Western focus
Peo pl e a n d P r o f il es
Reid Smith Architects
Small by design, young firm makes big waves
accredited professional Daryl Nourse, one-third of the Reid
beginning of any project, for example, the entire firm gathers at
Smith team. Whilst they appreciate every rock, every tree,
the site for an open air brainstorming session. “We try to find
every view the site has to offer, the trio asks hard questions
something on site that is the inspiration for what makes the
too about the client’s specific program. “How can we meet the
project unique,” explains founder and principal Reid Smith.
client’s needs and achieve their goals from a budget and aes-
That inspiration can come in the form of towering trees or
thetic approach?” asks Smith. Drew Wagner, the final link in
rock outcroppings that can be mimicked with a soaring timber
the Reid Smith chain, brings pragmatism to the equation with
frame and lots of glass or native stone details, he says.
questions about function, flow and circulation.
“We bounce ideas off of one another as we study the
Together, the three men are the force behind the firm’s
view corridors and the way the light falls,” continues LEED-
impressive and diverse portfolio that includes everything from
This page: The great room in the Green Hills
Ranch residence south of Bozeman is it’s own
building, essentially a peninsula, with views that
capture morning sunlight to the east, the Bridger
Mountains to the north, and spectacular sunsets
over the Tobacco Root mountains to the west.
Opposite page: This residence in Montana’s
Yellowstone Club was built, and quite literally
centered to the millimeter, around the view of
Lone Peak seen from this magnificent window.
The design intent of this space was to establish a
view upon entry that sets the tone for the home’s
proximity to, and appreciation for Lone Peak.
62
Photo courtesy Alex Zukowski
Reid Smith Architects is not a conventional firm. At the
Photo courtesy Reid smith Architects
Written by Ca rt e r G. Wa l k e r
Big Sky Journal HOME
63
Their work is unrecognizable from one to the next: Western vernacular here, industrial contemporary there. For Smith, Nourse and Wagner, the joy is in creating something that is beautifully functional, ideally suited to the site, and an innovative response to the clients’ every wish and need.
serve. “I love design. It’s what I wake up for in the morning,”
tackles small-scale projects in the 1,000-square-foot range and
admits Smith.
12,000-square-foot mansions with the same enthusiasm and
Smith worked for a couple of firms before starting his
creativity. Their work is unrecognizable from one to the next:
namesake studio six years ago. Nourse, an associate in one of
Western vernacular here, industrial contemporary there. For
those firms, joined him shortly thereafter and the two worked
Smith, Nourse and Wagner, the joy is in creating something
at back to back desks in Smith’s living room. “The first three
that is beautifully functional, ideally suited to the site, and an
months I learned more from him than I had in the last seven
innovative response to the clients’ every wish and need.
years working for other firms,” explains Nourse, who, like
Like the structures they create, there is a seamless and
Shelly Saunders
Clockwise from left: Because the owners of the North
Star residence in The Club at Spanish Peaks wanted to
capture views in several directions, the design for the great
room utilizes equal intersecting gable forms. The resulting ceiling is tent-like and an interesting “view” in and of
itself after dark. • Reid Smith Architects often use elevation to create dynamic spaces and very distinct views. It’s
not uncommon for the team to bring ladders to the initial
on-site brainstorming session to get a sense of the views
from different heights. • The owners of this Big Sky home
wanted a massive stone fireplace around which they could
gather, but they did not want to sacrifice the stunning
mountain views of both the Spanish Peaks to the north and
the Gallatin Range to the east from floor-to-ceiling windows
in the great room. By creating a two-sided fireplace in the
corner, Reid Smith Architects maximized the feature’s sitting
area and natural appeal without compromising the vistas.
minimalist lake cabins to grand mountain lodges. The firm
Smith, has a Master’s in architecture from MSU.
critical flow to the firm. In any meeting, it is clear that Diana
Though they eventually moved into a handsome down-
Saros, who manages client services, and Andrea Smith, office
town office and brought in Wagner, himself a recent graduate
manager, are integral to the firm’s successful functioning.
of the Master’s in Architecture program at MSU and also
There is something decidedly familial about this tight-knit
LEED-accredited, Reid Smith Architects has purposefully
group of people. They are young, energetic and supremely
maintained its small size and studio approach. After four
dedicated to the practice of architecture and the clients they
years together, all five employees agree that their size offers
moved
Karl Neumann
438 E. Mendenhall, Suite 2
www.laurafedrointeriors.com p. 406 586 0122
Circle 50 On Reader Service Card
64
Big Sky Journal HOME
65
enormous benefits both internally and externally.
that he listened to every word and he incorporated every last
For starters, begins Smith, all three architects can be
detail I mentioned,” she gushes. “He’s not drawing the house
involved in every aspect of every project they accept. From the
he wants,” she says, reflecting on past projects that have ful-
brainstorming sessions through design and construction, the
filled the architect’s vision instead of her own. “He’s drawing
entire firm pools it resources and energy on every project. That
the house I want,” she explains, with emphasis on the I. Hill,
allows the architects to pursue what they love and the clients
who was excited to talk about the glass bridge connecting the
to have three resources instead of one. Because the three work
home’s ski room to the main house and the teepee room that
together so fluidly, the contractors also benefit. There is always
accommodates grandchildren before they are big enough for
someone available to be on site when questions come up and
the bunk room, describes Reid Smith Architects as “the best
solutions are needed.
people we have ever ever worked with.”
Much of their business comes from referrals by past
Although the firm has had ample opportunities to grow
and present clients. Among them is Marsha Hill, who is in
over the last several years, they are committed to focusing on
the midst of the building process for the seventh time, this
architecture rather than business, service rather than growth.
time for a family home at the Yellowstone Club. She discov-
For Reid Smith Architects, being small allows them to pursue
ered Smith by touring and fawning over a number of houses
their collective love of architecture in an efficient way with
he’d done in the area. After their first meeting, she was sold.
personalized service at every step of the process. H
Smith, according to Hill did more than just listen. When she
described her crystal clear and detail-oriented vision for the
Carter G. Walker is the managing editor of Western Art &
house at “a mile-a-minute” pace, “Reid just literally wrote
Architecture and a contributor to Big Sky Journal.
down every word I said … But the neat thing about Reid is
Circle 51 On Reader Service Card
66