Ernest L. Smith, NCARB

Co-Founder, Principal and Past President of Smith/Barnes Architecture Inc. An honor graduate of Auburn University and senior principal. He is a registered architect in the State of Florida and a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards with over 40 years of professional experience designing a variety of award winning projects. Ernie’s extraordinary talent has resulted in the design of numerous high rise residential towers throughout Florida, including his involvement with 14 luxury towers for visionary residential developer, Raymond Lutgert. Prior to Smith Barnes Architecture, Ernie was one of the original founders of The Design Advocates, Inc. (1975). His designs for commercial office, residential, recreational and golf course developments have also been recognized locally and nationally through awards and publications.

He is established among the top designers in the region, he has received the Better Homes and Gardens Award for the Best Design for Multi-Family Residential Housing and the Best Multi-Family Residential Housing Award of the Decade, The West Central Florida Chapter AIA Award for the Best Design for Multi-Family Residential Housing, and the Architect’s Annual Building Awards Association Merit Award for his work in Carrollwood Village in Tampa. Mr. Smith’s Company was the recipient of multiple Aurora Awards from 1994 thru 2007 for luxury high rise condominiums in Naples and Bonita Bay. He was also presented with the outstanding masonry project of the year in 2002 as architect for the Ritz Carlton Sarasota. Mr. Smith’s Company was awarded the Outstanding Special Use Building Judge’s Award for NAIOP for “Ovation – luxury high rise condominium in St. Petersburg in 2011.

Mr. Smith has been involved with over 25 luxury high rise condominiums and  apartments over the past thirty years. His company is recognized as on of the leading design architects on the West Coast of Florida.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies:  

Auburn University

Affiliations:

            Registered Architect State of Florida, #AR0004926

            Member of National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)