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