After 15 years working in practice, Sam Smith pivoted towards government work and sustainability, inspired by permaculture gardens and creating positive change. Today, Sam’s architectural skills are never far away – creativity, problem solving, and visualising what is possible.
Currently I am the Manager, Sustainability Advisory Services for Development Victoria. What I enjoy most about my role is that I get to influence and support project teams to get the best sustainability outcomes for the projects across a portfolio of state-significant projects.
Turning point
My journey from architecture to sustainability was not specifically planned. I was a practising architect with a yearning to do more sustainable projects inspired from permaculture training. When the GFC happened and architecture work dried up, it was a natural opportunity to pivot and try something different – to follow my sustainability-side.
Back then, around 2008–2009, I had two small children and lived regionally. Jobs with sustainability in the title were rare. In fact, sustainability, and permaculture in particular, was once viewed as quite alternative or fringe.
I had been doing a lot of volunteer work and facilitated the building of a permaculture community garden in our town. Around this time a three-day a week job came up at a small council nearby for a Sustainability Co-ordinator. I got the job based on my volunteer work and thought it would be a good thing to do. It would fulfil the yearning to work in sustainability whilst also sitting out the GFC with the plan to return to architecture when the economy bounced back.
The other thing that happened in the last 15–20 years is the world of digital graphics exploded, from AutoCAD to a full range of other digital modelling tools. Graphics is a whole new world and a second generation of this is happening now with AI. I got through my undergraduate degrees without opening a computer (except the Computer Lab and AutoCAD 101 electives) and my interest in architecture began because I liked to draw, so I did accidentally drop these skills or never kept up pace. This is something that may be a barrier to returning to architecture. It very much feels like learning these skills comes naturally to younger architects.
Skills, knowledge & experience
I still use my architectural skills every day – especially the critical thinking and creativity needed to understand problems and develop solutions to get the right outcome. I also draw on my ability to understand and interpret client or stakeholder needs, and build the strong relationships required.
Other architecture skills include brief writing and scoping options, design review process, understanding the planning and construction process, and reading and reviewing drawings to make recommendations.
Probably the most useful skill is creativity, holistic thinking and visualising what is possible. Also, I feel like I’m fluent in two languages – architecture and sustainability – and that helps enormously when working with teams.
Challenges & opportunities
Sustainability and architecture go hand in glove with each other, so there weren’t too many unexpected obstacles. I suppose one challenge is that, in architecture, you’re a jack-of-all-trades – but in more bureaucratic settings, and when working client-side with current project management practices, you are expected to ‘stay in your swim lane’. This is something I have always struggled with if I can see a different way to do something.
I actually kept my hand in architecture for some time by doing private work and tutoring in design at a university. I think this probably made the transition easier. It felt very natural.
I feel like I didn’t find or create opportunities. I think opportunities found me. Fifteen years later I’m still in sustainability. The opportunities that have come my way and the career path that I’ve had has been extremely rewarding. I have probably had more opportunities in sustainability than if I had stayed purely in practice. Maybe that is because I was an early adopter of sustainability.
Advice for others
If you are interested in a similar pivot, do all the training you can – Green Star/ Living Building Challenge/ Passivehouse/ WELL. Go to free webinars and events. There are some great people out there doing some amazing things. Learn from them. Sustainability is a rapidly evolving space. Become a lifelong learner. Whilst I have dropped some skills, sustainability has provided me with the opportunity to evolve and re-invent in a space that does feel very meaningful.
Perspective on architecture & the future
I spent 15 years in architecture and have now done another 15 years in sustainability. I still very much wish I was a practising architect. I miss the creativity of design (and can’t quite believe I’ve been out of the game as long as I have). I would love to return design-side at some point, with a combination of architecture knowledge and my whole new suite of sustainability skills and experiences.
I think going forward in a low-carbon future, the profession will have to adapt as we focus on sufficiency and on making better use of buildings and materials already in circulation instead of building new. Sustainability skills and knowledge will be much needed – adaptive re-use, circularity of materials, re-using buildings and building components, low carbon materials, and investing in nature regeneratively in projects.
Final word
Architecture is so close to my heart and my first love. I remain a registered architect and still refer to myself as one, as the education and registration process was hard won! I still dream of returning design-side one day.
I’d also like to say to younger architects that you are in the perfect position to be implementing sustainability into projects without a wholesale career change. Be future focused – what you are working on currently will be in the belly of its life in a climate-altered future, so be brave. Don’t wait to be instructed to do something. If you can see a more sustainable way of doing something or a better material choice, put it on the table. It might not always land but you never know and you might get a win for the project (and the planet). Always, always be advocating for better!
Sam Smith is currently the Manager of Sustainability Advisory Services for Development Victoria. She is a registered architect who has been working in sustainability, community impact, and climate change programs over the last 30 years. She is passionate about projects that drive positive change – both environmentally and socially – and her experience spans architecture, local and state government, the tertiary sector and nonprofit organisations. As an advocate for nature, biophilic and regenerative design Sam is GBCA GSAP, a LFIA Living Futures Affiliate and participates in the Melbourne Regenerative Design Forum Working Group and the LFIA Biophilic Design Initiative.
Photos: Evan Maclean, LFIA Symposium 2023
