Kari Smith

Kari Smith is a Professor and Director of the School of Architecture and Design at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette within the College of the Arts, where she also serves as Associate Dean for Architecture & Design Arts.

Education

• Master of Architecture, Rice University, Houston, TX

Research Interests

Smith critically engages architecture to improve social-ecological conditions with emphasis on water-related challenges. Her work integrates systemic resilience thinking and trans-disciplinary collaborations to develop sustainable design solutions addressing environmental vulnerabilities. As a LEED Accredited Professional, she bridges ecological theory with practical architectural applications focused on adaptive systems.

Professional Context

• Administrative leadership in academic architecture education
• Specialization in water-sensitive design and climate resilience