Douglas Ito, FAIA

Douglas Ito, FAIA

Having designed the entire spectrum of affordable housing, from shelters to multi-family homes, Douglas Ito, FAIA, has proven himself an ardent proponent of mission-driven projects that generate significant social impact and transform communities. As a managing principal of Seattle’s SMR Architects, Ito has, over 26 years, been instrumental in projects that make real his belief that all people deserve good design and housing that confront the racial, social, and political injustices that continue to pervade society.

Ito joined SMR’s architectural staff shortly after attending the master’s program at the University of Washington. He has remained an essential leader at the 39-person firm, which has a sterling reputation for affordable housing, historic preservation, and sustainable design across Washington state. Harnessing his considerable experience working with diverse communities, Ito has designed housing for low-income populations that include the formerly homeless, immigrants, and seniors. In all of his work, Ito ensures those populations have access to beautiful and safe buildings that enhance their lives, no matter the budget. In total, the firm has helped Washington add more than 2,400 affordable housing units, many of which he has navigated through ESDS or LEED certification.

Recognizing that many of the firm’s clients are members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) or LGBTQ+ communities, Ito leads SMR’s efforts to diversify its own ranks as well as the consultants it partners with. He envisions the firm’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion as an ongoing process that begins with investigating the barriers facing people of color seeking to enter the profession. SMR continues to support its clients’ educational programs by regularly offering internship opportunities for young students. Additionally, largely due to its positive and collaborative environment, the firm’s staff comprises nearly 50% women and 30% BIPOC professionals. Its leadership boasts a similar composition.

Ito’s ethos is evident in projects such as the Artspace Mt. Baker Lofts, a strategic investment made by the city of Seattle to create equitable and sustainable housing in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the Puget Sound region. Sitting next to a light rail station, the transit-oriented project offers 84,000 square feet of mixed-use, low-income housing with interior work environments suited for artists. Ito and his team worked closely with the nearby Lighthouse for the Blind to ensure the firm’s design provided suitable access to the station, and members of the project team participated in a blind simulation to support its work in shaping the public spaces surrounding the project. Additionally, Ito’s outreach with BIPOC organizations resulted in a wide range of commercial tenants that include a Vietnamese bilingual preschool, a Capoeira studio, and a halal grocery store.

While service is embedded in SMR’s mission, Ito also seeks opportunities where his voice can further support social equity and ending homelessness. In addition to his service on AIA Washington Council, where he was president of the chapter’s Board of Directors, he has been a vocal advocate for Washington’s most vulnerable as a member of the city of Tacoma’s Affordable Housing Technical Advisory Group and the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board.

Perhaps most notably, he served on the Housing Development Consortium’s board for eight years through a pivotal moment in Seattle’s housing levy history, a cornerstone for funding affordable housing in the city. As president of the board, Ito was instrumental in stewarding 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 a historic $970 million. 

“Douglas shows that architecture and architects have come a long way from Whitney M. Young Jr.’s speech on the matter of affordable housing,” wrote Tammie Sueirro, executive director of AIA Washington Council, in a letter nominating Ito for the Whitney M. Young Jr. 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.”