Alumni Spotlight

Mike Blea is Co-owner of Raw Creative, a Colorado-based company specializing in creative architectural design and fabrication. As both a licensed architect and general contractor, Mike has become a prominent local leader in digital fabrication. 

Before launching his career, Mike was learning the ropes from his family on construction sites across the Denver metro area. As an undergraduate, he earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Certificate of Construction Management from Colorado State University. He later earned a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Colorado Denver.  

In 2014, Mike co-founded Raw Creative, which operates from the belief that everyday objects and spaces should provide extraordinary experiences. The company’s growing portfolio ranges from custom residential work to award-winning projects for the food and hospitality industry. Its distinctive work has been featured in numerous publications, including Modern in Denver, 5280 Home, and Eater Denver.

A member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Mike is regularly welcomed as a featured lecturer in the architectural and design community. He also teaches courses in architectural technology at the Community College of Denver. 

Blending years of hands-on supervision experience with a passion for crafting intentional spaces, Mike’s multi-disciplinary background continues to shape the unique design, build, and install capabilities of the Raw Creative studio.