On July 4, 1976, Wayne Schmidt opened the doors of a new firm with a simple idea: if you put Owners first and do good work, the rest will follow. Schmidt Associates started as a one-man operation fueled by equal parts talent, determination, and optimism. Today, we are a community of designers: architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, planners, administrators, and problem-solvers, serving Owners across the region. That’s quite a journey.

You likely already know that a 50th anniversary is called the “Golden Anniversary,” but you may not know why. Gold earned the association because it’s a “noble metal,” meaning it doesn’t react when exposed to water, air, or even most acids. Gold stays beautiful even over a millennium. At the same time, it’s incredibly malleable, able to stretch and bend, to take on new forms as needed. It is useful enough to belong in our electronics and beautiful enough to be fine jewelry.

Over the last five decades, Schmidt has weathered recessions, embraced new technologies, added services and project types, navigated changing industries, and adapted to an ever-changing world. At the same time, we’ve stood 10 toes down on our values as we designed schools, restored landmarks, planned campuses, bolstered cultural institutions, strengthened communities, improved health care, and helped Owners solve challenges large and small. Along the way, we’ve celebrated victories, learned from mistakes, shared more than a few laughs, and consumed what can only be described as an impressive quantity of coffee. We’ve been flexible and dependable, beautiful and functional.

But anniversaries are not really about buildings, projects, or even years. They are about people. The individuals who took a chance on a young firm. The employees who built careers here, some bringing a century of Kentucky design legacy with them. The Owners who trusted us with their visions. The partners who helped bring ideas to life. They are about the friendships formed in project crits, the mentors who shared their wisdom, and the next generation already carrying our story forward.

At Schmidt Associates, we have never measured success solely by what we build. We have measured it by the relationships we create, the communities we strengthen, and the opportunities we provide for others to succeed through our work. The projects matter, of course. But the projects are about the people. That’s what Servant Leadership really looks like in practice.

As we celebrate this anniversary, I find myself grateful: grateful for Wayne’s vision, for everyone who helped shape the firm, and for our marvelous Owners and partners, each of you continuing to write the next chapter every day.

And while fifty years is certainly worth celebrating, I suspect Wayne would be more interested in talking about what comes next. So today, let’s take a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come.

Now, let’s get going on the next 50! Just like gold, true to our core values, and malleable enough to meet a future that challenges, inspires, and pushes us to adapt. We are ready.

Here’s to the next fifty years.

Sincerely,

Sarah Hempstead
CEO + Principal

Explore our 50th Anniversary activities here.