Michael E. Smith FAIA Architect

06/01/2025

03/08/2023

It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of one of my early mentors, Sid Nesbit, AIA. Sid hired me in 1977, I worked with him till about 1979. Later, around 1983, he and I were partners for a couple of years. Fun, talented individual. He taught me so much about design and construction, and how to manage clients. RIP, friend.

11/24/2022

Stopped and took this picture on my way home last night of a 68 unit apartment I designed. Completed last August.

09/23/2022

Here are photos of a remodel I designed of a 1920 home. I've included one before photo for reference. My exterior design goals for homes like this is to be true to the original architecture. On the interior, however, my modernist aesthetic takes over!

08/29/2022

Here are some photos of District Brewing in Mount Vernon, WA. Originally a 1923 theater. I designed it a few years back but due to COVID could not photograph it until now.

09/14/2021

This is a picture of my own home. It was built in 1955, a classic Mid-Century Modern design. A local reporter is writing a story on the home for the annual Whatcom Historical Society magazine. A photography student at Western Washington University, Chloe Dichter, took this image for the reporter. I am stunned at how well this turned out. With a bright summer sky outside, it is very, very hard to photograph an interior. Chloe obviously had to put in some post-production time to get the exposure right, and I think she did an amazing job! What do you think? If you would like to contact Chloe for your own photography needs, let me know!

03/25/2021

And now for something completely different:

Work is already underway on the Ras Abu Aboud stadium in Doha, designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects for the controversial 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

12/24/2020

Happy Holidays, everyone! This is Case Study House #22 in Los Angeles. Peter Koenig, Architect. 1959.

05/21/2020

Finally! After 9 months of plan review (NINE MONTHS!) permits have been issued. Ready for occupancy summer of 2021.

05/06/2020

Here is a fun project! A good friend had me design a greenhouse lean-to against his house for a swim spa. Came out pretty nice, huh?

03/22/2020

All dressed up and nowhere to go! District Brewing is 99% complete, but because of the Coronavirus they can't open! Curbside service coming soon, I hope!

01/22/2020

Some updated pics of District Brewing in Mount Vernon. The first is from the entry looking through the dining room to the brewery beyond. The second is from where the glass wall between the brewery and dining room will be, looking back towards the entry. The building is a former movie theater dating back to the 1920's.