Down-to-Earth Architecture

Designs by David Smitherman

Most of my career was spent with NASA in the space architecture field, working on space station and future projects for a human return to the Moon and eventually Mars. Prior to my NASA work I did work as an architect and see some of my architectural work built, and have had the opportunity to produce designs for many other projects that were not built. Here are some of those more “down-to-earth” projects that I like.

This sanctuary for Reformed Presbyterian Church was designed in 1983 and still looks pretty good today. It was designed as an addition to the Evangel Christian School later called Westminster Christian Academy. Today it has been repurposed as part of a large complex for the Downtown Rescue Mission. The sanctuary structure was designed for a balcony addition that has not been built. It is located at the end of Evangel Drive on Executive Drive in Huntsville Alabama.

The Whitesport Center is a medical office building that is still in use today as it was designed in 1984. It needs some cleanup but still looks pretty good considering its age. It is located on Whitesport Drive adjacent to Crestwood Hospital in Huntsville Alabama.

This 1986 building is still in use today as an insurance office, but needs updating to restore it to its original condition. It was an interesting project because it is actually built over an older building and basically tripled the space available for offices. It is located on Jordan Lane in Huntsville Alabama.

The Fort Morgan Hotel and Conference Center was designed in 1980 for a site along the gulf beach in Gulf Shores Alabama near Fort Morgan. In plan it reflects the pentagon star shape of the old fort. The project was not built but was interesting because it was considered as part of the redevelopment of the area after hurricane Frederick devastated the gulf coast in 1979. The model was built and perspective constructed by hand with the drawing completed in pen & ink.

This Lake Guntersville Hotel and Conference Center was designed in 1982 for a site on Guntersville Lake across from downtown Guntersville Alabama. It was not built in part because the developer was counting on obtaining a liquor license for conference and club operations even though the city was located in a dry county. Interior and exterior perspectives were constructed by hand and drawings completed in pencil.

This residential addition was designed in 1982 and published in the September 1984 edition of Southern Living magazine. It enclosed the front porch of an existing ranch style house to enlarge the living space inside. It is located on Westminster Way in Huntsville Alabama. The images are from Southern Living Magazine.

This house was designed in 1983 and still looks nice today. It features a large open living area with unique corner windows to take in the mountain side views, and a large garage and workshop in the back. The house is located on Chandler Drive in Huntsville Alabama. The image is from Google Street View.

This house was designed in 1985 and appears to be in excellent condition. It features an overall design reminiscent of the work by Frank Lloyd Wright. The original owner had been raised in a Wright designed home and requested something similar. It features the overall proportioning, scale and some detailing that might be found in Wright’s prairie style homes. It is located on Covemont Drive in Huntsville Alabama and the image is from Google Street View.

After 1986 I focused on a career in space architecture helping with the planning of the International Space Station and future missions to the Moon and Mars. My time for architectural work was limited but did include the following two designs done as part of international competitions.

This residential high-rise building is called Greenhouse Tower and was designed in 2014 as a 40-story mixed-use building for a site in New York City. It features commercial space at street level, child care and gym facilities at mid-height, and a green house with pool and recreational facilities at the roof level. The drawings were created using the SketchUp 3D computer modeling program.

This urban development proposal is a 2015 design for redevelopment of an industrial area into new residential, commercial and public park lands. The site was located in Kenosha Wisconsin, north of Chicago near Lake Michigan. The drawings were created using the SketchUp 3d computer modeling program.

Notes and References:

Story, designs, photographs and slides by David Smitherman with some images from Google Street View and others as noted.