#smithgroup

[bac-connex]

Long Lasting Buddies!

During a short, 5-day, externship to SmtihGroup I was fortunate enough to meet a group of peers who I will happily support in the future, as I know they will do the same for me. Our time together felt long-lived as our curiosity and appreciation for one another grew exponentially.

Based on my experience with this group of people I feel that I must push myself further, beyond what limits I once had. I will aim to become more involved in volunteer activities and community engagement through the Gateway Initiative. Here I will gain valuable experience in the field under the experience of design professionals to develope my technical and interpersonal skills/competencies.

[wadegriffith]

I'm proud to have photographed the new award-winning office of SmithGroup in Dallas, Texas.

The strategic relocation celebrates sustainable design and fosters flexibility in a hybrid work style. The space boasts biophilia, oversized graphics and reclaimed Texas post-oak wall paneling, along with individual focus and shared workspaces.

The new office design recently took home a Best In Show honor at the 2023 American Society of Interior Designers - ASID Celebrating Design Texas Awards for Commercial Corporate <15,000 SF. It is the latest in a series of SmithGroup offices nationwide currently reimagining the future of work.

© Wade Griffith Photography 2023

[bac-connex]

Supportive Buddies

Having cool PracticeConnEx buddies made this experience feel more welcoming and fun. It’s been really helpful to have a nice group of people to share the learning process with and feel less nervous in a new professional environment :)

This year, I’m committing to being a more supportive peer, checking in on others and being the kind of person who makes new spaces feel less intimidating. I’m ready to commit to this because I’ve felt how much a supportive environment can make a difference.

[bac-connex]

A Community-First Client

One project at SmithGroup that really inspired me was the Michigan State University Multicultural Center. It immediately reminded me of community-based projects back home in Brazil, mostly because of its monumental columns and strong sense of openness, and how it feels inviting, public, and meant for people.

The client was Michigan State University, and the project feels very people-centered, since it was designed as a multicultural resource space on campus. It shows how architecture can go beyond aesthetics, creating a sense of belonging.

[bac-connex]

An Ardent Mentor

At SmithGroup there seems to be an endless supply of passionate and enthusiastic team members, one in particular is Kim. Kim has been with SmithGroup for many years as a Construction Administrator, and she loves doing what she's doing. From our first encounter she was fired up, it was practically contagious! While sitting in on an RFI & Sumbittals, and later, an OAC meeting, Kim was multitasking educating us externs while keeping tabs on project updates. It was fascinating hearing and learning the behind-the-scenes of a project scope even if there was plenty of banter between colleagues, it was thanks to Kim that we were kept in the loop of the important stuff.

To be a mentor, I believe it requires tenacity and an endurance to keep the same level of passion throughout to be effective. Kim showed us these qualities plus much more during our time with her. She made sure to always keep us in mind, especially during the detail/technical work, and managed to keep it interesting and light. I also believe there is a requirement for all mentees to be proactive and ready to learn. There is valuable information everywhere to be found.

There was never a dull moment around Kim and I think that's what made our time with her so rewarding. I hope to get to meet more people like Kim and learn from them what they have experienced.

[bac-connex]

A Future-Driven Client

Client: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)

The Princeton Plasma Innovation Center (PPIC) designed by SmithGroup pushes the boundaries of a dynamic, high-performance facility.

The PPPL has been a national Laboratory since the 1950s where their primary goal has always been to advance the research and development of fusion as an energy source. PPPL has widened its focus and needed to replace two outdated buildings with a state-of-the-art hub that could drive new areas of scientific study.

Inside the PPIC are reimagined workspaces essential to advancing the mission of PPPL which acts as a compelling gateway to campus. This all-electric, zero-carbon-emissions facility is equipped with 23 adaptable small and medium-bay labs that can modified for evolving research needs. Using a geothermal exchange system for its heating and cooling, the PPIC extracts waste heat produced in the lab and stores it in 500-foot-deep wells to be used when necessary. The fascinating solar shading which is based on the Kelvin color temperature scale further reduce the building's energy load.

[bac-connex]

It looks like a place of community!

Intercultural competence is a vision of blurred lines where culture dissipates and what you are left with is a community of effective collaboration. At SmithGroup there is a large focus on workplace community and togetherness. Their communal living/work space, set up with variations of seating prioritizes engagement with anyone who occupies this space. In the image posted is an example of this happening: a lunch a learn for all staff members. Effective collaboration comes into play when there is a shared feeling of engagement and wanting to be there. SmithGroup does this wonderfully to achieve intercultural competence.

[bac-connex]

Workplace Fun

DAY 1 @ SmithGroup ✨

Today was all about learning how the firm works and getting to know the people behind it. We spent most of the day in meetings, but what stood out was how open and welcoming the environment felt. It was genuinely easy to ask questions and feel included.

One of my favorite moments was the meeting about Talent Acquisition. Ashley shared amazing advice on how to improve portfolios, resumes, and interview skills. Honestly the kind of guidance every architecture student needs more of.

Another highlight was meeting Leanne (a BAC M.Arch student) who recently started working at SmithGroup after completing the externship. She was so kind and gave us great tips and reassurance about the process, which made the whole experience feel even more exciting and real.

Liliana Spinelli