Jane Smith

“And I would add that as a woman in architecture, having my own firm allowed me, very early on, to put an emphasis on the diversity of my team and to shape the firm in my own way. I always imagined having a lot of different people around a table and making the best architecture as a result and that dream has become a reality.”

#WomenWhoBuild meet Jane Smith,

Jane is the founding partner of internationally recognized design practice, Spacesmith LLP. She is member of the Board of Trustees for Olana Partnership, a non-profit that works to preserve the National Historic Landmark, Olana, in the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and is serving on the Industry Advisory Group for the US State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) for the 2021-2023 term. She also served as Chair of the Interior Design Department of the School of Visual Arts and is a recipient of the AIA New York State President’s Award for outstanding contributions to the profession in education, industry, or government by a member.

We spoke with Jane about her introduction to Architecture, what pushed her to start her own firm, what she sees for the future of Spacesmith, and the main piece of advice she has for young students entering the field.

Can you tell us a little bit about your first introduction to Architecture and what made you want to pursue it as a career?

I grew up in Laramie Wyoming and was a tomboy through and through. I loved to hang out with my carpenter grandfather in his shop and learn about the different tools and how to use them. I was always the first to volunteer to help my father with home building projects and was right there with my him and my brothers when it was time to re-shingle our cabin roof or do other projects around the house. I played all kinds of sports with the boys before there were teams for girls in our town. I built clubhouses from foraged scraps at construction sites and spent a summer helping our architect neighbor nail down the floor on his new home across the street. I didn’t know it at the time, but architecture was in my blood, fueled by the joy of seeing things built.

You received your degree in Architecture from ASU, and your master’s in finance from NYU Stern School of Business. Can you tell us a little bit about why you decided to obtain a master’s degree in such a different field?

I learned early in my career that there is no separation between architecture and business. They are synonymous. To get an education in architecture without understanding the business of architecture is severely limiting. I am lucky that my first job made this evident and I applied for the MBA program at NYU.

You are the founding partner of Spacesmith LLP. Can you tell us a little bit about the path that led you to starting your own firm? What did the beginning days look like?

I had spent ten years in three high-profile positions, all within big companies, at the beginning of my career. Although I got amazing experience and learned how to navigate a predominantly male, corporate world, I was impatient for independence and to see what I could accomplish on my own. I was happy to work with people, but didn’t want bosses. And I didn’t want to be a cog in the wheel. I wanted to build my own wheel.

Abrams Publishing// Photo by: Eric Laignel

How do you structure your day to day?

6:00 AM up and on the meditation cushion for 30 minutes, on the bike or rowing machine for 10 minutes, yoga/stretching for 20 minutes, weights for 10 minutes. Shower and dress, feed Jax, my hound/lab mix, coffee and toast, write a page in my journal – and then I begin the day. From there on, every day is different depending on what is needed – Spacesmith (planning, team check ins and project work), board commitments, gardening. And then, any time left is for writing, painting and thinking. Evenings are free for friends, reading, gardening, cooking, and just being.

What has been the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of owning your own company?

The most challenging thing for me is to control the internal stress around meeting expectations – of all kinds – from clients, staff, partners. Maybe that’s a woman thing. And of course, the finances! Keeping the firm financially healthy through the ebbs and flows of business and project cycles is a natural stress of having your own firm. I am ultimately responsible for the livelihoods of many people and I want to make sure they are well taken care of.

Everything else is fabulous! I love all the other aspects of running a firm - building a great team, working with amazing partners, clients, consultants, contractors, achieving independence (with responsibilities), seeing the finished projects, doing what I love every day. And steering the firm is like guiding a child into a formidable adult. The reward has always been worth the struggles, and the challenge of finding a way through the struggles is all part of the fun.

And I would add that as a woman in architecture, having my own firm allowed me, very early on, to put an emphasis on the diversity of my team and to shape the firm in my own way. I always imagined having a lot of different people around a table and making the best architecture as a result and that dream has become a reality.

Talbott & Arding// Photo by: Annie Schlecter

You serve on the board of trustees for the Olana Partnership and on the Industry Advisory Group for the US State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. Can you tell us a little bit about these two roles?

Currently the role as the sole architect on The Olana Partnership board is taking a lot of time, but is very exciting. I’m serving as the primary point of contact for the new Frederick Church Visitor’s Center, between the Olana Partnership, the NYS Parks Department and the project’s architects, Architecture Research Office.

I was also selected to be an Industry Advisor for the State Department Overseas Bureau of Overseas Building Operations, which is responsible for US Embassies worldwide. This is a really big deal and a great honor. Industry advisors are selected to offer their advanced expertise and knowledge to OBO with regards to best practices. Additionally, we serve as peer reviewers for new embassy projects.

What has been your favorite project to work on?

Whenever I’ve been asked this question, I generally stumbled until I became confident enough to tell the truth - my favorite project is Spacesmith! As the firm founder and leader, every project matters, and more importantly, the team that is Spacesmith and our reputation in the industry are greater than the individual projects. I am extremely proud of the work that we do – the sense of craft, timelessness and mission-supporting thinking that we bring to every project.

What do you see for the future of Spacesmith?

I see a robust, ever-expanding firm that is nimble, financially stable, forward-thinking, environmentally conscious, led by a diverse group of passionate, talented and compassionate architects, designers and thinkers.

How has Architecture as a field changed throughout your career?

The importance of collaboration is more important than ever with new skills and technologies required. Teams are more diverse and more specialized, and strong communication is essential. The pace is faster, the economic influences are greater and the business of architecture often outweighs design concerns.

What is one piece of advice you have for young women looking to pursue a career in the field?

First, don’t give up; show up, over and over if necessary. The best projects and achievements are the ones that might take several tries and iterations.

Second, remember that you can find a potential mentor, guru or guide in everyone you meet.

Third, always keep in mind that everyone has something to contribute. The voices of your teams and collaborators matter and can give you a perspective that you might not have on your own.

Melissa Bowers

Jenny H. Kim