Community Highlights: Meet Tiffany Smith of MCSA Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Smith. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Firm Profile/ History M. C. Smith & Associates, Inc. was formed in March 1977 by Michael C. Smith. The firm provides award-winning Landscape Architectural and Architectural services. Principals include Kathleen G. Waters, RA; Jolanta Stecka, RA; Melinda R. Whitten, RLA; and Tiffany A. Smith, RLA, President. Michael C. Smith is the firm’s Creative Director. On March 15, 2017, MCSA Group, Inc. (M.C. Smith Associates and Architectural Group, Inc.) turned 40, and we became a Woman-Owned Business. 

The firm’s office is located in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. MCSA Group, Inc. provides Architectural and Landscape Architectural Services for the following types of projects: Public Housing; Federal, State, and Municipal Government; Park and Recreation Architecture; Sports Facilities, Historical Rehabilitation; Private and Commercial Buildings; Streetscapes and Plazas; Community and Neighborhood Parks; Waterfront Parks; Sports and Athletic Facilities; Boardwalks, Decks, and Bridges; Trails and Linear Parks; Playgrounds; Site and Street Lighting; Signage Design; Site Planning; Community Recreation Plans; Grant Applications and Facility Assessments. 

In addition to our professional staff of Architects and Landscape Architects, MCSA Group, Inc. has excellent consultants for specialized portions of specific projects. These consultants extend our team capabilities by providing such disciplines as: surveying, soils analysis, structural engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, and traffic engineering. 

By offering a full range of professional services through the entire planning, design, engineering, and development process, MCSA Group provides each client with comprehensive services. Our diversity ensures a responsiveness to the wide range of issues and concerns facing each client. Our experience enables us to develop solutions that are creative, yet sensitive to each project’s specific goals and objectives. 

Our professional services are based upon the principle that if a project cannot be appropriately implemented within mutually agreed-upon budget parameters, then we have not succeeded. This follows that we do not believe that design principles, as well as sound engineering, need be compromised in any manner. We have demonstrated that outstanding, award-winning projects can be achieved without needing to be designed beyond budget limitations. 

Our construction documents for every project are complete and comprehensive, detailing all components and systems of the construction. Our plans provide contractors a solid base for bidding, resulting in excellent bids. Construction based upon our plans is completed with minimal change orders and in accordance with the established schedule. We provide complete construction administration for all projects. 

We practice a high level of sustainable design and believe that both facility development and environmental conservation & preservation can be structured side-by-side and, if properly designed and implemented, will enhance each other. 

Our clients, as end users, are most often members of the public. The public facilities and spaces that we design optimize individual and collective experiences, providing positive and enjoyable outcomes for all users. We strive to optimize designs that are easily maintained, have long life cycles, and do not overly tax Owner’s budgets for maintenance, management or support. 

I began working for M.C. Smith in middle school during the summers and breaks until I attended Michigan State University. I worked for the Department of Natural Resources during my college career. My first job after graduating was at Eagle Point Software. I left there and began working as a staff Landscape Architect for M.C. Smith and Associates in 2001 and became the president in 2017. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The great recession of 2008 brought many challenges but taught us that a lean, highly experienced, highly qualified team can produce the same or more projects than a larger team. 

In addition, in Michigan, the governor essentially shut the state down during Covid, and we are still recovering from the project delays and increased costs. 

We’ve been impressed with MCSA Group, Inc. (M.C. Smith and Associates), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In addition, I also host a monthly gathering of all the women architects and landscape architects in the West Michigan Area and am part of a committee that organizes a gala annually for women in the construction-related fields. We give the proceeds to scholarships for women in trade schools. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mcsagroup.com
• Instagram: mcsmithassociates
• Facebook: M.C. Smith Associates and Architectural Group, Inc.
• Linkedin: M. C. Smith Associates