In this paper, a structural design method of a smart tuned mass damper (TMD) for a retractable-roof spatial structure under earthquake excitation was proposed. For this purpose, a retractable-roof spatial structure was simplified to a single degree of freedom (SDOF) model. Dynamic characteristics of a retractable-roof spatial structure is changed based on opened or closed roof condition. This condition was considered in the numerical simulation. A magnetorheological (MR) damper was used to compose a smart TMD and a displacement based ground-hook control algorithm was used to control the smart TMD. The control effectiveness of a smart TMD under harmonic and earthquake excitation were evaluated in comparison with a conventional passive TMD. The vibration control robustness of a smart TMD and a passive TMD were compared along with the variation of natural period of a simplified structure. Dynamic responses of a smart TMD and passive TMD under resonant harmonic excitation and earthquake load were compared by varying mass ratio of TMD to total mass of the simplified structure. The design procedure proposed in this study is expected to be used for preliminary design of a smart TMD for a retractable-roof spatial structure.