AUBURN, ALABAMA — Seay, Seay & Litchfield, P.C. (SS&L Architects) is proud to announce that Drew Haley Smith, a native of Auburn, Alabama, has become the youngest female licensed architect in the United States. At just 23 years old, Drew Haley completed all the requirements to be a licensed architect, an accomplishment she completed over six years sooner than the average architect according to the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB).
Drew Haley graduated with honors in 2023 from Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design & Construction (CADC). She earned dual degrees in Architecture and Interior Architecture from Auburn’s nationally recognized architecture program. She currently works in the Auburn branch office of SS&L Architects where she has managed projects totaling upwards of $173M.
Drew Haley completed the rigorous, six-part Architecture Registration Examination (ARE) and Architectural Experience Program (AXP) in just one year following her graduation from Auburn University—an extraordinary feat considering that the average time to licensure is about eight years according to NCARB.
This rapid success can be attributed in part to the experience she gained at Auburn University as well as the robust support provided by the SS&L Academy, which offers resources and guidance to aspiring architects within the firm. Auburn’s CADC is known for producing graduates with some of the highest ARE pass rates in the country, thanks to dedicated faculty members such as David Hinson, Associate Dean and Professor, and Mindy Walden, Career Services Specialist. Auburn architecture students are heavily encouraged to proactively seek firms that invest in the mentorship and development of their employees.
Before graduation, Drew Haley was fortunate to gain experience at several architecture firms across Alabama in addition to her internships at SS&L Architects. She volunteered as a Teacher’s Assistant, DBIA Competition Team Leader, AIAS Director and Fundraiser, and CADC Ambassador. She also participated in Auburn’s Rural Studio Program and Interior Architecture Program. At Rural Studio, Drew Haley gained hands-on experience with real-world construction problems and solutions, and the Auburn Interior Architecture Program gave her a path forward to become a licensed Interior Designer. Each of these experiences played a vital role in helping her become the youngest female architect in the country.
ABOUT SEAY, SEAY & LITCHFIELD ARCHITECTS
Delivering Quality by Design for half a century, Seay, Seay & Litchfield Architects is a design-oriented firm grounded in exceptional client service. Based in Montgomery, Alabama with branch offices in Dothan, Auburn, and Huntsville, the firm specializes in creating innovative solutions that enhance the built environment. Each SS&L team member prioritizes creativity and attention to detail to ensure the success of each project they undertake.
Founded in 1977 by visionaries James Seay, Sr. and Jimmy Seay, Jr., and later enriched by the expertise of Frank E. Litchfield, III, our firm has grown into a powerhouse of architectural innovation. SS&L Architects now employs the largest number of registered architects in the central Alabama region and boasts one of the best intern development programs in the nation.
Services provided by SS&L include architectural design, interior design, landscape architecture, master planning, graphics, etc. Types of projects include residential, civic, commercial, K-12/higher education, and military facilities.
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