Staff Profile: Debra Smith
Project manager and architect Debra Smith has played an integral role in bringing to life numerous innovative and sustainably designed buildings on the UC Davis campus, including the recently constructed state-of-the-art Teaching and Learning Complex.
A veteran in her field and an avid lover of the outdoors, Smith understands the importance of aligning concepts of building design with the value of promoting environmental preservation and human well-being.
Teaching and Learning Complex
One of Smith's many accomplishments is serving as project manager for the state-of-the-art Teaching Learning Complex, the first new general classroom building on the Davis campus in more than 50 years.
“Throughout my career as an architect, the idea of providing service for a building’s end users is what drives me in this field,” Smith states. “I have always been hands-on in order to ensure that the occupants are involved in the design and that they understand the process and decisions that need to be made throughout the design and construction of their project.”
After spending time working in design and project senior management roles in Redding, Paso Robles, and Placerville, she joined the UC Davis design and construction management team in 2013.
During her time at UC Davis, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow architects and designers in an effort to tackle building construction projections with the ultimate goal of utilizing environmentally sustainable materials in order to meet community needs. Aside from developing master space plans and overseeing project schedules and budget, Smith is also tasked with coordinating consultants, managing the production team, and administering projects through construction.
Smith, who began her career studying at the University of Oregon, holds a Bachelor's of Architecture degree and has received recognition from the American Institute of Architects. She holds an Executive Certificate in Home Modifications from the University of Southern California as well as a LEED AP BD+C credential.
Among other building construction projects on campus, Smith was previously a key leader in the construction of the Ann E. Pitzer Center for teaching and music performance and California Hall, the largest lecture hall on campus, which was completed in 2019.
In her free time, she enjoys working outside in her garden and spending time in nature. When she’s not busy performing her work duties, her favorite place to visit on campus is the UC Davis Arboretum where she enjoys the plant varieties and wildlife.
In regards to more recent projects she’s tackled, Smith is currently the UC Davis project manager involved in the design and construction of the newly built Teaching and Learning Complex located beside the Silo.
“My favorite campus project at UC Davis has involved seeing the Teaching and Learning Complex building design come to life,” says Smith. “Working with the architect and design builder while collaborating with other experts on campus on the project has been very fulfilling.”
The Teaching and Learning Complex building, which is now open to students and faculty, will be officially completed in spring of 2022. According to Smith, the nearly 100,000 square foot building, which is targeting a LEED Gold certification like California Hall, was designed to meet a variety of student and faculty needs.
Built with materials such as polished concrete and void of carpeted floors, the building itself actively limits occupant exposure to microbes and allergens.
“Most of the smaller, intimate classrooms [in the Teaching and Learning Complex] are also equipped with radiant panels and ceiling fans to ensure increased comfort for students and educators,” underlines Smith. “The inclusion of daylighting and displacement ventilation in the main lecture halls supports an energy efficient heating system and cultivates a more focused learning atmosphere.”
Widely beloved and respected by her colleagues, Smith has been instrumental in helping to create positive change on campus by continuously approaching her design and architectural duties with the understanding that harmful environmental and anthropogenic impacts can be lessened through sustainable design practices in conjunction with the implementation of advanced system technologies. With proactive steps made towards building an accommodating and sustainable campus, the completion of these projects highlights Smith’s intention to use her comprehensive architectural and design knowledge, in combination with constituent feedback, as a means to help continuously design a bright future for UC Davis.