SMPC Architects

In 1944, Gordon Ferguson, a part-time architect and professor, formed what would later become known as SMPC Architects, the oldest architectural firm in continuous business in New Mexico. Mr. Ferguson initially worked from his home but as the firm grew he relocated his office to Amherst Drive in the historic Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque. As the young firm grew, the name evolved to include new partners. The original name was simply Gordon Ferguson, Architect, changing in 1949 to Ferguson, Stevens and Associates. The name changed yet again in 1959 to Ferguson, Stevens, Mallory and Pearl and then again in 1972 giving the firm the name of Stevens, Mallory, Pearl and Campbell. In 1993, the firm shortened the partner's names into the simple title of SMPC Architects. Mr. Ferguson developed SMPC's client base of private and public work primarily through social contact. Early on, the firm became established as a local expert in medical facility design through work for Bernalillo County Indian Hospital, the Bataan Memorial Methodist Hospital and the Lovelace Clinic. In 1948 Donald Stevens, who had taught architecture at the University of Texas, joined the firm as a partner. During his career with SMPC, which spanned over 35 years, Mr. Stevens became the medical architecture specialist and was responsible for the ongoing relationships with Lovelace, Presbyterian and Anna Kaseman Hospitals. Donald Stevens also brought several young architects to New Mexico from Texas. They were Bob Mallory, George Pearl and Van Dorn Hooker. George Pearl became SMPC's chief designer and went on to win regional and national acclaim for his work, including a fellowship (for design) by the American Institute of Architects and the Western Mountain Region AIA Silver Medal for design. The new School of Architecture and Planning building at the University of New Mexico, designed by Antoine Predock, also bears George Pearl's name and is a testament to the influence Pearl had on the built environment of New Mexico. Bob Mallory created a high standard of ethics at the firm and often functioned in the role of mentor for many at SMPC, while Van Dorn Hooker went on to lead a long and influential career as the campus architect for the University of New Mexico. Bob Campbell, an architecture student and the University of New Mexico, joined the firm in 1955. During Campbell's career he was very active on the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects and served as President of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in 2003. He retired in 2000. Four members of the firm, Bob Moraga, Chris Willadsen, Glenn Fellows and Mike Dickson, were made associates in 1985. Mr. Moraga retired in December, 2003 and Mr. Dickson retired in 2007. SMPC is now Mr. Willadsen, Mr. Fellows, senior principals and principals Allison Abraham, Dave Cook, Patricia Hancock, David Hassard and Karl Schindwolf. SMPC Architects continues to add to the built environment of New Mexico today and has played a large and important role in creating the modern built environments of Albuquerque and New Mexico throughout the years.

From the description of SMPC Architects drawings and plans collection, 1936-2001. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 244788473

In 1944, Gordon Ferguson, a part-time architect and professor, formed what would later become known as SMPC Architects, the oldest architectural firm in continuous business in New Mexico. Mr. Ferguson initially worked from his home but as the firm grew he relocated his office to Amherst Drive in the historic Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque.

As the young firm grew, the name evolved to include new partners. The original name was simply Gordon Ferguson, Architect, changing in 1949 to Ferguson, Stevens and Associates. The name changed yet again in 1959 to Ferguson, Stevens, Mallory and Pearl and then again in 1972 giving the firm the name of Stevens, Mallory, Pearl and Campbell. In 1993, the firm shortened the partner’s names into the simple title of SMPC Architects.

Mr. Ferguson developed SMPC’s client base of private and public work primarily through social contact. Early on, the firm became established as a local expert in medical facility design through work for Bernalillo County Indian Hospital, the Bataan Memorial Methodist Hospital and the Lovelace Clinic. In 1948 Donald Stevens, who had taught architecture at the University of Texas, joined the firm as a partner. During his career with SMPC, which spanned over 35 years, Mr. Stevens became the medical architecture specialist and was responsible for the ongoing relationships with Lovelace, Presbyterian and Anna Kaseman Hospitals. Donald Stevens also brought several young architects to New Mexico from Texas. They were Bob Mallory, George Pearl and Van Dorn Hooker.

George Pearl became SMPC’s chief designer and went on to win regional and national acclaim for his work, including a fellowship (for design) by the American Institute of Architects and the Western Mountain Region AIA Silver Medal for design. The new School of Architecture and Planning building at the University of New Mexico, designed by Antoine Predock, also bears George Pearl’s name and is a testament to the influence Pearl had on the built environment of New Mexico. Bob Mallory created a high standard of ethics at the firm and often functioned in the role of mentor for many at SMPC, while Van Dorn Hooker went on to lead a long and influential career as the campus architect for the University of New Mexico.

Bob Campbell, an architecture student and the University of New Mexico, joined the firm in 1955. During Campbell’s career he was very active on the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects and served as President of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards in 2003. He retired in 2000.

Four members of the firm, Bob Moraga, Chris Willadsen, Glenn Fellows and Mike Dickson, were made associates in 1985. Mr. Moraga retired in December, 2003 and Mr. Dickson retired in 2007. SMPC is now Mr. Willadsen, Mr. Fellows, senior principals and principals Allison Abraham, Dave Cook, Patricia Hancock, David Hassard and Karl Schindwolf.

SMPC Architects continues to add to the built environment of New Mexico today and has played a large and important role in creating the modern built environments of Albuquerque and New Mexico throughout the years.

From the guide to the SMPC Architects Drawings and Plans Collection, 1936-2001, (University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research)