A&E + SMA Design

A&E + SMA Design Two of Montana’s top firms have become one people-first, community and client-driven powerhouse. Let’s go! Stronger together, by design.

At Vero, the view is part of the design. Perched atop the AC Hotel in Billings, the rooftop bar and restaurant connects ...
06/18/2026

At Vero, the view is part of the design. Perched atop the AC Hotel in Billings, the rooftop bar and restaurant connects interior dining with open-air patio ambiance, creating a warm, energetic setting for dinner, drinks, conversation, and skyline views. Every detail is designed as an invitation to come together, connect, and celebrate – turning a night out into a memorable experience above the city.

🤝: AC Hotel by Marriott Billings

Shovels in the ground, years of planning behind it, decades of impact ahead. Yesterday, Helena Public Schools broke grou...
06/18/2026

Shovels in the ground, years of planning behind it, decades of impact ahead.

Yesterday, Helena Public Schools broke ground on the replacement Helena High School, new Project for Alternative Learning facility, and District Kitchen – the first projects launched from the 2025 bond election, an investment of $283M across the District. The District Athletics & Stadium will also be constructed on the site, with a groundbreaking slated for Fall 2028.

This is what community investment looks like when it starts becoming real: modern, safer, and more welcoming learning spaces, a dedicated home for PAL, stronger district-wide food service infrastructure, and a campus designed around the daily lives of students and staff.

Helena showed up for its schools. Now, the future is taking shape.

📸: Helena Area Chamber of Commerce
🤝: Helena Public Schools, Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, NAC, Dick Anderson Construction, DCI Engineers, Stahly Engineering & Associates, Big Sky Acoustics, Bakergroup ACE, Inc., Hulteng CCM

Happy hour, but make it high cadence. The Bozeman office clipped in at Zephyr Cycling Studio for a team ride led by our ...
06/16/2026

Happy hour, but make it high cadence. The Bozeman office clipped in at Zephyr Cycling Studio for a team ride led by our very own Jake Steding: Design Director & Associate by day, Zephyr instructor after hours. The coworker-curated playlist brought the heat – Jake called it one of the hardest classes he’s taught – and the post-ride group photo felt very, very earned.

✨ A big team thank you to Zephyr for hosting us! ✨

🤝: Zephyr Cycling Studio

This week, we’re proud to celebrate 5 years with Maria Ophus!Maria brings a thoughtful balance of left-brain accuracy an...
06/15/2026

This week, we’re proud to celebrate 5 years with Maria Ophus!

Maria brings a thoughtful balance of left-brain accuracy and right-brain curiosity to her role as Accounts Payable & Experience Coordinator in our Helena office. Her work spans financial coordination, document review, continuing education, marketing support, project assistance, and team events – helping create a stronger foundation for collaboration and creativity across the entire firm.

She's detail-focused, generous with her support, and genuinely interested in the many ways our business, people, and projects come together.

Thank you, Maria, for 5 years of meaningful impact!

We were honored to help welcome the 2026 Preserve Montana Trades Corps cohort as they begin a nine-week journey learning...
06/12/2026

We were honored to help welcome the 2026 Preserve Montana Trades Corps cohort as they begin a nine-week journey learning the traditional building trades and preservation techniques that keep Montana's historic places alive.

Programs like the Trades Corps create opportunities for young adults to build meaningful careers while helping safeguard the stories, craftsmanship, and character embedded in our communities.

Congratulations to this year's cohort. We can't wait to see the impact you'll create.

🤝: Preserve Montana

Please join us in celebrating 15 years with James Kordonowy!As a Partner in our Billings office, James has helped to ele...
06/11/2026

Please join us in celebrating 15 years with James Kordonowy!

As a Partner in our Billings office, James has helped to elevate the role of interiors within our firm and for our clients, bringing architecture, finishes, materials, and experience into one thoughtful design conversation.

With imagination, discipline, and skilled expertise, James creates spaces that balance timeless character with fresh ideas. His thoughtful approach to design shapes environments that are both meaningful and enduring, creating experiences that resonate far beyond the surface.

Thank you, James, for 15 years of creativity, leadership, and thoughtful design. We’re grateful to have you!

This future Western Security Bank branch in Billings reimagines what a neighborhood bank can be. Designed around a small...
06/10/2026

This future Western Security Bank branch in Billings reimagines what a neighborhood bank can be. Designed around a smaller, more efficient footprint, the branch creates immediate customer touchpoints that connect visitors with the right person faster, making every interaction more personal and responsive.

Behind the scenes, every detail supports employee success. Teller functions are organized with ergonomics in mind, placing technology, tools, and daily tasks within easy reach to minimize movement, improve efficiency, and create a more comfortable work environment.

Inspired by Western Security Bank’s refreshed brand, the result is a modern banking experience that pairs operational excellence with a strong local connection.

🤝: Western Security Bank

Installation is underway at Rocky Vista University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where this custom metal bison is br...
06/09/2026

Installation is underway at Rocky Vista University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where this custom metal bison is bringing new energy to the main entry. 🦬

Designed by our EGD team and fabricated by local welder Scott Clark of Scott’s Mobile Welding, the anatomically-inspired piece layers science and symbolism into a bold welcome for the campus community. For students, faculty, and visitors alike, it connects the college’s purpose to the place it calls home.

🤝: Rocky Vista University - Montana, Scott's Mobile Welding

Some restaurants are designed around a look. We designed The Camino around a feeling. The interior pulls from both its ...
06/08/2026

Some restaurants are designed around a look. We designed The Camino around a feeling.

The interior pulls from both its Missoula setting and Mexican inspiration — warm, tactile, colorful, and alive. Details like woven textiles, natural wood, and warm light work together to create a space that feels modern yet relaxed.

Good hospitality design understands that the atmosphere is part of the service. It sets expectations, shifts the energy, and helps guests feel like they’ve arrived somewhere worth staying.

📸: LARA SWIMMER PHOTOGRAPHY / Esto
🤝: The Camino Missoula

We love seeing our communities dream bigger. The future AC Hotel, designed by A&E + SMA Design, is featured in the June ...
06/05/2026

We love seeing our communities dream bigger. The future AC Hotel, designed by A&E + SMA Design, is featured in the June 2026 issue of Simply Local Billings, where our renderings offer a glimpse of what's to come.

From guest rooms and dining experiences to rooftop gathering spaces, the project is part of a larger wave of momentum downtown. We're proud to help create a destination that welcomes visitors, strengthens the urban core, and reflects our commitment to creating meaningful places with lasting impact.

Read the full article and learn more about the project at simplylocalbillings.com.

🤝: AC Hotel by Marriott Billings, Simply Local Magazine Billings

Address

124 North 29th Street
Billings, MT
59101

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

406.248.2633

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