December 19, 2023

Seattle architect Ito honored by AIA for socially conscious design

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Ito’s projects include permanent supportive housing community Bertha Pitts Campbell Place on First Hill …

Douglas Ito, managing principal of Seattle firm SMR Architects, has been awarded the 2024 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. This distinguished national honor is bestowed annually upon an architect or organization that champions and actively addresses social issues such as affordable housing, inclusiveness, or universal accessibility.

The board of directors and the strategic council of the American Institute of Architects selected Ito for this year's honor in recognition of his leadership in affordable housing and how his work embodies the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

In a press release, AIA celebrated Ito's 26-year career, during which time he has designed the entire spectrum of affordable housing, from shelters to multifamily apartments, “proving himself an ardent proponent of mission-driven projects that generate significant social impact and transform communities.”

Photos by William Wright Photography [enlarge]

… and the 57-unit Artspace in Mount Baker.

Ito joined SMR Architects after attending the master's program at the University of Washington and has been a key leader at the 39-person firm ever since. AIA highlighted his work designing housing for a range of low-income populations that include the formerly homeless, immigrants, and seniors.

The press release states that SMR has added more than 2,400 affordable housing units across Washington, many of which Ito navigated through the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard or LEED certification. These projects include Bertha Pitts Campbell Place, a 100-unit permanent supportive housing community on First Hill, which opened last June, and Artspace, a unique affordable housing building with 57 units for artists, located adjacent to the Mount Baker light rail station. Artspace opened in 2014.

In addition to designing affordable communities, Ito has a storied history supporting initiatives focused on social equity and ending homelessness. He has been a vocal advocate for Washington's most vulnerable residents as a member of the city of Tacoma's Affordable Housing Technical Advisory Group, as president of the AIA Washington Council's board of directors, and as a member of the Washington State Department of Commerce's Affordable Housing Advisory Board.

Photo courtesy of Housing Development Consortium [enlarge]

Ito is a longtime supporter of affordable housing initiatives.

He also served on the Housing Development Consortium's board for eight years, including through a pivotal moment in Seattle's history of funding affordable housing. As president of the board, Ito stewarded a successful campaign for the city's 2016 housing levy, a $290 million initiative that exceeded its goals of adding 2,150 new rental units and assisting 280 low-income homeowners. With that levy set to expire this year, Ito was asked to join the 2023 Housing Levy Committee as a co-chair and advocated for its successful renewal and expansion at $970 million.

Ito was also recognized for his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He leads SMR's efforts to diversify its own ranks as well as the consultants it partners with.

By receiving this award Ito has been elevated to AIA Fellow.

“I am honored to be selected for the 2024 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award and elevation to AIA Fellowship. It is wonderful to be recognized for work that has been a focus of my entire career at SMR Architects; expanding affordable housing options, sustainability, and accessible design,” Ito told the DJC. “I hope receiving (the award) brings increased visibility to the power of thoughtful, equity-centered design and sparks conversation on how we can continue improving access, dignity, and belonging through architecture. This recognition indicates the profession is moving in an encouraging direction. Still, more progress awaits, and I look forward to continuing my work expanding affordable and inclusive housing,” Ito added.

The Whitney M. Young Jr. Award has been given annually since 1972. It is named for civil rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr., who challenged architects to assume their professional responsibility to address pressing social issues.

“(Ito) shows that architecture and architects have come a long way from Whitney M. Young Jr.'s speech on the matter of affordable housing,” Tammie Sueirro, executive director of AIA Washington Council, wrote in a letter nominating Ito for the award. “Dedicating his career to eradicating homelessness by advocating for and designing affordable housing for those most vulnerable in our communities, he exhibits the activist, idealist nature of Whitney M. Young Jr.”