WASHINGTON – December 15, 2023 – The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) today honored Douglas Ito, FAIA, with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award 2024.  

Established in 1972, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award annually honors an architect or organization that champions a range of social issues.  

Ito is the managing principal of Seattle’s SMR Architects, where over the course of 26 years he has designed the entire spectrum of affordable housing, from shelters to single-family homes, proving himself an ardent proponent of mission-driven projects that generate significant social impact and transform communities. Ito joined SMR’s architectural staff shortly after completing his master’s program at the University of Washington. He has remained an essential leader at the 39-person firm, which has a sterling reputation for affordable housing, historic preservation, and sustainable design across Washington state. Harnessing his considerable experience working with diverse communities, Ito has designed housing for a range of low-income populations that include the formerly homeless, immigrants, and seniors. Ito ensures they have access to beautiful and safe buildings that greatly enhance their lives, no matter the budget. The firm has added more than 2,400 affordable housing units to the state, many of which Ito navigated through LEED certification. 

Recognizing that many of the firm’s clients are members of underrepresented communities, Ito leads SMR’s efforts to diversify its own ranks as well as the consultants it partners with. The firm’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion is an ongoing process, one that began with investigating the barriers people of color face in seeking to enter the profession. SMR continues to support its clients’ educational programs and regularly offers opportunities for young interns to shadow its architects.  

While service is embedded in SMR’s mission, Ito also supports initiatives focused on social equity and ending homelessness. In addition to his service on AIA Washington Council, where he is president of the chapter’s board of directors, he has been a vocal advocate for Washington’s most vulnerable residents as a member of the city of Tacoma’s Affordable Housing Technical Advisory Group and the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board.  

Perhaps most notably, he served on the Housing Development Consortium’s board for eight years, including through a pivotal moment in Seattle’s history of funding affordable housing. As president of the board, Ito was instrumental in stewarding a successful campaign for the city’s 2016 housing levy, a $290 million initiative that exceeded its goals of adding 2,150 new rental units and assisting 280 low-income homeowners. With that levy set to expire this year, Ito was asked to join the 2023 Housing Levy Committee and will advocate for its renewal and expansion as campaign co-chair. 

Visit AIA’s website to learn more about Ito’s selection as the 2024 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award recipient. 

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