Author: Kiah Wagner

What Happens When Expertise Isn’t Enough? 

AI and the Future of Professional Services The expertise our industry is built on may no longer be a reliable differentiator. That sounds dystopian, and in many ways, it is. Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how knowledge is accessed, validated, and deployed. In a world where AI tools can generate code summaries, produce concept plans,…

Work Design Magazine Features Hannaford’s Home Office Renovation

The reimagining of the Home Office for Hannaford Supermarkets in Maine resulted in a connected, inclusive, and future-ready workplace for its 1,000 employees. Originally built in the 1970s as a Sears warehouse, the newly transformed hub is anchored by a multistory atrium with a monumental staircase, creating openness and encouraging collaboration and movement throughout the…

Optimizing Emergency Department Design: A Blueprint for Flexibility, Safety, and Resilience 

Emergency Departments (EDs) are the front doors to hospitals and the safety nets for communities. But with rising patient volumes, complex care needs, and increasing safety concerns, designing these critical spaces requires more than just meeting code. It demands smart, adaptable solutions that improve both patient experience and operational performance.  Understanding the Pressures on Today’s…

Bridging the Data Gap: How Custom Tools Transform A/E Design

Architecture and engineering are changing. The demand for high-quality design is still strong, but clients facing increasingly complex projects expect more. A well-structured BIM (Building Information Model) file used to produce 2D drawings is no longer enough, and the I in BIM – information – is not always complete or accessible. At the same time,…

The D3 Roster Dilemma and How Facilities Are Adapting

In the world of collegiate athletics, NCAA Division III (D3) schools often stand out for their commitment to balancing the academic and athletic needs of their student-athletes. But there’s another unique and often overlooked challenge these institutions face: roster size. With no cap on team sizes, D3 rosters often swell far beyond their Division I…

5 Steps to Campus Electrification: A Strategic Engineering Perspective

Campus electrification isn’t just a trend, it’s an essential part of the path toward decarbonization, climate resilience, and operational sustainability. But make no mistake: beneficial electrification is a long game. It requires vision, strategy, and a willingness to take measured steps today to ensure a more sustainable tomorrow. As institutions face aging infrastructure, growing demands…

Return to Trust: The Human Side of Return-to-Office Decisions

Since the online algorithms know me and my obsession with all things workplace so well, I can’t log on to any device or app without being bombarded by articles about Return to Office policies (RTOs) – and naturally, I read all of them! RTOs are a careful calculation of risk vs. reward for executive leaders….

Second Chances: Reimagining Big-Box Retail as Healthcare Hubs

The story of architecture is one of continuous evolution, where second chances breathe new life into spaces that have lost their original purpose. In today’s context, few building types are more emblematic of this opportunity than big-box stores. As of Q4 2024, the retail vacancy rate in the United States was 5.4% (Cushman & Wakefield…

My First 40 Years  

I joined SMRT in 1984, after my first year of architecture school in New York City. Having spent my childhood summers in Maine,  it seemed like a good idea to get out of the big city and find a summer internship in Portland.  The founding partners of SMRT, Paul Stevens, Dana Morton, Duane Rose, and…