Smithsons

Smithsons is a surname of English origin, formed as a patronymic meaning “son of a smith.” The name has spread beyond its traditional heartland and is carried by families in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. As a plural designation, Smithsons can refer to multiple individuals who share the surname.

Notable bearers commonly associated with the name include the architectural duo Alison Smithson (1928–1993) and Peter Smithson (1923–2001), who worked together as “the Smithsons.” They were influential figures in British postwar architecture and are associated with the New Brutalism movement. Their practice emphasized social housing and urban design, with projects that highlighted raw materials and robust, functional forms. Key works commonly linked to the Smithsons include the Golden Lane Estate in London and Robin Hood Gardens, as well as contributions to architectural theory around the idea of integrating housing with street-level public space and the notion of “streets in the sky.” Their collaboration helped shape debates on modernist housing and urban form in the mid-20th century.