Drew Haley Smith became the youngest licensed female architect in the United States on July 22, 2024. Smith graduated from Auburn University in May 2023 with her bachelor's degree in architecture and interior architecture.
While she knew she wanted to be an architect since she was in high school, Smith briefly considered becoming a pharmacist. She said she stuck with the architect path for several reasons, one being the joy of creating something.
"I really enjoy the more abstract thinking and working with my hands, and I didn't want to take tests," Smith said.
Ironically, she ended up taking several tests to get her license. Smith explained how the architecture program at Auburn University positively contributed to her success. Encouraging her to get an internship while in school helped her get the hours she needed to complete school in the time frame that she wanted. While the process normally takes around 13 years, Smith completed it in six.
Traditionally, the architecture department required a five-year credited program or a four-year bachelor's and two-year master's program, along with two years of work experience after the degree. Smith shared how the rules changed to where students can start to get some work experience while in school and take six tests. This is what she did, as she got one year of work experience during her time in school.
Smith shared that finding out she was the youngest licensed female architect in the U.S. was a sense of accomplishment for finishing what she set out to do. She felt relieved, as she was trying to reach her goal before her birthday.
The most challenging part of getting to where she is, Smith said, was staying focused.
While she does not have any regrets based on how she spent her time at Auburn and the friends she made within her major, she wishes she spent more time with people outside of architecture.
Grateful for her work environment at SS&L Architects, Smith described her team as encouraging and positive people. She said when she gets overwhelmed, the people she works with help calm her down. Smith said that looking at the bigger picture is also a great way to keep her grounded.
"Staying focused on the Lord and what's truly important and realizing that everything we're working on right now isn't going to last forever, but our souls are gonna last forever," Smith said.
Impacting a built environment in a positive way was Smith's main inspiration for becoming an architect.
While she had some female role models like Mary English growing up, Smith said her biggest supporters through the licensing process have been leaders like Jimmy Seay and Nick Vansyoc. She also credits her dad for her achievements, as he was one of her most prominent role models.
"My dad has by far been one of the most influential people in my life. Not just in this, but also in forming who I am as a person," Smith said.
While she was 23 years old when she got her license, Smith is now 24, working as the project manager for SS&L Architects. She explained that helping the interns is her favorite part about what she does; schematic design is a close second.
"It's basically when you're in the first initial phases of a project, and we start laying out these bubble diagrams and thinking about how we want the space to feel and sketching. It's so interactive, and you have to bring all these things together, and I absolutely love it," Smith said.
With a passion for projects directly impacting her hometown — Auburn — Smith shared how she narrows down her approach.
"The specific project type doesn't matter to me quite as much as the people I am designing the building for. In the early stages of design, I prefer to take a computer-free approach and then gradually introduce digital tools as the design develops," Smith said.
She shared how rewarding it is to go somewhere she grew up and brainstorm ways she can develop buildings.
Giving advice to other females aspiring to be an architect, Smith shared her insight.
"Right now, our culture pushes girls to focus on their career, but don't feel pressured to do that if you don't want to. In school, they were shoving down my throat that I had to conform to this and that. And I was like, 'No, I don't,'" Smith shared.
Smith said that her personal goals are not even architecture-related. Her goal in life is to be a homeschool mom. As someone who grew up being homeschooled, Smith sees so much magic in doing that.
"I can forge my own path. Yes, in this stage of my life it seems like I'm very career-oriented. But my life is meant for something else, and it's not what society always says it is," Smith said.
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