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Architects in Washington D.C., DC

Architectural firms plan and design buildings, considering the land area and aesthetic requirements.

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Washington D.C. / 50 mi
Architects & Architectural Designers
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4,524 Professionals

Featured Reviews for Architects in Washington D.C., DC

Saltbox Architecture
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars26 April 2016
“Our remodeling company has completed several projects with Saltbox over the past few years. The owners, Kevin and Alan, have consistently provided exceptional designs, excellent working drawings, have been creative and available whenever faced with construction challenges from the field crew and have always maintained cooperative relationships with our mutual clients and with sub-contractors. I recommend them highly and would welcome the opportunity to work with their team again.”
Ileana Schinder, PLLC
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars3 August 2015
“We met with Ileana to discuss possible renovation ideas to our 1960s house to open up the space and to re-think our upstairs bathrooms. She designed the project in a way that allowed us to consider the two pieces (upstairs and downstairs) both separately and together. We originally thought we would focus on the upstairs initially, but we were so happy with the redesigned first floor that we ended up deciding to tackle this project first. We contracted with a local company to do the work, and they have had no problems following Ileana's architectural drawings.”
Cathleen Curtin Architects LLC
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars28 April 2013
“Where to begin with my comments about Cathleen Curtin, the positive side, or the negative… well, that’s easy! There is no negative, so here are the positives!! Having scaled down a good bit from a larger home, and now residing in my interesting apartment in Old Town, Alexandria, I needed to make improvements and changes that would make this small place my haven. It began with getting bids on a bathroom renovation. Having contacted other architectural services and builders in the area that I knew, I found that the recommendations (and the pricing) were all over the place, and I really couldn’t tell what they were going to do. I also felt that they were not listening to me regarding the need to connect the bedroom space and my master bathroom. From the minute I ran this idea by Cathleen, she “got me” and she listened to me and she responded quickly. Within a couple days of our first meeting, she was back to me with a clear and concise overview and pricing. I was impressed with her level of detail, as well as her efficiency. And, this impression never changed thru out what became a much bigger project. Where the others all were going to expand my bathroom and take away space from my bedroom, Cathleen Curtin was able to give me all that I wanted, AND MORE, in the same footprint – saving money, time and probably a lot of unknown issues in this old building. Her creative use of space and layout resulted in a bathroom that I absolutely love, and others marvel at. Once deciding to work with Ms. Curtin, I realized that I felt safe and comfortable to do more of what really needed to be done to my living space. She gave me that comfort. Having had some experience with such projects in the past, it was knowing that she was not only the Architect, but also the Project Manager, that gave me the confidence to take this on. Always available for questions, and always quick to find solutions to issues as they came along, she drove this project hard and fast, and with a fabulous outcome. The project included not only the master bathroom, but a new laundry room, leveling the floors in my bedroom, insulation where there was none, built in cabinetry that eliminated the need for furniture in the bedroom, re-doing of floors, adding hardwood floors where they did not exist, brilliant storage cabinets, new lighting thru out, a life changing gas fireplace, creative kitchen solutions that make me love cooking again, a very special powder room, and so much more. I am thrilled in my new space – and enjoy it more than I ever dreamed possible. Cathleen was a joy to work with, a consummate professional, a willing ear, a great production manager, and attended to each and every detail of the project. On site every day, often several times, staying ahead of all contractors with selections and materials, and kept me informed with clear and consistent communication. Running a busy enterprise, I needed this style of professional oversight, and feel that not only did she give me a wonderful new home to enjoy, she gave me great service and great value in a time that we often do not get what we expect. With Cathleen, I got more than I ever expected!”
Kohlmark Flach Architects
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars19 October 2023
“Tom Flach, our architect at Kohlmark, 100% understood what we wanted in our new home. But he didn’t stop there, he made the plans better than we even knew were possible. Tom was always available to answer our questions and to help us with any decisions or issues that arose. His skill, his vision, his guidance, and integrity made this experience a lot easier for us.”
Gardner Architects LLC
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars29 July 2012
“As an architectural photographer, I have known and worked for Amy Gardner of Gardner Mohr Architects for more than five years. She is one of a group of architects that is thinking about the future and how she can utilize her generous talents to make better more sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings. I have found her designs to be invigorating. The spaces eminently functional and her designs to utilize the available light and air flow to be of equal magnitude. In short, the spaces and buildings are livable, functional, breathing spaces that are simply exiting and fun to be in. It has always been my pleasure to photograph these spaces and to convey with a photograph what Gardner Mohr Architects have created.”
Kingdom Design and Build, LLC
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars28 February 2023
“Kingdom Design and Build took my vision and made it a reality. I was so confused about how to renovate my living room and dining room. The team came in and gave me a few ideas that matched my vision. They were clean, professional, and on time. I was so pleased with the outcome on my living room and dining room renovation. Jessica M.”
Continuum Life Cycle Consulting
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars22 June 2023
“Continuum was extremely helpful working with the City of DC. They have a deep knowledge of the building and zoning code and years of experience working in Washington DC. Continuum was invaluable getting our occupancy and accessibility items approved. We are already working with Dave and team on our next venture!”
DeFalco Home Design
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars19 March 2020
“Trip has been outstanding from the first meeting my wife and I had with him, He is very knowledgable and really got us excited about the rebuild on our current lot. Whenever we had questions, and there were plenty, Trip was there with an answer usually within hours of an email being sent. His answers to our questions have guided us through our rebuild project and also given us ideas that we more than likely would not have come up with on our own. We can not recommend DeFalco Home Design highly enough.”
HD Squared Architects, LLC
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars24 September 2014
“Where to begin! Melanie Hartwig-Davis is an extraordinary architect. She has worked on a number of projects for us, including our kitchen, family room/bathroom, and an extensive project where she completely transformed the outside of our house by adding lighted flagstone stairs, custom-designed wrought iron railings and an outdoor deck/entryway that provided us with much needed additional living space. The kitchen she designed for us completely exceeded our expectations. Melanie is one of those rare individuals who is able to think like an engineer and an artist at the same time. It seemed as if she immediately recognized what we needed to do with our space. This required creative interior design ideas to accommodate existing conditions. In addition to serving as our architect, she guided us in selecting colors, lighting, and stylistic features. We had a small space in which to work. She designed a kitchen that was functional, had ample cabinet and counter space, and was visually impressive. We could never have reached such a successful result without her input. One of the aspects we appreciate about Melanie is that she cares. She respects the integrity of the space, the style of the house, and the architecture of the neighborhood. She truly wants her projects to add to the livability of not only her clients but also the community. She is environmental in her choice of materials, and as a result, has impacted all of our additional household decisions. When it came time to replace the siding on our house, we went with a composite siding because we knew that is what she would recommend. We have since moved to a new house and invited Melanie over before our own family. We have a number of projects we hope to complete in the future and we would never use anyone else besides Melanie.”
Moser Architects PLLC
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars3 March 2016
“I recommended Moser Architects, PLLC to everyone looking to build or renovate in the DMV area. Sarah took our quaint Cape Cod home in North Arlington and made it into a beautiful home for a growing family. We told Sarah how we wanted to keep the charm and curb appeal that fit the neighborhood, and she surpassed our expectations. Our home could not be more functional thanks to Sarah's expertise, and we are always receiving compliments. Our open floor plan with large amounts of natural light could not be more perfect. If we ever take the plunge to purchase another home in NOVA in need of renovations, Sarah will receive the first phone call.”
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Useful information about architects
Cost Range (low - high)
Percentage based, typically from 8% to 15% of the total projects construction cost.
Types of projects covered
Home Extensions, New Home Builds, House Plans, Drafting, Floor Plans and more.
Busy Months
January - August
Not Busy Months
October - December
Architect or Architectural Designer FAQs
An architect is a professional who designs and creates building plans, ensuring the building is functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. They collaborate with clients to understand their needs and create designs that meet their requirements. Architects also consider building codes, regulations, and sustainability principles in their designs. They may oversee the construction process to ensure it aligns with the design intent.
If you are looking at a house extension or building a new home from scratch, chances are you are going to need the help of a residential architect. They have extensive knowledge of architectural design, construction methods and building materials, not to mention a strong appreciation of ergonomics – warmth, light and flow within a property. Architects will also be far more capable of seeing the bigger picture – carefully balancing aesthetic appeal with structural safety. With their local knowledge, your Washington D.C. architect will also often help to obtain planning permission and building regulations approval.
You can find a local architect in Washington D.C. with Houzz in two ways:

