Nearly 200 clients, employees, and community partners gathered to celebrate the Indianapolis-founded architecture and engineering firm

INDIANAPOLIS – The City of Indianapolis officially proclaimed July 23, 2026, “Schmidt Associates 50th Anniversary Day” as nearly 200 clients, employees, community partners, and friends gathered at the architecture and engineering firm’s Indianapolis headquarters to celebrate the milestone.

Chris Bailey, Chief of Staff to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and former chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, presented and read the proclamation during the July 23 open house.

The proclamation recognized Schmidt Associates’ role in helping shape the places where the Indianapolis community learns, heals, gathers, and grows. It also highlighted the firm’s longstanding partnerships throughout Central Indiana and its continued commitment to serving the city.

“This milestone belongs to the clients, employees, partners, and communities that have shaped Schmidt Associates alongside us,” said Sarah Hempstead, CEO and Principal of Schmidt Associates. “For 50 years, we have had the privilege of helping create places that support people and strengthen communities. We are incredibly proud of that history, but we are equally excited about the responsibility and opportunity ahead of us.”

Founded in Indianapolis on July 4, 1976, Schmidt Associates has grown from a local architecture practice into a regional architecture and engineering firm serving organizations throughout Indiana and Kentucky. The firm’s work spans community, healthcare, K-12 education, higher education, workplace, and lifestyle markets.

The anniversary open house invited guests to explore the people, projects, and partnerships that have shaped the firm. The event included historical displays, project imagery, videos, a commemorative anniversary book, and an interactive puzzle installation asking attendees to share what should matter most as Schmidt Associates looks toward its next 50 years.

The celebration also highlighted Founders Grove, a multi-year tree-planting initiative honoring the leaders who shaped Schmidt Associates and Arrasmith. The initiative began in 2025 with 50 native hardwood trees planted at New Bethel Elementary School in honor of Ron Fisher, a founding partner of Schmidt Associates.

This fall, 50 more trees will be planted in Indiana in honor of Schmidt Associates founder Wayne Schmidt. An additional 50 trees will be planted in Kentucky in fall 2027 to recognize Arrasmith co-founder William Arrasmith and the legacy of the practice he established with Herman Wischmeyer.

Schmidt Associates plans to continue the initiative in the years that follow, ultimately planting 300 trees in honor of the people and communities that shaped both firms.

Schmidt Associates will continue commemorating its anniversary through community initiatives, employee and client engagement, historical storytelling, leadership reflections, and programs focused on the firm’s future.

To explore Schmidt Associates’ history and anniversary activities, visit schmidt-arch.com/50years.

About Schmidt Associates
Schmidt Associates is a full-service architecture and engineering firm with offices in Indianapolis and Louisville. Grounded in servant leadership, the firm partners with organizations to create environments that support learning, healing, discovery, community, and human connection. Schmidt Associates combines strategic thinking, technical expertise, and collaborative design to help clients achieve lasting impact.