At Smith + Andersen, we prioritize putting our values first through every business and personal transaction. We abide by the ethical guidelines published by Professional Engineering Associations, and invest time and resources into associations and groups that take the industry further. Whether that be through scholarships for underrepresented groups in the field of engineering, or through hands-on participation in technical committees to contribute to new standards, every commitment made on behalf of the firm will be honoured in full and without qualification.

That’s a commitment we make to our clients, our peers, and to ourselves.

Leaving issues unresolved is not an option for us. That’s why Smith + Andersen excels at highly-collaborative delivery methods – we like to add value as early as possible. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), Design-Build (DB), Design-Build-Finance-Maintain (DBFM) were all new delivery methods at one point, but for us these simply built upon the way we were already working. We prefer all interactions with all contacts to be courteous, friendly, and respectful, and aim to meet their needs and concerns. Fair unbiased attitudes in all colleague, client, and contractor interactions – that’s the Smith + Andersen way. Coincidentally, this also makes Smith + Andersen a great place to work.

Every person at Smith + Andersen – from our Principals, to our Designers, to our Administrative teams – is responsible for providing a positive, constructive client experience. It’s our clients that have a vision, and we are here to help them achieve that vision. We pride ourselves on “thinking outside of the box”, and providing the kind of flexibility that can make all the difference on a project. We know that we are one small part of the team, but we work hard to add value. Prioritizing long-term relationships with clients that share our vision and mission for the built environment in Canada is our passion, and our commitment to helping clients achieve this vision, in turn, helps us learn A LOT along the way.

From the very beginning, engineering excellence has been central to Smith + Andersen. Truthfully, everything has built around that. This is a place where smart people excel because, at the end of the day, our work is what sets us apart. Practical yet innovative, knowledgeable yet open-minded, our approach is what has taken us far. We embrace continuous learning and mentorship of our employees. Everyone who works here isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves. We see ourselves as active thought leaders in the built environment. 

Quality is at the heart of everything we do. We create work that we can be proud of, and strive for excellence in all aspects of our work. The highest standards of quality, accuracy, performance, and presentation are our priority in all designs and documentation. We also believe that true quality comes from embracing a variety of opinions and perspectives, and not being afraid to raise the bar. Our company structure is built around mentorship, not management, and we recognize that the professional development of an individual contributes to the growth of the firm.

Dieter Rams said it best: “Good design is sustainable design.” As engineers and designers, we believe that we have an obligation to encourage responsible design that will positively affect the environment. We make it a priority to be knowledgeable of sustainable standards, and to actively provide feedback surrounding where the industry needs to take things further. Sustainable practices are built right into our work environment, and we look at everything – from how we operate our offices, to how we advise clients – through the lens of sustainability.

It would be fair to say that Smith + Andersen operates less like an engineering firm, and more like a tech firm. Our engineering teams do not have traditional managers, and we do not operate in a “hierarchy”. Every level of the organization – from our co-op students to our Principals – is given access to everyone else. This might sound like chaos, but what it actually translates to is true empowerment. Staff are given the tools to exceed, and are challenged to take those tools further.