get to know us

ARC = architecture, art, and design
BAE = embodiment of love and passion for the craft & community

We are a Detroit-based art and design studio shaped by Detroit’s rich cultural history and vibrant underground scene. Our practice is a testament to the transformative power of creativity. ARC BAE is not just a studio; it is a labor of love and an ode to the interconnectedness of design, environment, and community.

Deeply inspired by Detroit’s legendary music and art culture, our work draws energy from the city’s soul—the birthplace of Motown, techno, and a thriving underground creative scene. The rhythmic pulse of Detroit’s history and its ever-evolving atmosphere infuse the studio’s work with a raw, authentic spirit. This connection to the city’s lived experience brings a unique vibrancy and edge to each project, celebrating the resilience, creativity, and stories that define Detroit.

As a community-focused practice, we view every project as an opportunity to uplift and amplify voices. Whether it’s through collaborative workshops, partnerships with local organizations, or mentorship of students and/or emerging artists, the we remain committed to creating spaces that inspire connection and pride. Each endeavor is imbued with the love and passion that defines our ethos, ensuring that the work resonates deeply with those we co-create with.

Our portfolio captures this dynamic essence, featuring design work, murals, prints, and public installations that reflect the harmony between urban life and natural elements. Each project seeks to thoughtfully connect people to their surroundings, evoking a sense of belonging and sparking conversations. Our work thrives at the intersection of art, environmental justice, engagement and expression - with just a little bit of fun on the side.






Torri Smith
Owner + Founder & Principal-in-Charge
CV

Torri Smith is a Detroit-based architect, artist, and educator whose work is as bold and dynamic as the city she calls home. Torri holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University (2015) and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan (2021).

From her early days working in studios across the city—including the iconic Russell Industrial Center and Love Building—to her immersion in Detroit’s legendary techno scene, she draws constant inspiration from the raw energy and creativity that define the city. Her work is a love letter to the city’s vibrant art and music culture, blending the industrial aesthetic of Detroit’s past with the innovation and resilience that propel its future. Whether painting murals that resonate with community pride or designing spaces that spark conversation, Torri’s practice reflects the essence of Detroit: unyielding, creative, and deeply connected to its roots.

Torri currently conducts research related to her interests at the intersection of environmental justice, urban activism and design while simultaneously exploring the ways in which ecological regeneration can address systemic racial inequity, tangentially sharing this passion by teaching high schoolers from Detroit Public Schools through ArcPrep and serves at the current Director for the UM ArcStart summer camp.


PAST ACCOLADES

2024 ARIA Grant - Detroit at Play (Team)
2023 Deans Equity and Inclusion Initiative -Fellow
2021-2022 Michigan Mellon Design Fellow in Egalitarianism and the Metropolis
2021 Burton L. Kampner Memorial Award for the most outstanding thesis by Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, as well as a Program Distinction Award.
2019 Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE scholarship; a full scholarship towards emerging architects pursuing licensure
Co-creator for Design Justice Actions
Contributor to Design Futures Forum