The practice evolved into SMP Architects in 2007, continuing Susan Maxman’s long-running Philadelphia firm.
In 2007, Susan Maxman’s Philadelphia practice became SMP Architects, continuing the firm’s evolution through different ownership structures and names. By this point, the practice had already developed a reputation for work that combined historic sensitivity with practical, user-centered design.
The year matters as a marker of continuity: the firm’s survival and adaptation over decades illustrate Maxman’s capacity to build an institution rather than only a personal practice. That kind of professional longevity is significant in architecture, where firms can disappear quickly if they lack strong leadership, a clear design identity, or the ability to respond to changing markets.
By the time of this transition, Maxman had already established herself as a national figure through her AIA presidency and her advocacy for environmentally sensitive design. The firm’s later identity shows how her early principles persisted and were carried forward into the next generation of leadership.