--- title: "David R Smith Design — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/david-r-smith-design-pfvwus-pf~914671820 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~914671820.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "David R Smith Design" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/57332a1f01361ca4_9287-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "401 Craven Rd., Toronto, Ontario M4L 2Z5, Canada" latitude: 43.6625 longitude: -79.327 phone: "(416) 890-1764" website: https://davidrsmith.ca rating: 5 review_count: 5 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 93 last_updated: 2026-11-06 --- # David R Smith Design Original Houzz profile: [David R Smith Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/david-r-smith-design-pfvwus-pf~914671820) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Toronto, ON - **Serves:** Toronto - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2026), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 5 Ideabook Saves David Smith is a registered BCIN Designer with over a decades worth of experience in the industry of Architecture and Design/Build. David R Smith Design is a boutique firm located in downtown Toronto that specializes in residential additions and alterations. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Architectural Drawings - House Plans - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Drafting - Basement Remodeling - Basement Design - Mudroom Design - Deck Design - Laundry Room Design ### Areas Served - Toronto ### Typical Job Cost CAD 3,500 - CAD 15,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | David R Smith Design | | Address | 401 Craven Rd., Toronto, Ontario M4L 2Z5, Canada | | Phone | (416) 890-1764 | | Website | https://davidrsmith.ca | | License Number | BCIN\# 43686 | | Followers on Houzz | 93 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [David R Smith Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/david-r-smith-design-pfvwus-pf~914671820) - **Website:** https://davidrsmith.ca - **Phone:** (416) 890-1764 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2026), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 5.0 - Communication: 5.0 - Value: 5.0 ### All 5 reviews **★★★★★ — HU-893627985, June 2025** > We are incredibly fortunate to have worked with David Smith on the design and permitting phases of our full gut renovation to a 120 year old detached home including underpinning, a rear extension, and the addition of a third storey. > > We wholeheartedly recommend working with David based on his patient demeanour, detail orientation, and mastery of the Committee of Adjustment / City permitting processes. > > Speed was an important element to us to accelerate our build, and David propelled us from the idea phase to a fully rendered initial design in very short order without sacrificing quality, while also adding valuable elements of design and possibility beyond which we were even thinking. We added complexity to our build by seeking to preserve elements of our Edwardian home and avoid eroding our backyard space, David went above and beyond through his architectural research to help us reach the final optimal design. > > As we expanded our build team David was an integral player supporting all players through multiple iterations of the final plans, all while helping us navigate Committee of Adjustment, fulfill all city permitting requirements & secure our permits within our ambitious timeline. > > The depth of guidance and care with which David works sets him apart from others and we can’t wait to invite him back to see the finished property in a few months. **Comment from David R Smith Design:** > A very sincere thank you Tian for posting such a kind and generous review on my behalf, it really means a lot to me, especially as I know you are very busy. From our first interactions, I really appreciated how organized and clear you and Christine were about what you wanted to accomplish, while still being open to possibilities and considerations that someone with a little more experience might be able to bring to the project. I think the final design is a wonderful collaboration between the three of us, one that respects, retains and restores the original character and grandeur of the home, while at the same time elevating it to a new level both in fit and feature. I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to work with you both and very much look forward to seeing the completed build. Thank you again and take care. **★★★★★ — KPD, Dec. 2013** > We hired David to create drawings for a home addition and also to act as liaison with the city to obtain the appropriate permits. David did a fantastic job of listening to our needs and designing a functional space, in addition to offering ideas of how we could alter our interior space to be more functional. His pleasant manner, professionalism and quick turnaround were very much appreciated. **Comment from David R Smith Design:** > Hi Lisa, > Thanks for the kind words, you and Kirk have both been a pleasure to work with. Happy holidays and all the best in the new year! **★★★★★ — pauldaniel75, Nov. 2013** > I am searching for a new home, something that might need a few updates and allow me to put my own personal stamp on it. Dave was able to give me a preliminary zoning analysis for several prospective properties, and then walk through each site with me to discuss potential renovation ideas and what ideas would be most efficient to get a permit. His suggestions have been the right mix of the creative and the practical. This has been a tremendous help in my quest for the perfect place. **Comment from David R Smith Design:** > Thanks Paul for the kind words! I think your patient approach to finding the right property will pay off big time, particularly in the current market. I would really like to see more home buyers adopt your strategy and