  • Answer a few questions about your project to get matched with a local architect for free. Enter your postcode above to get started.
  • Browse through our list of the best architects in Washington D.C. where you can find their profiles, reviews and photos of past work.

    • After choosing either option, you can reach out to the architects you want to discuss your project. You can request and compare quotes before hiring the right architect for you.
    After choosing a residential architect, you will usually start with a consultation to discuss the project. Preferably at your property or building site where the work will be done. Give as clear a picture as possible of the kind of home you are trying to create to your architects. Chat through your goals, projected budget, scope of work, schedule and feedback, together with any very specific requirements you might have. They will explain their process to you alongside any other on-site visits up to and including the build stage, depending on whether they will be involved at that stage. From there they will produce the designs and plans required for your project.
    The cost of hiring an architect in Washington D.C. can vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project, experience, reputation, and location. Architectural fees are typically structured as a percentage of the project’s total construction cost, ranging from 8% to 15%. For example, if a project has a construction cost of £500,000 and the architect’s fee is 10%, the fee would be £50,000. It’s advisable to discuss fees and payment structures with architects in Washington D.C. during initial consultations.
    Why Hire Builders on Houzz?
    4,524Local Pros on Houzz Who Serve Washington D.C., DC
    3,500+Total Number of Reviews Left by Homeowners
    Washington D.C., DC Architects are masters of building design and can make your dream house a reality. Perhaps you would like to find Washington D.C., DC architects to help you extend the kitchen and install bifold doors opening out onto a newly landscaped garden? Maybe the challenge is a loft conversion but you’re not sure how to make the most of the limited space up there? You might even wish to hire architects in Washington D.C., DC to help you build your own house from the ground up. Architects can help you to get a clearer idea of what is possible, both in terms of the land you own and the budget you have. They have extensive knowledge of architectural design, construction methods and building materials, not to mention a strong appreciation of ergonomics – warmth, light and flow within a property. Architects will also be far more capable of seeing the bigger picture – carefully balancing aesthetic appeal with structural safety – and navigating all those little steps from concept through to completion. And with their local knowledge, your Washington D.C., DC architects will also often help to obtain planning permission and building regulations approval.

