Christopher Janney was trained as an architect (Princeton University, B.A. Architecture - Visual Arts, 1973 - magna cum laude; M.I.T. - M.S. Environmental Art, 1978) and a jazz musician (private studies, 1963-1973, Dalcroze School, 1974-75). Believing that there was more to creating a dynamic urban environment than erecting buildings, Janney developed his own multi-media studio, PhenomenArts, Inc. in 1980. He has created numerous permanent interactive sound/light installations and performances attempting, on the one hand, to make architecture more "spontaneous" (Harmonic Runway, Miami Airport; REACH:NY, 34th St. subway, New York) and, on the other hand, to make music more physical (HeartBeat:mb with S. Rudner, M. Baryshnikov).

He has been awarded The Gyorgy Kepes Prize from MIT, "Sound Designer of the Year", by LDI/Theater Arts Magazine and the Edison Award from General Electric for innovation in design. His work has been profiled on CBS Sunday Morning, HGTV, Architectural Record, Metropolis Magazine, The New York Times and in a 30-minute award-winning documentary titled "Drum of Time."

Recently, Janney toured his “Sonic Forest” in both the US and Europe at major music festivals including The Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, TN, The Glastonbury Festival and “Hyde Park Calling” in London with Pink Floyd and The WHO. A book on his work, titled Architecture of the Air, was released in February, 2007 with the inauguration of “Rainbow Cove Green and Red,” two nine-story elevator/stair towers at Logan International Airport, Boston, MA together with an exhibition titled “Urban Musical Instruments” at The Center for Architecture in New York, NY.

With studios in Boston and London, he is currently working on projects in Ft. Worth, TX; Phoenix, AZ; Las Vegas, NV; Leeds, England and Zaragoza, Spain.

Believing also that architecture is about a manifestation of the "public spirit," Janney lectures widely on his work and been a Visiting Professor at both The Cooper Union School of Architecture and Pratt Institute School of Architecture where he has taught his seminar, "Sound as a Visual Medium."