really try to thoroughly evaluate a property's potential before jumping into the purchase. Best of luck! **★★★★★ — shez14, Oct. 2013** > We engaged David to complete the drawings for our 2nd floor addition and changes to the main floor. From the moment we met David during the interview process, we felt very comfortable with him. His knowledge on the design and permit application process is second to none. In fact, despite having met with several other companies, we hired David the next day as we knew right away he was the right person for our project. He took the time to explain the entire process to us including all the cost associated with the entire process. > > During the design phase, David took into consideration our needs as well as provided some suggestions on several areas to fully utilize the space we envisioned and improve efficiency. We were able to come up with a final design very quickly, including last minute changes that were requested. We were very happy with the final design. > > During the permit application process with the city, David took care of everything for us and represented us with the city. The city often finds kinks in plans and David was able to respond and provide the additional details immediately. > > Overall the entire permit application process was relatively painless, although it did take quite some time due to the several stages involved. David was also very helpful during our contractor selection process as he helped to answer some questions contractors had. In fact, some contractors complimented us having such detailed plans available, as it made their job of quoting for the project a lot easier and accurate. > > After we selected our contractor further changes were required to the plans and David was very quick to respond and make the corrections and resubmit the changes to the city for approval. > > Overall, we were very, very happy to have David on board to complete the design of our project. His attention to our project didn’t falter when the permits were issued and he continued to be involved with our contractor to ensure that all the questions were answered and the details are followed up. I would highly recommend David to other couples looking to do large complex renovations, as we were quite pleased with his professionalism, diligence and attention to detail. **Comment from David R Smith Design:** > Thank you very much Sameer! As cliche as it sounds, its reviews like this that really make all of the work worth it in the end. You and Shez were a fantastic couple to work with, your design ideas and willingness to stay involved throughout the entire process really helped make this a great experience. Looking back to February it really was quite a journey; the initial design and Zoning Certificate, all of the work with Committee of Adjustment and then the final permit and construction drawings… all things considered it went quite smoothly and according to plan. I know you guys will love the finished product and I wish you all the best! Take care and keep in touch. **★★★★★ — kalic, Oct. 2013** > We are renovating our 100 year old Toronto semi. We are moving a bathroom to a bedroom and removing a wall in our second bedroom to make it bigger. We got in touch with David to help us through the daunting permit process. David came and measured our space and listened to our needs. He produced very expert drawings, and applied for the permit for us. The whole process was quick and painless and David was available and accommodating throughout. > > We have had several false starts with our renovation and working with David has renewed our confidence that we will get this done. > > From the moment we got in touch with David we knew we had made the right choice. He is professional and capable and has been in constant contact with us thoughout the process to let us know how it is progressing. > > We will use David’s services again in future renovations. We can recommend David without hesitation. **Comment from David R Smith Design:** > Hi Kali, thank you so much for the generous review, I really appreciate it. You guys were a pleasure to work with from the start and I am so happy to have renewed your confidence in the process. I am sure when the renovation is finally complete you guys will love the results. Best of luck and keep in touch! ## Selected projects - [Recent work 2022](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/recent-work-2022-pj-vj~7015363) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - [News](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/news-pj-vj~5530260) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Recent Work](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/recent-work-pj-vj~1510932) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 34 [See all 3 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/david-r-smith-design-pfvwus-pf~914671820) ## Ideabooks - [36 Nursewood Rd](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/134898553/list/36-nursewood-rd) — 12 ideas - [370 St. Germain Exterior Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/122011625/list/370-st-germain-exterior-ideas) — 12 ideas - [112 Balsam](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/115746104/list/112-balsam) — 40 ideas - [Office Pod](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/115447030/list/office-pod) — 14 ideas - [274 Carlton St.](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/106117295/list/274-carlton-st) — 35 ideas - [Interiors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8126141/list/interiors) — 5 ideas - [25 Valley](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26443859/list/25-valley) — 9 ideas - [Exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8126079/list/exteriors) — 18 ideas [See all 8 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/davidsmith514) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-06.*