Architect
Ian Smith
Principal, Ian Smith Design Group
For Ian Smith, architecture signifies a gracious art, a calling to service, and an opportunity to achieve synthesis between emotional relationships and the spaces that allow them to be. Ian is an emerging design professional in the Philadelphia Area, and principal of Ian Smith Design Group LLC, a full-service architecture, planning and design firm with new construction and renovation experience in Institutional, Healthcare, Urban Design, Civic Cultural, Hospitality & Residential projects. When arriving at appropriate solutions for uncommon design challenges, IS-DG not only offers great passion and creativity to all facets of its work, but also offers an extensive design and fine arts background as a resource to its clientele. IS-DG insists that success is achieved from providing products that anyone can use. And, sometimes it does not hurt to add a little meaning in to the process. Prior to his professional journey, degrees at both Rhode Island School of Design, and Yale University help to foreshadow his continued achievements. Among his many efforts, Ian has self-published a book titled, The Connections of Mechanical Fasteners; A Detailed Look at the East Falls Bridge, and co-authored a book on the nostalgic Southern New Jersey Resort town of Wildwood, New Jersey titled, Wildwood Moments: New Jersey's Beloved Boardwalk.
Ian Smith
Principal, Ian Smith Design Group
For Ian Smith, architecture signifies a gracious art, a calling to service, and an opportunity to achieve synthesis between emotional relationships and the spaces that allow them to be. Ian is an emerging design professional in the Philadelphia Area, and principal of Ian Smith Design Group LLC, a full-service architecture, planning and design firm with new construction and renovation experience in Institutional, Healthcare, Urban Design, Civic Cultural, Hospitality & Residential projects. When arriving at appropriate solutions for uncommon design challenges, IS-DG not only offers great passion and creativity to all facets of its work, but also offers an extensive design and fine arts background as a resource to its clientele. IS-DG insists that success is achieved from providing products that anyone can use. And, sometimes it does not hurt to add a little meaning in to the process. Prior to his professional journey, degrees at both Rhode Island School of Design, and Yale University help to foreshadow his continued achievements. Among his many efforts, Ian has self-published a book titled, The Connections of Mechanical Fasteners; A Detailed Look at the East Falls Bridge, and co-authored a book on the nostalgic Southern New Jersey Resort town of Wildwood, New Jersey titled, Wildwood Moments: New Jersey's Beloved Boardwalk.
Landscape architect
Nate Hommel
Director, Planning & Design, University City District
Nate joined the University City District in 2012, and has served as the Director of Planning and Design since Summer 2015. Nate uses his urban design expertise and dedicated enthusiasm to further enhance urban quality of life issues throughout University City. Nate was instrumental in launching Green City Works, UCD’s new landscaping social venture, and serves as a quality and design consultant for all landscaping projects that the venture executes. Before UCD, Nate worked as a landscape architect/urban designer for two firms in Philadelphia, and from 2010-2015, he served as an adjunct professor of landscape architecture at Philadelphia University, heading the urban design and community design studios. Nate is also one of the founding members of Open Streets PHL and has served as the External Communications Director for the organization. Nate holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY.
Nate Hommel
Director, Planning & Design, University City District
Nate joined the University City District in 2012, and has served as the Director of Planning and Design since Summer 2015. Nate uses his urban design expertise and dedicated enthusiasm to further enhance urban quality of life issues throughout University City. Nate was instrumental in launching Green City Works, UCD’s new landscaping social venture, and serves as a quality and design consultant for all landscaping projects that the venture executes. Before UCD, Nate worked as a landscape architect/urban designer for two firms in Philadelphia, and from 2010-2015, he served as an adjunct professor of landscape architecture at Philadelphia University, heading the urban design and community design studios. Nate is also one of the founding members of Open Streets PHL and has served as the External Communications Director for the organization. Nate holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY.
Recreation advisor
Kate Zmich
Director of Programs & Fun, Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
Kate has been at Smith since 2012 and in that time has moved from Playground Manager, to Operations Manager, to her current position as Director of Programs & Fun. Kate’s current work involves heading-up Smith’s play advocacy and outreach efforts; strengthening connections with Smith’s neighbors and like-minded organizations; and developing and running in-house programming with a focus on DIY, unstructured, nature-inspired experiences. Kate is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector by the National Recreation and Park Association. In addition to her work at Smith, Kate’s experience includes a collaboration with Public Workshop on the design-build of the Build Adventure space at Smith, teaching preschool for three years, and conducting research at the University of Delaware and Wellesley College exploring the links between play and learning.
Kate Zmich
Director of Programs & Fun, Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
Kate has been at Smith since 2012 and in that time has moved from Playground Manager, to Operations Manager, to her current position as Director of Programs & Fun. Kate’s current work involves heading-up Smith’s play advocacy and outreach efforts; strengthening connections with Smith’s neighbors and like-minded organizations; and developing and running in-house programming with a focus on DIY, unstructured, nature-inspired experiences. Kate is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector by the National Recreation and Park Association. In addition to her work at Smith, Kate’s experience includes a collaboration with Public Workshop on the design-build of the Build Adventure space at Smith, teaching preschool for three years, and conducting research at the University of Delaware and Wellesley College exploring the links between play and learning.
Team leader
Denis Devine
Communications Chair, Friends of Adaire
Denis is a former newspaper, web, and public radio journalist who now divides his time between freelance editing, Friends of Adaire, and raising two young sons. He volunteered to help with the schoolyard project when it required calling a politician's office, something he was used to doing as a journalist, and he backed into taking a leadership role in coordinating the project on behalf of Friends of Adaire. His wife Kate Hughes is Friends of Adaire's president.
Denis Devine
Communications Chair, Friends of Adaire
Denis is a former newspaper, web, and public radio journalist who now divides his time between freelance editing, Friends of Adaire, and raising two young sons. He volunteered to help with the schoolyard project when it required calling a politician's office, something he was used to doing as a journalist, and he backed into taking a leadership role in coordinating the project on behalf of Friends of Adaire. His wife Kate Hughes is Friends of Adaire's president.
