KIRSTEN CHILDS Obituary

CHILDS--Kirsten Anne, died of cancer at age 72 on January 13, 2016. Survived by spouse, Alexander Grinnell. She was born in Inverness, Scotland, and attended Edinburgh University. She began her career in London and was selected to collaborate with Skidmore Owings & Merrill in NYC. In 1971, Her marriage to Russell Childs kick started Armstrong Childs Associates. Her career as an interior designer flourished - culminating with Croxton Collaborative (1985-2015). She all but wrote the book on green design: Served on the US Green Building Council's LEED Steering Committee and chaired the Environmental Quality Technical Advisory Group for all LEED rating systems through 2004. Additionally, she was a founding member of LEED for Commercial Interiors, and received the 2010 ASID Designer of Distinction Award. Kirsten was a wonderful story teller, vivacious reader, bird lover, and operavore. She was a member of New York's Century Association and Waltz Society. She enjoyed travel with her dear friends and son, was a gleaming grandmother, and shall be remembered by her treasured family: Alex, Aaron, Natasha, Alexandra, Theodore, Delailah, Sebastian, Skye, and a plentitude of friends/colleagues Contact [email protected] for memorial service information. Send condolences to her son, Aaron Childs, 6 Old Mill Lane, Rose Valley PA 19063. Consider donations to the SPCA and the Audubon Society.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 24, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for KIRSTEN CHILDS

Sponsored by Family.

12 Entries

Marion

December 27, 2016

Hello Alex, While I knew that your mother was not well, I am nonetheless SO sad and shocked to learn about her passing. I was tremendously fond of her, her grace and elegance and respected her professionalism greatly. I am an art advisory and worked closely with her and Croxton on several projects. We also shared our love of culture and travels over lengthy lunches. Although belatedly, I send my sincere condolences to you and your entire family.

Kira Gould

February 12, 2016

This is sad loss to the sustainable design movement. I feel privileged to have known Kirsten, and especially to have spent a week learning to listen to nature with her in Costa Rica. What a gift. She was a passionate, committed designer who knew our species could do MUCH better.

Alex Wilson

February 12, 2016

How sad to have lost one of the unsung heroes of the green building movement. Few are aware of the impact she had on green building starting in the late-1980s. She was a champion.

vivian Loftness

February 10, 2016

Kirsten was one of the most amazing interior designers of hwalthy spaces anywhere in the world. She helped to set the stage for disclosure, for red lists, and for indoor environmental quality. Kirsten was a visionary for sustainability. She will be sorely missed.

Hillary Brown

February 10, 2016

A great loss to all those (multitudes, really) whose lives she enlightened through her work. We all held Kirsten in high esteem.

Rob Watson

February 10, 2016

Kirsten left a tremendous legacy of service and impact. It was a life well-lived.

Rachelle Schoessler Lynn

February 5, 2016

Kirsten was so inspirational to me throughout my interior design career. Her influence on me began in 1994 and has influenced my career mission to improve human health on every project. She gave so much to the profession - thank you all. You were blessed with an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. May she rest in peace.

Lauren Reiter

January 27, 2016

Kirsten was a brilliant, talented and wonderful human being with whom it was my honor to work alongside, for more than 20 years. There are so many thresholds she surpassed, so many boundaries she broke - that it might surprise those who did not know her personally how funny, kind and dear she was as well. There are many of us who already miss her terribly, both as an esteemed colleague and as a wonderful friend.

Richard Bascetta

January 27, 2016

Kirsten was one of the truly great people in our industry.
She embodied and manifested grace, elegance and deep kindness.

A luminous human being has left us and with that, the world has lost some light. I will miss her.

Kirsten

Joanna Underwood

January 25, 2016

I was saddened to hear of Kirsten Child's death. She was certainly one of the true pioneers of green design and one of its most enthusiastic and articulate advocates. Working with her for several years, as she designed new offices for the environmental organization I then lead, I was excited by her ideas for creating a light filled, non-toxic space, healthy for those who worked there, her imaginative materials reuse, and her sense of style. I valued her collegiality greatly as well. Kirsten was never a "self promoter" but was always fully engaged in her task of designing for a sustainable world. Like many others touched by her talent and friendship, I will miss her and want to express my sympathy to her family..

January 24, 2016

You have my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your beloved wife. May God lovingly comfort and support your family through this time of sorrow. (Psalm 145:14)

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