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2000 - 2010
World events continue to shape the landscape affecting construction and design market. The public and animal health focus of the 1980s and 1990s turned to the critical and urgent need for security as a worldwide priority after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Smith Carter and its strategic partners remain market leaders for significant projects related to biodefense and emergency preparedness work. As the world’s scientific community worked together, international collaboration and the unique nuances of managing the design and construction process for multi-million dollar projects with high stakes were the driving force for the firm and characterized the projects awarded. Just as the demand grew for biodefence and emergency preparedness work so did the requirements in the Security and Defence markets. Smith Carter had long been a specialist in the Defence and military infrastructure market in Canada, and in 2002, in order to better respond to new order of things, the firm decided to establish its Security and Defence core team in Ottawa. This office has subsequently developed a reputation for being a highly creative, technically knowledgeable firm with extensive knowledge of Canadian Forces procurement practices and operations. Again, to better service its clients in Alberta and the west and meet the changing demand, Smith Carter established a presence in Calgary in 2001.
The firm lost its charismatic leader and CEO, Jim Orzechowski in 2003. “JO” played an instrumental role in the molding of the firm and took it from a regional presence to a solid international platform. Scott Stirton, a lead architect on many of the firm’s landmark science projects and then the head of the firm’s operation in the USA, was named CEO in (2003). The firm lost another of its pioneers when original founder Ernie Smith died in 2004.
Since that time, the firm has continued to mature and evolve, anticipating and proactively positioning itself for a leading place in each of the markets it has selected. This decade saw the growth of the firm from about 80 people in 2000 to more than 170 today. A commitment to integrated, intelligent and sustainable design was symbolized by the construction of SC3 in 2004, the firm’s headquarters in Winnipeg. It is regarded as a flagship in work environments and sustainable design and was awarded a Governor General’s Medal in Architecture in 2006, the highest honour given in Canada, as well as LEED® Platinum status in 2009. The 49,500 square-foot building accommodates the firm's growing international business and demonstrates its innovative application of advanced technologies, materials and techniques that contribute to environmental sustainability and development of the firm's human resource potential.
The firm continued to garner landmark projects including the $278 million, energy efficient corporate headquarters for Manitoba Hydro, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
While these incredible design opportunities flourished locally, the firm continued its work on large scale, technically complex projects in the science and health sectors around the world.
Smith Carter has adapted to the world economic crunch and tightening of credit. The rise of Private Public Partnerships and the resulting impact onhow projects are designed, built and managed complement the firm’s integrated approach.
The ability to respond to the world's economic climate and to client's ever changing and ever challenging requirements is only one factor in the success of Smith Carter, another major factor that cannot be overlooked is the calibre of the people who make up Smith Carter. From 1947 through to today, the firm has sought out individuals who are creative, highly intelligent and have a exceptional commitment and passion for the built environment.