Seattle-based Best Practice Architecture has announced the promotion of Sarah Smith to partner, marking a new chapter for the firm as it enters its 15th year. Smith joins founding partner Ian Butcher and partner Kip Katich—expanding the firm’s leadership at a moment of continued growth and increasing engagement in commercial and hospitality work.
Smith joined Best Practice in 2018 after working at firms in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York, where she developed a strong foundation working on large-scale commercial and institutional projects. Drawn to Best Practice’s size and people-centered ethos, she found an environment that prioritizes creativity, close collaboration, and a more personal approach to design—qualities that have shaped her trajectory within the firm.
“Sarah immediately made an impact on the projects she was part of,” said Ian Butcher, founding partner. “She is confident, articulate, and a great designer. Her balance of rigor and fun is right in keeping with the ethos of Best Practice.”
Smith has played a central role in shaping Best Practice’s growing commercial and hospitality portfolio, bringing a collaborative and highly hands-on approach to each project. Working closely with clients, builders, fabricators, and local artisans, she helps translate ambitious ideas into deeply considered spaces that reflect the creativity and character of the communities they serve.
This approach is exemplified in Eye Eye, a multi-faceted eyewear concept that combines retail, medical office, and in-house production studio across multiple locations. In close collaboration with Eye Eye’s founder, Smith, and the Best Practice team have approached each endeavor as an opportunity to test, refine, and expand the brand’s identity through design. The evolving project highlights Smith’s ability to pair bold creative thinking with the coordination and craftsmanship required to bring complex ideas to life.
“The ability for us to impact people’s experience, bring a person’s idea to life, and help grow a local business and creative community through architecture is incredibly rewarding,” said Smith.
Smith’s promotion reflects Best Practice’s ongoing investment in leadership while reinforcing the collaborative, people-centered approach that has defined the firm over the past 15 years. Alongside Butcher and Katich, she will continue to guide the firm’s next chapter of growth—one rooted in thoughtful design, strong creative partnerships, and engaging spaces.
