Jane Smith founded Spacesmith in 1987, cementing her status as a pioneering woman in the field of architecture and design. Today, she remains at the head of a firm that has grown to include more than thirty professionals and has amassed a vast portfolio of impactful projects.

Spacesmith’s durability, longevity, and stature are a function of Jane’s premise that strong business leadership is a prerequisite for design excellence. She has established a culture of inclusion and transparency in which all aspects of the architectural practice are routinely presented to the staff, with all team members contributing to the firm’s health in their own unique ways.

Times and projects have evolved over the years but Spacesmith’s enduring success ties back to its guiding principles: that lasting architecture arises from creative integration of form, function, resilience, and sustainability—and that, most critically, it should inspire the mind and raise the spirit. Jane sees to it that these principles are always met with diligence, intelligence, and inventiveness.

In 2017, Jane was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, an honor earned by members who have made significant contributions to architecture. She is the recipient of several industry awards, including the AIA New York State President’s Award for demonstrating lasting influence and raising the standards of performance within the profession. For twelve years, she was the Chair for the Built Environments program at the School of Visual Arts, where she introduced new courses in critical thinking, sustainability, and business leadership to meet the demands of today’s world.

Jane is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to the practice of architecture and serving the community. In addition to remaining active with the AIA, she serves on the Board of Directors for The Olana Partnership and is a member of the Industry Advisory Group for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Building Operations. She received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Arizona State University and an MBA in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business.

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