May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect on how our environments affect emotional well-being. For students, the design of a school is far more than just walls and windows; it’s a space that can either support or hinder their development, comfort, and mental health. Dixon Middle School in Onslow County, North Carolina, is a standout example of how student-centered architecture can foster a sense of safety, engagement, and community.

Students at the Center of Design

The story of Dixon Middle School’s design is rooted in collaboration—not just between architects and administrators, but with the students themselves. Even before the first sketches were drawn, students were involved. A math teacher at the original Dixon Middle School challenged her class to design their ideal school as a project. Their ideas—complete with hand-drawn sketches, models, and thoughtful narratives—inspired core elements of the final design, such as courtyards and collaboration spaces.

When the design team from Smith Sinnett Architecture visited the students to see their ideas, they didn’t just listen—they invited them into the professional design process. Students later toured the architecture office to review early design concepts and offer feedback. Their involvement didn’t stop there: equipped with custom hard hats, students visited the site during construction, participated in the groundbreaking, and even toured the finished school as high schoolers, seeing their ideas brought to life.

A Building That Promotes Mental Well-Being

The final design of Dixon Middle School supports mental health and wellness in several key ways:

• Collaborative Learning Spaces: The layout includes multiple “nodes” or “bullpens” designed for breakout sessions, small group work, and informal gathering. These adaptable spaces give students autonomy and promote project-based learning.
• Access to Nature: Constructed wetlands and natural site features not only enhanced the environmental sustainability of the campus, but also created opportunities for outdoor learning and restorative moments in nature—known to reduce stress and increase focus.
• Daylighting and Acoustics: East-west orientation of classroom wings, strategic window placement, and acoustic treatments throughout the school create a bright, quiet, and comfortable environment—crucial for concentration and emotional regulation.
• Safety by Design: Thoughtful site planning includes natural barriers, a single point of entry, and secure internal circulation. Security elements are integrated into the landscape, balancing student safety with a non-institutional, welcoming feel.
• Flexible, Student-Friendly Spaces: From soft seating in nooks along classroom corridors to multi-use spaces like a dining hall that doubles as a performance venue, every area was designed with student comfort, flexibility, and engagement in mind.

The Long-Term Impact

By actively engaging students in the design process and prioritizing spaces that support learning, exploration, and well-being, Dixon Middle School has become more than a building—it’s a community. The design process empowered students, and the resulting environment helps them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Dixon Middle School stands as a reminder that when we build with students rather than just for them, we create environments that are not only functional, but transformative.

This week, we reflect with gratitude and sadness on the life of John Llewelyn Hitch, a longtime partner of Smith Sinnett Architecture, who passed away surrounded by family and loved ones.

John played a pivotal role in shaping our firm and the communities we serve. Over the course of his career, he brought a thoughtful and enduring approach to design, leaving his mark on a wide range of projects—from K-12 and higher education facilities to parks and recreation, military, commercial, and residential work. His dedication to functionality, community, and craft helped define our firm’s ethos from the beginning. Some of John’s notable repeat clients include William Peace University, the Town of Apex, and the Town of Morrisville, among others. Notable projects include the Kerr Lake State Park’s Campgrounds, Jordan Lake Visitor Center, Pilot Mountain State Park, Creedmoor Elementary School, Morrisville Town Hall, Apex Community Center, and William Peace University’s Little Theater.

Beyond his work at Smith Sinnett, John’s impact reached across North Carolina. He served for many years on the North Carolina Building Code Council, helping to ensure safety, innovation, and integrity in the built environment statewide.

John retired from the firm in 2015, but his legacy continues to shape our work and culture. Those who knew him remember not just his design acumen, but his generosity of spirit, deep commitment to mentorship, and unwavering belief in architecture’s power to serve others.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and we honor his remarkable contributions to our profession and to the communities he served.

You can read more about John’s life here: John Hitch Obituary

Smith Sinnett Architecture President Rhonda Angerio was honored to participate in the recent review for NC State University’s ARC 302 undergraduate studio. This intensive four-week project challenged third-year architecture students to design a pre-K building for the Our Lady of Lourdes campus in Raleigh—a site known for its tight constraints and complex context.

Rhonda joined a distinguished panel of reviewers including Roger Cannon with Cannon Architects and Elizabeth Caliendo with Skinner Farlow Kirwan Architecture, and would like to extend her sincere thanks to Vinny Petrarca and Katherine Hogan for the invitation to be a part of this meaningful experience. The student work was thoughtful, well-developed, and reflective of the energy and dedication that define this next generation of architects. Congratulations to the entire class on a job well done!

