Spacesmith Elevates Key Principals
Spacesmith Principals William Wong, Ámbar Margarida
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The global architecture and design firm Spacesmith has announced the promotion of three outstanding leaders: designer Ámbar Margarida, architect William Wong, and executive Margaret O’Neill. With the elevations, all three principals now share in the ownership of Spacesmith Architecture DPC, which is a design professional service corporation model with flexibility of offering ownership interests to non-licensees such as interior designers and other professionals.
In becoming a DPC, Spacesmith’s transition of leadership becomes even more meaningful. According to its leaders, it reflects how the firm integrates and elevates diverse professionals, solidifying its reputation for assembling teams with varied backgrounds who contribute to world-class solutions and design excellence, benefiting clients and end-users alike.
“In valuing all disciplines, Spacesmith is excited to transition into a business model that brings together owners with broad backgrounds and experiences contributing diverse perspectives to the health and wellbeing of the firm, its clients and their constituents,” says Jane Smith, FAIA, IIDA, the firm’s founding partner. “Ámbar, Will and Margaret are dedicated leaders in the creation of impactful, intelligent, and sustainable solutions that are integral to Spacesmith’s mission and continuing growth. Their work benefits people through environments that promote meaningful experiences and well-being. Each of them is highly deserving of these promotions.”
The elevations reflect the award-winning architecture and interior design firm’s expanding leadership, deep commitment to the business of architecture and the pursuit of exceptional design, adds Michel Franck, AIA, managing principal.
“It’s exciting to see Ámbar, William and Margaret cultivate Spacesmith’s future by helping shape the firm’s design expertise, project execution, client relationships, and operations,” says Franck. “Their exceptional vision, ability to navigate complex projects, and operational expertise are integral to the firm’s continuing advancement and influence.”
Full bios follow below of the three executives Ámbar Margarida, IIDA, WELLAP, LEED Green Associate; William Wong, AIA, LEED AP; and Margaret O’Neill.
A leader in workplace, civic, cultural, and retail projects, Spacesmith’s extensive project portfolio includes recent work for a $500 million development plan for One and Two United Nations Plaza, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, New York University’s expansive John A. Paulson Center, and the Madison Avenue location of FoundRae, the exclusive jeweler. Top among the firm’s upcoming works are the interiors for the amenity spaces of the University of California, Berkeley’s new Bancroft-Fulton Student Housing tower. The firm is also designing a new primary office for a major New York State agency to consolidate a dispersed team into a single, modern workplace.
About the Principals
Ámbar Margarida, IIDA, WELLAP LEED Green Associate
A visionary designer and sustainability advocate, Margarida’s work shapes impactful, human-centered spaces. From family support centers to flagship retail stores to new U.S. Embassies overseas, her projects reflect creativity and commitment to craftsmanship that foster meaningful connections between people and place. Margarida joined Spacesmith in 2009 and has since led transformative, multiyear projects. She is also a leader of Spacesmith’s sustainability committee, where she works to standardize a robust, actionable, long-term Sustainability Action Plan for the practice. Margarida has supported the NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York Chapter’s 80×50 Task Force, which develops strategy to assist New York City in reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Margarida earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from the School of Visual Arts and is a founding member of the Latino American Commercial Real Estate Association, or LACREA.
William Wong, AIA, LEED AP
Wong joined Spacesmith in 2012 and is a skilled architect and project manager known for his ability to navigate complex projects with strategic insight. His leadership spans academic buildings at Columbia University, major U.S. General Services Administration projects like the Land Port of Entry for Highgate Springs, corporate headquarters for Abrams Books, the build out of Hermès of Paris’ flagship store on Madison Avenue, and adaptive reuse initiatives for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. Wong’s expertise bridges business strategy and execution, delivering innovative and efficient design solutions. With an interest in the critical and complex process of building in a dense urban environment, Wong emphasizes durable and enduring designs that promote public interaction. Wong holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Margaret O’Neill
A driving force behind Spacesmith’s operations, O’Neill leads with a deep understanding of the firm’s culture, people, and financial health. A highly experienced professional, O’Neill optimizes expense control and productivity through office management. As a key strategist in human resources and finance, she has been instrumental in fostering Spacesmith’s growth, ensuring the firm’s strong, nimble, and productive daily operations.