San Francisco Ferry Building VC Office
Elaine Hwa Smith
Elaine Hwa Smith
Design alone doesn’t bring a place to life. We are creating spaces that support the people who live, work, and stay there — those who bring these spaces to life.
Quick Look
Title
Associate Principal
Education
Cornell University
Bachelor of Science in Design & Environmental Analysis/Interior Design
Featured Projects
San Francisco Ferry Building VC Office
JW Marriott Sao Paulo
Centre 425
Four Seasons Bora Bora
Personal Haven
Hiking along the dramatic, picturesque Bay Area coastline, the ever-dynamic ebb and flow of nature fill me with a sense of presence and groundedness
Engaging Graciously
Led a team at BAMO to design a mural for a local elementary school in partnership with Project Color Corps
Inspired Moment
Experiencing a project going “live” – the energy, the welcome, watching people enjoy and flow through the space inspires me to do it all again on the next project
Elaine loves immersing herself in different cultures. Growing up, she traveled extensively with her family — and design and architecture were essential to how she experienced each country. These memories were the catalyst for her becoming a designer.
Her clean, modern style is supported by a well-researched and richly informed cultural context. Through her strong design sensibilities and keen understanding of intricate layering, Elaine’s innovative mix of scale and materials unlocks new design opportunities to create spaces that enliven.
Integrating her unique perspective and hands-on expertise in hospitality, residential, and corporate design, Elaine creates well-choreographed environments in tune with culture and people. These spaces are notable for their client-centric design, the need for quiet thought as well as social interaction, and the ability to support each stakeholder’s wellbeing.
An influential mentor, Elaine empowers others to reach their full potential by building confidence and having more intentional conversations. She is actively engaged in hiring design professionals and championing the next generation of design leaders to contribute at the highest level.