ARC 302 is a core design studio at NC State’s College of Design, emphasizing the integration of technical systems—including structure, enclosure, environmental control, and energy efficiency—into the architectural design process.

We were thrilled to support such an important academic endeavor, and we look forward to seeing these students shape the future of the built environment.

At Smith Sinnett Architecture, we believe great design can bring people together—and the Apex Senior Center is a perfect example of that mission in action. Recently featured in Suburban Living magazine, the Center is proving to be much more than its name suggests. It’s not just a space for older adults—it’s a true community hub that serves residents of all ages.

A Place for Everyone

While the Apex Senior Center was originally designed with seniors in mind, the Town of Apex and local residents have embraced the building as a multipurpose space that supports intergenerational connection, wellness, creativity, and lifelong learning. From yoga and Zumba classes to art workshops, tech tutoring, and social events, the center is alive with activity every day of the week.

Our design approach focused on functionality, flexibility, and warmth—creating a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable, inspired, and connected. Natural light, thoughtful circulation, and adaptable spaces make the building ideal for a wide variety of programs and gatherings.

Community-Centered Design

As highlighted in Suburban Living’s article, the Apex Senior Center has become a cornerstone of the community, offering a space that encourages interaction, growth, and support. We’re proud to have collaborated with the Town of Apex to bring this vision to life and to see how the building has evolved to meet the needs of its growing and diverse population.

Recognized and Celebrated

Being featured in Suburban Living magazine is an exciting moment for our team. It validates the importance of designing public spaces that are not only functional but also inclusive and inspiring. We’re honored to see the Apex Senior Center recognized as a model for community-focused architecture.

See the Full Article

Want to learn more about how the Apex Senior Center is serving the Town of Apex in new and exciting ways?
📖 Read the full article here

Smith Sinnett Architecture is excited to welcome Greta Modlin as our new Marketing Director. She brings years of experience in branding, communications, and marketing.

Greta has led creative teams to develop strong brand strategies and campaigns across digital and print platforms. Most recently, she was the Branding & Communications Director at Bob Barker Company, where she helped grow the company’s brand and online presence. Earlier in her career, she worked in the architecture and engineering industry, focusing on business development and outreach.

Now returning to this field, Greta is ready to lead our marketing efforts with fresh ideas and a strong understanding of our firm. We are excited to see how she will help shape our brand and support our mission.

Please join us in welcoming Greta to the Smith Sinnett team!

Smith Sinnett Architecture is proud to announce our award for CSI Raleigh-Durham’s Organizational Certificate of Appreciation.

Our firm prides itself on fostering meaningful community connections through thoughtful, sustainable design solutions that shape vibrant public spaces and we hope to continue to give back to the state of North Carolina through our work.

We want to congratulate one of our Architects, Allison Harris, on joining the AIA Triangle Design Awards Task Force.

Allison is proud to have joined the AIA Triangle Design Awards Task Force, a program that recognizes excellence in architectural design throughout the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina metropolitan area.

Project Architect

Smith Sinnett Architecture is seeking Project Architects to join our growing team in Raleigh, NC.

Characteristics of an ideal candidate:
– Passionate, resourceful & creative, eager to learn & expand expertise.
– Organized & thorough, with strong attention to detail.
– Professionally driven & ambitious, with a good sense of humor.
– Excellent interpersonal communication abilities, both written & verbal.
– Self-motivated designer who thrives in an open studio setting.
– Strong physical & digital representation skills.

Responsibilities:
– Design & manage a wide range of projects through all phases of design & construction.
– Collaborate with design staff to produce accurate drawings & specifications.
– Coordinate project efforts between SSA staff & consultants.
– Prepare & present project concepts, diagrams, & models for owner review.
– Work with firm leaders to achieve a high level of design quality & exceptional client service.

Qualifications:
– Professional degree in Architecture
– 5 to 10 years of experience
– Architectural registration and LEED Accreditation preferred
– Proficient in Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, & Sketchup

We offer competitive salary & benefit packages, schedule flexibility, continuing education opportunities, and career mentoring. Smith Sinnett Architecture is a diverse, woman-owned firm, and an equal opportunity employer.

If you are interested in joining us, please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and abridged portfolio to Jay Sikes, AIA [jsikes@smithsinnett.com].

We hope to hear from you!