Architecture alumnus helps guide downtown Smyrna redevelopment

KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 10, 2026

When Luis Calvo ’10 left Barranquilla, Colombia, at 18 to study architecture, he envisioned himself designing buildings. Little did the College of Architecture and Construction Management (CACM) alumnus know that he’d be designing entire city centers, guiding one of the most ambitious redevelopment efforts in metro Atlanta.

Since earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the former Southern Polytechnic State University, Calvo has gone on to become an associate principal and Atlanta studio lead for the urban planning and design firm MKSK, overseeing projects that shape communities across the Southeast and Midwest.

“Coming to Southern Polytechnic was a turning point in my life,” Calvo said. “It was my first experience living in the United States, and the sense of community on campus made that transition really meaningful.”

Recently, Calvo took a lead role in the Downtown Smyrna Redevelopment Project, a public process to re-imagine a nine-acre site just south of the city’s downtown. The property, currently home to Smyrna First Baptist Church until their relocation in two years, will preserve a historic chapel for public use while opening the remainder of the land for mixed-use redevelopment.

Rather than taking a passive approach, the City of Smyrna launched a yearlong planning and community engagement process. Calvo’s firm served as the lead consultant, working with residents, city officials, and stakeholders to craft a preferred redevelopment concept that reflects shared priorities and long-term goals.

“People wanted it to feel like an extension of downtown,” he said. “They wanted high-quality public spaces, thoughtful architecture, the right mix of housing, businesses, and vibrancy.”

The vision includes housing, retail and dining options, adaptive reuse of the historic chapel, and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connectivity through the Jonquil Mile corridor. City leaders have emphasized the importance of creating a walkable environment that strengthens Smyrna’s identity while supporting responsible growth. The next phase will involve selecting a development partner to bring the community informed vision to life.

Calvo credits his architecture education for laying the groundwork for his career in urban planning.

“Luis represents the very best of our architecture alumni,” said CACM Dean Hazem Rashed-Ali. “His ability to apply design thinking at the scale of entire communities demonstrates the depth of education our students receive.”

After graduating, Calvo worked as an architectural designer in South Florida before realizing his interests extended beyond individual structures.

“I realized I was more interested in how cities were put together rather than buildings,” he said.

He earned a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Louisville in 2013 and later joined MKSK, where he has spent 13 years rising from entry-level planner to Associate Principal. Three years ago, he returned to Metro Atlanta to lead the firm’s local studio, bringing national experience back to the region where his career began.

In his role, Calvo balances creative design work with client coordination, long-range planning, and public engagement. He often manages multiple projects simultaneously, helping cities navigate zoning challenges, funding realities, and infrastructure needs while keeping community priorities at the forefront.

“We want people to understand that what they tell us at the beginning directly shapes the outcome at the end,” he said.

Reflecting on his career journey, Calvo noted the broad applicability of his degree.

“An architecture degree can take you to many different paths professionally,” Calvo said. “The creative problem-solving and communication skills are infinitely transferable.”

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photo provided

Architecture alumnus helps guide downtown Smyrna redevelopment

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