Callan Childs is an assistant professor in the Department of Architecture & Interior Design at Samford University and joined the Samford faculty in 2022.  A native of Birmingham and alumna of Indian Springs High School, she is a licensed architect and has over 30 years’ experience as a professional in Architecture, Urban Planning and Interior Design.  Her primary teaching focus is on urban planning and design, adaptive re-use, historic preservation, building systems and community-based participatory planning.

Callan studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis and obtained her Master of Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture.  While in Los Angeles, she worked for Kelly Wearstler Interior Design before moving to Boulder, CO and working as an urban planner and Director of Interiors at Barrett Studio Architects.  

Since moving back to Birmingham in 2012, Callan has been involved in numerous city and private initiatives contributing to the redevelopment and transformation of the downtown landscape.  While serving as Director of Design and Development for Sloss Real Estate, she was awarded the Birmingham Business Journal 2019 Women to Watch award, and her projects received multiple design awards and recognition.

Childs is a board member of Design Alabama, the vice-chair of the City of Homewood Board of Zoning Adjustments, board member of ACE Mentor Program of Alabama, member of the AIA Alabama Advocacy Committee, and member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and American Institute of Architects (AIA).