keernsmith is an emerging architecture practice based in San Francisco, CA. Established in 2017 by partners Ryan Keerns and Kristen Smith, the practice is an outgrowth of a decade-long collaboration between its partners that spans the globe.We believe that architecture has the power and responsibility to create meaningful experiences for everyone. As such, we design spaces of all types, scales and budgets intended to engage both site and user in an active, participatory dialogue. With an ongoing interest in the relationships between personal and public space as described in architecture, our work explores ways in which geometry, scale, organization and materiality can expand one’s relationship with place in profound and, sometimes, surprising ways.Our process is open and fluid, always in search of the unique potential of each project. Working closely with clients and collaborators, we combine serious research with playful experimentation, digital processes with traditional craft and knowledge of the past with projections for the future.

At CCA, Kristen teaches design studios and design media courses to undergraduate architecture, graduate architecture and interior design students. Generally a part of the core curriculum, her design studios focus on medium-large scale institutional and/or commercial projects while the design media courses take on digital craft and story-telling.Courses taught: M.Arch Studio 2, Interior Design Studio 3, Integrated Building Design Studio, Interior Design Studio 2, B.Arch Studio 2, Design Media 2, Design Media 3

Pacific Primary is a progressive, community centered pre-school located in San Francisco. Kristen's involvement began as co-chair of the maintenance committee where she leveraged her design and project management background to provide strategic planning for the facilities of two campus school. Kristen served as co-President of the Board during the 2019-2020 school year.

In her time at Min Day, Kristen lead projects from conception to realization including modest residential re-models, large-scale commercial interiors, ground-up multi-use developments and progressive institutional interventions.

At UC Berkeley, Kristen led core design studios in the undergraduate architecture program.Courses taught: ARCH 100A, ARCH 100B

Kristen gained much of her professional experience working on medium to large scale institutional and commercial projects while at BCJ. Notable clients include Apple, Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania.• In-house consulting for design competitions including concept development, design workflow, representation, story-telling and presentation graphics.• Concept development, schematic design and design development for several international Apple Flagship stores.

Upon graduation, Kristen was invited back to PennDesign to teach ARCH 521 (Visual Studies), a required course directed at first year Masters of Architecture students focusing on digital techniques, representation and narrative through drawing, model-making and video.

While a graduate student, Kristen managed NAO’s contribution for the now infamous Ordos 100 housing project curated by Ai Wei Wei and Herzog deMeuron. She later collaborated with NAO on the design and coordination of Anne Tyng’s solo exhibit at Philadelphia’s ICA and the Graham Foundation in Chicago.