    How do I choose the right Washington D.C., DC architect?


    Begin by determining the type of architectural service you require. Is it merely advice that you need? Or a detailed set of architectural design plans? Are you hoping to add a single-storey extension or are you really looking for someone to design you a custom home and handle construction management right through to completion? One of the most important duties of full service architects in Washington D.C., DC is to serve as project managers and supervise most aspects of construction as well as facilitate communication between all other contractors.

    Architecture is an incredibly technical profession and one where getting things wrong can literally put lives at risk, so do background checks on your Washington D.C. architect. Check they are registered with architecture associations such as the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Being part of an architecture association means that an architect or architecture firm has met certain standards, qualifications and practices, and can be held accountable if they don’t meet these standards. It’s advisable to choose architects that specialise in the kind of project that you are undertaking as their existing experience will shine through in the completed design. Look for an architect in Washington D.C., DC that can provide references and reviews of their previous work.

    Once you have determined the service level you need, your next consideration will be architectural style. Some architects specialise in designing for traditional housing such as period cottages and country homes, or even in designing modern replicas in a period style. Others have a knack for imagining bolder, more futuristic architectural design in Washington D.C., DC incorporating the latest green technology. Check their Houzz profile and website for examples of previous work. Early on, try to gauge availability – there’s no point in choosing an architect that’s going to be booked for months if you have a tight deadline. Some architects are happy to do all their work online or over the phone with you, but if you’d prefer to work with an architect in person then check that your chosen architects in Washington D.C., DC will travel to you.

    What is the process to hire an architect?


    At the first meeting, preferably at your property or building site, give as clear a picture as possible of the kind of home you are trying to create to your architects. Chat through your goals, projected budget, scope of work, schedule and feedback, together with any very specific requirements you might have. It is crucial that your architects are clear about their responsibilities and that these are documented in the contract. Ask them to walk you through the process, including the number of architectural design consultations, site visits and what they will be delivering and when, e.g. feasibility study, a technical drawing, tender package and/or planning application drawings. They could illustrate this using a previous client’s project. Also, what does the architect need from you? Deeds, rights of way, deposit, staged payments etc. Once you have covered all this detail, you are ready to make your choice and get started. The architecture company in Washington D.C., DC that you hire will likely start with concept drawings and finish with construction drawings and documents. Some firms even design with 3D renderings, CAD and videos, but this is by no means essential.

    What makes a good architect?


    You are looking for architects in Washington D.C., DC that have the right balance of creative flair, technical nous, practicality and impeccable service to see you through. Get a sense of whether they are a good listener, collaborator and problem solver. Checking their references will also be invaluable at this stage so look at their Houzz profile for past customer reviews. Ask to speak to previous clients, particularly regarding their responsiveness and ability to work creatively around a budget.

    How much does hiring an architect cost?


    There is no set payment structure for an architect. Some Washington D.C., DC architects will charge an hourly rate, others base their fees on a percentage of the total construction cost or propose a fixed fee (payable in instalments) for projects such as house extensions or a complete home design. You may wish to pay in stages to safeguard against any possible dissatisfaction with the quality of service. Make sure the total figure and payment schedule is agreed as part of your contract, particularly if you are trying to accurately estimate the cost of building a house.

    What are the important questions to ask architects in Washington D.C., DC?


    • How long have you been an architect in Washington D.C., DC? Are you part of ARB and RIBA? Are you part of any other associations of architectural design in Washington D.C., DC?
    • How would you improve my current property and what do you think is the best use of my available budget?
    • Please can you tell me about similar projects you have undertaken and why you are the right person for the job?
    • What will be some of the main challenges?
    • Do you have experience of managing the construction phase?
    • Will you be the lead architect on this project?
    • Can you give me an overview of this project and tell me who will be doing what?
    • How long will the project take?
    • What will you charge, and will that be based on an hourly rate, a percentage of the project cost, or a fixed fee?
    • Can you recommend builders and contractors in my area?
    • Is there other expenditure that I might have missed and and how can I sensibly cut those costs?
    • What happens if there is a dispute? How would you resolve it?
    • Do you have professional indemnity insurance?
    • How often will you be updating me on progress, either face to face or on the phone?

    Find architects in Washington D.C., DC on Houzz in the Find a Pro section today. Start by browsing the architects and Washington D.C., DC architectural design firms near you and assess their reviews, latest projects and contact details.

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