard of the boom in student housing in Fayetteville. Between what’s already been completed and what’s in progress, Modus has served as principal or design architect on seven large-scale apartment complexes that are transforming the landscape around the University of Arkansas.

“A really important part of being an architect is community building,” he said.

A disciple of famed architect Marlon Blackwell, Kentucky-born Baribeau emerged from the UA Fay Jones School of Architecture in 2003 and co-founded Modus with Josh Siebert in 2008.

A big contract with the Green Forest School District, where Modus has been active for years, taught Baribeau and Siebert a lot about what they wanted the firm to represent.

“When we got into it we realized how important the structures are that shape children’s lives,” he said. “There was a lot of room for improvement there.”

While the firm has an impressive portfolio in terms of multifamily and educational facilities, Modus also designs single-family homes, office buildings and restaurants.

Baribeau said the scenery might change for him at some point in the future.

“I hope to still be doing what I’m doing here in Fayetteville, but do it nationally and internationally,” he said.