Violeta Smart

Design Researcher
Boston, MA, USA

Violeta is a designer and researcher dedicated to harnessing design as a transformative tool for healing, repair, and reconciliation. Her passion lies in creating equitable, nurturing, and resilient spaces that uplift all members of their community, particularly those most vulnerable to institutional injustices.

At MASS, Violeta is a Design Researcher in the Restorative Justice Design Lab and the Accompaniment and Impact team, where she contributes to research, community engagement, architectural design, and storytelling.

Violeta graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she received the AIA Domum Scholarship, the Cal Poly Thesis Design Award, and recognition as a CAED Leader of Tomorrow. Her academic work has been published in Architect Magazine and exhibited at the AIA 2X8 Exhibition in Los Angeles, CA. Violeta also completed a fellowship at Gehry Partners, where she researched criminal and social justice issues affecting communities along the LA River in Los Angeles, CA.