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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
1 – 15 of 4,522 professionals
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4,522 Professionals

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

Brennan + Company Architects
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars29 November 2012
“Architecture was important to achieving a finished job that integrated what we needed into our home. Rob Brennan achieved that and more when completing the renovation of our masterbath and living space. They listened to what we wanted and the outcome was exactly as we had imagined!”
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.”
Transforming Architecture LLC
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars19 March 2013
“Karen at Transforming Architecture was reccoemnded by my real estate agent as she had done work on his home. At our first meeting she gave us an idea of the scope of the projects she has accomplished and the fee structure. She really listened to our ideas and concerns for our kitchen renovation. Karen presented 3 visions for our renovation, one with exactly what we asked for and then two other options. The third design presented involved moving our kitchen and creating an open floor plan. This was beyond anything we could have imagined o our own and made the best use of the space and our renovation dollars. We are currently under construction but Karen is readily available to answer questions and make edits to the design. It is a pleasure to work with her and I can't wait to see her vision come to fruition.”
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.”
CARNEMARK design + build
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars11 June 2013
“Carnemark designed and implemented two major renovations for our home. We had used other contractors in the past, but they are the first ones we ever hired back for a second project. We are already thinking about our third with Carnemark! The first project was primarily outdoor work which was a combination of modernizing our look and fixing some water problems -- stuccoed the exterior, installed a metal roof, installed a glass and metal front door entrance and garage door, buried electric and cable wires, replaced cement driveway, installed slate and stainless steel rails at front entrance, installed new outdoor house and yard lighting and fixed a leaky basement wall. We were so pleased with this work, that we rehired them 2 years later for an interior overhaul -- new modern kitchen, reconfigured floor plan, updated bathroom, installed stainless steel railings and steps, new lighting, new air-conditioning duct work and radiators, and new large format tile flooring throughout.”
Donald Lococo Architects
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars16 December 2013
“I have been working with Donald Lococo Architects for the past two years on a large residential project in Alexandria, Virginia. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Donald and his staff. The house is a fabulous hybrid: traditional front facade contrasted with a thoroughly modern section in the back. The house is nearing completion...seeing this space come together - full of glass, light and dramatic open spaces - has been wonderful to watch. Five star design...five star firm!”
William Wheeler Architect
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars9 February 2020
“Very happy I selected Bill Wheeler as the architect who helped make our "dream" renovation a reality. Bill drew up the plans for this substantial kitchen and bathroom renovation, which involved the removal of two load-bearing wall portions and the need to create solutions to resulting flow challenges in the home's new layout. Bill demonstrated that he is highly-skilled and competent in the field. He was also easy to work with and patient. He listened to what we wanted, yet also had a great way of emphasizing--without pushing--his design recommendations that were not exactly what was initially in our mind. I am also happy with the contract selection and administration that he provided. He presided over periodic meetings with the owner and the general contractor, was key in preventing miscommunication, and crucial to timely resolution when conflict issues arose. We hired him after a deliberative search, and have no regrets at all!”
Balodemas Architects
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars15 February 2013
“We hired BA for architectural planning and project management of our renovation. We were very happy with their services. They provided a solid balance between creative design/planning and realistic execution. They understood our requirements and very good with cost control and managing timelines. We finished the renovation on time and within budget :)”
AXIS ARCHITECTS
Architects in Washington D.C., DC
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars19 June 2015
“We have been extremely satisfied with the workmanship and professionalism of Sahnur Bostan of Axis Design Build. Sahnur has communicated with us constantly and has been thorough in all of the plans he has put together for us to date. Sahnur worked with us on designing a 4,500 square foot addition to to our home. We were happy with the ideas he came up with and the attention to detail with every aspect of the plan. He was a pleasure to work with and went above and beyond to make sure our needs and wants were incorporated into the plans. We would definitely recommend him and Axis Design Build for plans large or small.”
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.”
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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?
    4,522Local 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.

    Find architects and building designers near me on Houzz

    Before you hire an architect or building designer in Washington D.C., browse through our network of 3,666 architects and building designers. Read through customer reviews, check their past projects and then request a quote from the best architects and building designers near you.
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