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Mr. James Smith, AIA

James Douglas Smith Architects Inc.

President/owner
Crown Point, IN
United States
46307-2746

Bio

Born and raised in Chicago - from north side to south side. Graduated from Lane Technical High School where my interest in architecture developed. Graduated from University of Illinois in Urbana. While at the U of I, was in the first foreign study program. Spent most of the school year in France and Italy working in the design studio, sketching and photographing the great historic architecture and soaking up the culture of Europe. Started a family, fast tracked my architectural license, became active in the Chicago Chapter AIA and started my own business four years out of school. Have been a partner in two other firms, off and on an employee and currently a sole practitioner. Moved to Crown Point Indiana in the 1980's, bought and still restoring an 1872 vintage historic home. Developed a strong connection to computing and although I still love to sketch for pleasure as well as for professional design, I am continuously developing CADD skills and enjoy 3D modeling. My wife and I travel in and out of the USA and we are both involved in AIA activities, community historic restoration projects, teaching and having fun with our grandchildren.

Specialties

Accessibility Compliance, Architectural Design, Bid Evaluation, Code Compliance, Construction Documentation: Drawings, Construction Documentation: Specifications, Contract Administration, Existing Facilities Surveys, Historic Preservation, Project Representation, Renderings, Site Development Planning, Special Furnishings Design, Urban Design Services, Photographic site and building surveys

Affiliations

Preservation Action Board member, AIA Historic Resource Committee, National Historic Trust, Indiana Landmarks foundation, U.S. Green Building Council-Indiana, Lake Courthouse Foundation Board Member and Restoration Architetct;

Interests

Architetcural design, historic preservation, active restorationist, university level teaching; travel and photography

Education

University of Illinois

Urbana, Illinois, United States
B.Arch, University Honors, 1968
Architectural design and engineering
1963 To 1968

Ecole D'Art Americanes

Fontainebleau, France
Certificate with honors
Architectural design
1967 To 1967

Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, Illinois, United States
Engineering courses
Engineering
1961 To 1962

Job History

Purdue University

Adjunct Faculty
Hammond, IN, United States
January 1999 - present

James Douglas Smith, AIA Architect, Inc

President
Crown Point, IN, United States
May 1989 - present

VRA Architects Inc.

Principal, Consulting Architect
Park Ridge, IL, United States
January 2004 - June 2010

H. Seay Cantrell Associates, Inc

Vice President
Gary, IN, United States
February 1979 - May 1989

City of Gary

Community Development/City Architect
Gary, IN, United States
June 1977 - February 1979

Smith/Kureghian Associates, Architects

Partner
Chicago, IL, United States
October 1971 - June 1977

A Epstein International

Architectural Staff
Chicago, IL, United States
June 1969 - October 1971
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