Smyth & Field

05/29/2026

Quick video of "The Reds Clubhouse". Check out more under Photos. ^ to see how we did it.

Cincinnati PreservationNeighborhood Preservation in ActionEric ...

05/26/2026

Progress despite the rain, we're getting there...
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05/06/2026

Building a new 3 story house on an old foundation keeps us on our toes! Each joist's a puzzle piece, all different. Each one needs trimmed. Floor's perfectly level now, foundation... not so much...🧐
Progress despite the rain. 🚧💪🏽🔨🪚🚧
More to come soon!

04/28/2026

Lumber has arrived, time to build a 3 story house...

04/14/2026

As part of a full-scale renovation, we're adding a second floor addition to this historic home in Clifton's- Gaslight district, upgrading its plumbing, electric, and HVAC systems, and thoughtfully preserving the doors, trim, and flooring that give it character.
More photos coming soon!

04/03/2026

The Gerald B. Tonkens House (c. 1955) is one of the best-preserved examples of Frank Lloyd Wright’s **Usonian Automatic** homes—where design, structure, and nature all work as one.

Built with interlocking concrete blocks and over 400 glass inserts, this 2,100 sq ft home sits on 3.5 acres in Amberley Village and features Wright’s signature “polywog” layout, pulling you from a central workspace into a private bedroom wing.

From the Cherokee Red concrete to gold-leaf ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass, every detail was intentional—and it shows.

We are honored to be a part of preserving and restoring this rare piece.

***Updates and photos of the process coming soon!!!

03/13/2026

Historic Tax Credit projects often require preserving original materials whenever possible—especially hardwood floors. On a 161-year-old building like this, that means carefully repairing what’s there rather than replacing it.

We patch holes, repair damaged joists, and tooth in salvaged boards so everything blends together before sanding and refinishing. Working with wood this old comes with its challenges—cracks, splits, and years of wear—but that’s part of the process.

Modern lumber simply doesn’t match the tight grain and color of old-growth wood, so we salvage flooring from areas like former bathrooms or other hidden spaces. Reusing that original material allows us to make repairs while keeping the floors looking uniform and historically authentic once they’re finished.

Here are some before, during and after photos.
Hats off to the Boys for another fine job!!!💪🏽💥👏
Only 11 more rooms to go...😁😜🤣

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02/20/2026

Found something cool in the walls downtown, can anyone guess what it was for?

🔍⚙️📦➰️🔎

02/06/2026

After posting, I realized I forgot the deck photo.🤦‍♂️ Here's the new composite deck, where we somehow managed to MacGyver around a beam in the middle.
We squeezed in two high tops and a bench, and... viola'! 🌟🏠👍🎉

01/29/2026

We selectively take on commercial projects, and when we do, they're often historic gems waiting for a revival. This 113-year-old, three-story poured concrete building presented a unique challenge, with a tight timeline on the 7200 sq ft renovation. The third floor was transformed with a new layout, new trim molding, fresh paint, glass office doors, upgraded HVAC, and modern electrical systems. A sleek new kitchen featuring Rookwood tile backsplash, refreshed bathrooms, and plush high-end carpet flooring bring new life to the space. Meanwhile, the second floor received a fresh coat of paint, new flooring, and a stylish new back patio with composite decking.
Check it out!! 🚧🔨💥🪚🏆👏

Architect ✏️ Platte Architecture + Design
Photography 📷The First Showing, LLC