Chloethiel Woodard Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chloethiel Woodard Smith
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Chloethiel Woodard Smith discussing her Harbour Square project, c. 1960
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| Born | 1910 |
| Died | December 30, 1992 Washington, D.C.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Oregon |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Projects | Reston, Virginia |
Chloethiel Woodard Smith (February 2, 1910 – December 30, 1992) was an American architect and urban planner. She was known for her work in Washington, D.C. She was one of the first women to become a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. At one point, her company was the largest architecture firm owned by a woman in the United States.
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Chloethiel Smith's Early Career and Education
Chloethiel Woodard Smith studied architecture at two universities. She earned her first degree from the University of Oregon in 1932. The next year, in 1933, she received a master's degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
Early in her career, Smith worked for the Federal Housing Authority. This government agency helps people find affordable housing. In the 1940s, she worked for a company called Berla & Abel. She also taught architecture in Bolivia from 1942 to 1944. In 1950, she started her own firm with partners, called Keyes, Smith & Satterlee. Later, from 1963 to 1983, she ran her own company, Chloethiel Woodard Smith & Associates.
Designing Washington, D.C. and Beyond
Chloethiel Smith was chosen for many important building projects. She also served on committees that helped shape Washington, D.C., after World War II. In 1952, she helped create plans to rebuild the Southwest area of Washington.
She designed several projects in this area, including Capitol Park and Harbour Square. She also designed the Waterside Mall. Smith even suggested building a bridge with shops and restaurants over the Washington Channel. This idea was inspired by the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy.
Smith designed the National Airport Metro station. She also created the Waterview Townhouses in Reston, Virginia. Some of these homes have cool spiral steps that go down to a lake! She also designed the Coleson Townhouses, which are 45 homes in a forest setting, also in Reston.
In downtown Washington, D.C., Smith designed three of the four office buildings at a busy intersection. This corner is sometimes called "Chloethiel's Corner" because of her influence. Outside the U.S., she designed the American Embassy in Paraguay. She also created a master plan for the city of Quito, Ecuador.
Her Impact on Architecture
Chloethiel Smith was a big supporter of creating a national museum about buildings and architecture. She successfully suggested that the Pension Building be renovated to become the home of the National Building Museum. She was a trustee for the museum.
She also served on many other important boards and committees. These included the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
By 1971, Chloethiel Woodard Smith & Associates became the largest architecture firm in the United States run by a woman. By the end of her career in the late 1980s, almost 30% of architects working in Washington, D.C., had worked in her office at some point. Famous architects like Arthur Cotton Moore and Hugh Newell Jacobsen worked for her.
Chloethiel Smith's Legacy
Chloethiel Woodard Smith passed away from cancer on December 30, 1992. She was 82 years old.
Smith did not like being called a "woman architect." She felt it made her work seem less important. She wanted to be known simply as an architect. She lived long enough to see this term become less common. Even though her name might not be as well known to everyone, she is considered a master architect. Her successful career lasted for five decades.
Awards and Recognition
Chloethiel Smith received many awards for her work.
- In 1944, she was named a Guggenheim Fellow. This is a special award given to people who show great ability in their field.
- In 1960, she became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. She was only the sixth woman to receive this honor.
- In 1989, the Washington chapter of the American Institute of Architects gave her its Centennial Award. This award recognized her long service to the architecture community and profession.
Selected Projects Designed by Chloethiel Smith
Here are some of the buildings and plans Chloethiel Smith worked on:
- Miller Residence, Rockville, Maryland, 1947–48
- American Embassy, chancery and residence, Asunción, Paraguay, 1955–59
- Capitol Park Apartments and Townhouses, Washington, D.C., 1958–68
- Washington Channel Waterfront Master Plan, Washington, D.C., 1960–62
- Waterview Townhouses, Reston, Virginia, 1962–65
- 1100 Connecticut Avenue, office building, Washington, D.C., 1964–66
- Blake Building, 1025 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C., 1964–66
- Waterside – Town Center, Washington, D.C., 1964–71
- Harbour Square Apartments and Townhouses, Washington, D.C., 1965–67
- Coleson Townhouses, Reston, Virginia, 1966–67
- National Airport Metro station, Arlington County, Virginia, 1971
- Washington Square, Washington, D.C., 1987–88
Images for kids
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Washington Square on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C.
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