"Ezra Smith Design creates functional beauty and beautiful function in marine and
residential architectural design. I strive for the innate elegance of a design solution that
perfectly embodies a client's needs-what a design professor of mine liked to call
'naturally nice'. "
Ezra Smith founded Ezra Smith Design in late 2009 after seven years with Fontaine Design
Group in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Early on at FDG he had the opportunity to work
closely with Ted Hood, under whose guidance he gained an understanding of the
ergonomic practicalities of yacht interiors. His first major project for the firm was
designing and detailing the interior guest spaces for “Paraiso”, a 108’ sloop that went on
to win the 2004 International Superyacht Society Design Award for Best Sailing Yacht 23-
36 meters. After this Ezra served as lead designer on several custom projects, including a
57' sloop built by Morris yachts, 106' sloop constructed in Taiwan and a 148' sloop. His last
project with FDG was detailing the interior of the incredible Friendship 75 "Isabel".
Since founding Ezra Smith Design, Ezra has been working with private clients as well as
cementing relationships with leaders in the yachting industry such as the Hinckley
Company, Sparkman and Stephens, MCM, and Jon Barrett Associates. Having done his
training in industrial design, he seeks out and has the ability to tackle a wide spectrum of
design challenges. To date, projects have ranged from hard wing sails and foiling
systems for C Class catamarans, to mega yacht interiors, to a wheelchair accessible
lobster yacht, to the interior design of the Oliver Hazard Perry, a 190' square-rigged sailing
school vessel. To all of these projects Ezra brings an artists eye and a passion that is
informed by a knowledge and respect both for what has come before and for the
cutting edge.
The practicalities of marine design have proven a translatable skillset to land-based
projects, allowing Ezra to pursue his other passion-residential architecture. To date ESD
has designed waterfront homes for clients in Maine and Florida, and has completed
over a dozen large renovation projects.
Ezra has been a sailor from youth, competing in multiple classes including the ultra-high
performance International 14, and currently enjoys time on the water with his family in
the Marshall 18 catboat that he sails from his home in Wickford, Rhode Island. Ezra
received his degree in Industrial Design from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2002
and has degrees in Economics and Art History from Yale University.
