It is with great sadness that ARC announces the death of ARC founding partner Colin Smith.

Colin was born in England and attended the Architectural Association in London. After completing his studies at the AA, he applied for a scholarship to the Harvard Graduate School of Design. When Colin’s Graduate School of Design professor Walter Gropius started a new firm, The Architects Collaborative, he hired his best students, including Colin and his friend Ben Thompson. When Ben left TAC in 1966 to form his own firm, he, like Gropius, took with him his prized employees and again, Colin was one. 

In 1969, Colin and a small group went on their own to form ARC/ Architectural Resources Cambridge. Their work at TAC and BTA gave them a foundation as respected and capable architects and enabled them to begin a firm that is still flourishing in its 53rd year.

Their first major project was the Kennedy School of Government in which Colin played a major role. Colin went on to be the partner in charge of school and university projects at Buckingham, Browne and Nichols, Tufts, Syracuse, New York University, Russell Sage, University of Massachusetts, South Dartmouth, Pappajohn Business School at the University of Iowa, and the Business School at University of Missouri in Kansas City. He also was involved in projects for Digital Equipment, Lotus, and a historic renovation in Philadelphia for Design Research.  Colin was a steady hand guiding the firm.  His charm, grace, and good humor, served with a British accent, were appealing to everyone.

Colin was an active member of the Boston Society of Architects and was named a Fellow by the American Institute of Architects.  He was appointed to the Massachusetts Designer Selection Board, whose responsibility was to appoint talented architects for major state projects.

To read the full text of Colin’s obituary, please visit: https://lincolnsquirrel.com/2022/10/service-on-wednesday-for-colin-smith-1933-2022