Kate Smith, AIA, NCARB, Principal
For the past 18 years, Kate has contributed to affordable housing and communities in Western Washington. Her open communication, breadth of project type experience, and collaboration in fully integrated design leads to highly successful developments for her clients. Kate brings experience with challenging sites, master planning/multi-building projects, integrated design, multiple funding sources, community engagement, and design-build.
Kate currently serves on the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle King County’s Board of Directors and recently completed a term as the Board President. She pushes for policy reform, increased funding opportunities, and supporting the collective strength of the affordable housing community. Supporting emerging leadership in the affordable housing development community, specifically those individuals from BIPOC communities, is a commitment Kate and others at SMR are dedicated to.
Relevant Projects
- Four Amigos, Beloved Community, Seattle
- Housing Hilltop, Tacoma
- Hillsdale Heights Master Plan, Tacoma
- Arlington Drive Youth Campus, Tacoma
- Plaza Roberto Maestas, Seattle
- Bertha Pitts Campbell Place, Seattle
- YWCA Family Village, Issaquah
- Aspen Terrace, Seattle
- Valhalla Court, Tacoma
- Plymouth on First Hill, Seattle
- Sylvia Odom’s Place, Seattle
- Pat Williams Apartments, Seattle
Registration
- Architect, Washington, 2009
Education
- Bachelor of Architecture, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Activities and Memberships
- American Institute of Architects, 2024 – present
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 2004 – present
- SMR NCARB AXP Mentor, 2012 – present
- Housing Development Consortium of Seattle | King County, Member of Board of Directors, 2020 – present; Board President, 2022 – 2025
- Docomomo WeWa Board Member/Treasurer, 2012 – present
- 10x10x10 Green Building Slam Presenter for Pat Williams Apartments, 2013
Honors and Awards
- AIA WA Civic Design Awards, Honorable Mention, Bertha Pitts Campbell Place, 2022
- Urban Land Institute’s Jack Kemp Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing; Arlington Drive Youth Campus, 2021
- AIA/HUD Secretary’s Alan J. Rothman Award for Housing Accessibility; Plymouth on First Hill, 2020
- AIA/HUD Secretary’s Award for Creating Community Connection; Plaza Roberto Maestas, 2017
- NAHB Best Architectural Design of a Multi-Family Building; YWCA Family Village Issaquah, 2013