The Best Office Architects in Washington DC

In the bustling landscape of Washington, DC, where the pulse of government, commerce, and culture converge, the design and construction of office spaces stand as a testament to innovation and functionality. Whether breathing life into historic structures or erecting contemporary marvels, architects’ role in shaping the capital’s skyline is indispensable.

About 671,803 people live in Washington, DC; the median home value is $625,000. Office projects in Washington, DC, span a wide spectrum of scale and complexity, with costs ranging from $150,000 to over $1 million. These figures reflect not only the size and scope of the projects but also the premium placed on quality design and materials. The average cost of a construction project over the past two years is $159.13 per square foot. The timeline for such endeavors can be substantial, with some ventures stretching up to 50 weeks for completion. However, navigating these timelines is challenging, as unforeseen obstacles are common in construction.

Permit data extracted from Washington, DC’s building department unveils a landscape dotted with contractors specializing in office projects, and 4,906 projects for construction have occurred over the past two years. Yet, amidst this array of options, the critical task remains: selecting a contractor who not only meets budgetary constraints but also aligns with the vision and standards of the project. The importance of this decision cannot be overstated, as the repercussions of choosing an unreliable contractor can manifest in significant delays, budget overruns, and undue stress. In a city where every square foot tells a story, finding the right architect is not merely a matter of construction; it’s a narrative of trust, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence.

Overview: The Best Office Architects in Washington DC

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more.

FOX Architects

1240 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

FOX Architects is an award-winning interior design firm headquartered in Washington, DC. Founded by Bob Fox, the firm focuses on building innovative environments. For nearly two decades, it has specialized in creating office spaces that reinvent environments and inspire clients and the community to thrive. The firm fosters solid customer relationships by striving to be consistently responsive and deliver on its promises.

Bob serves as FOX Architects’ chairman and principal and is known for his open-minded and innovative approach to workplace design. He brings over 30 years of experience in the architecture field and is an active member of the design community. He is also a registered architect in 25 states. In 2019, the firm was named the Chapter Design Award Winner for Architecture by the AIA DC.

HYL Architecture

607 14th Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005

HYL Architecture is a Washington, DC, firm that has been providing high-quality designs and strategy services for corporate, nonprofit, associations, and government affairs clients. The firm specializes in developing offices, including corporate offices, corporate headquarters, law firms, associations, foundations, and financial services, approaching each project holistically and in detail. The firm ensures each project is tailored to match its clients’ workplace culture and business to produce more valuable results. As a testament to its excellence, HYL Architecture received the Award of Excellence for Best Interiors (Over 75,000 SF) at the NAIOP DC|MD 2021 Design Awards.

Catherine Heath supervises the team and is the founder of HYL Architecture. She is one of the leading commercial interior designers in the world and has led the design process of some of the most notable law firms and offices in the U.S. The firm won the 2022 IIDA Mid Atlantic Chapter Premiere Design Awards.

Bonstra | Haresign Architects

1728 Fourteenth Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009

Bonstra | Haresign Architects is an award-winning architecture firm that believes architecture should fulfill clients’ and the community’s aspirations and complement the environment. The firm is a 30-person team of architects and designers passionate about creating transformative solutions. It specializes in residential, workplace, retail, mixed-use, and recreation projects, employing thoughtful analysis, discovery, and collaboration that ultimately lead to unique designs.

The company is managed by William J. Bonstra and David Haresign. William is a renowned expert whose work has received over 50 national and regional awards and been featured in over 40 international, national, and regional design journals and publications. David, meanwhile, is a recognized expert and leader in all aspects of planning and architecture and a recipient of over 125 design and community/industry awards. The firm was featured in multiple magazines, including the Washingtonian and Architect Magazine.

CORE Architecture + Design

1010 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 405, Washington, DC 20007

CORE Architecture + Design Washington DC is an award-winning architectural design firm. Founded by Dale Stewart, the firm was established to create intentional designs that shape experiences. The firm specializes in recreational, retail, restaurants, education, multi-family, and office spaces, striving to earn each client’s trust by leading with experience. For over three decades in the industry, CORE Architecture + Design has started each design process by exploring and understanding customers’ business goals and aspirations. Doing so enables it to identify clients’ needs and define the story of their building.

Since the company’s inception, Dale has focused on leading the firm’s projects, including design documentation and construction quality control. His 38 years of experience demonstrate his strong expertise in master planning, historic preservation, and commercial interiors.

CallisonRTKL

2101 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

CallisonRTKL is a Washington, DC, architecture, planning, and design practice specializing in various services, including commercial interior, historic preservation, interior architecture and design, and landscape architecture. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the firm serves various market sectors, such as automotive, civic/cultural, corporate workplace, government, health care, office building, and retail. CallisonRTKL remains committed to enriching clients’ lives and adding value to their businesses.

CallisonRTKL operates under the leadership of Jodi Williams and Kim Heartwell. The former leads the Washington, DC office, brings over 15 years of experience, and leads the firm’s strategic planning efforts. Meanwhile, Kim is the president and CEO of CallisonRTKL. She leads the company’s firmwide vision and market growth strategies and has led the team on some of the firm’s most impressive workplace projects.

DCS Design

8614 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 800, Tysons, VA 22182

DCS Design is a full-service architectural firm founded on the belief that honesty, integrity, and commitment to service are the most effective ways of doing business. The firm specializes in architecture, interior architecture, master planning, sustainable design, branding, and human wellness, taking pride in its unwavering dedication to its clients, employees, and community. Since its establishment, the firm has constructed many award-winning buildings and continues to focus on sustainability.

DCS Design is a talented, multi-cultural team—they treat one another as family. They are managed by Douglas Carter and Lena Scott, the firm’s principal architect and interior designer. Under their direction, the firm has won numerous accolades, including the 2020 Excellence in Construction Award and the 2019 NAIOP Northern Virginia Award of Merit.

Travis Price Architects

2805 Chesterfield Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

Travis Price Architects in Washington, DC, is an award-winning architecture firm widely praised for its innovative discoveries and inventive aesthetics. It is dedicated to building structures that represent the heart of the built environment’s natural surroundings. The firm specializes in single-family residential, multi-family residential, institutional, retail, office, and restaurant projects in the U.S., Asia, and Europe.

Travis Price is a recognized architect with NCARB who practices and lectures nationally and internationally. He is also an environmentalist, author, educator, and contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler Magazine. Under his leadership, Travis Price Architects won 25 Outstanding Design Awards from the American Institute of Architects and the 2013 IFRAA Design Award. The firm was also featured in numerous publications, including Indianapolis Monthly and Designboom.

OTJ Architects

555 11th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20004

OTJ Architects is a premier design and architecture firm in Washington, DC, working with clients to imagine next-generation design solutions that improve the ever-changing real estate landscapes across the nation. The firm specializes in a wide spectrum of projects, including the arts and culture, education, lifestyle and hospitality, multi-family residential, office, and life sciences sectors. The firm prides itself on partnering with leaders from different market sectors to produce human-centric solutions.

Gary Martinez is an internationally acclaimed expert specializing in the design of cultural and performing arts centers. He is OTJ Architects’ senior principal and director and directs the execution of the firm’s projects. His work has been featured in multiple national and regional outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. In 2023, OTJ Architects received the Interior Design’s 2023 Best of Year Award.

Hickok Cole

301 N Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Hickok Cole is an architecture and design practice connecting imaginative ideas and diverse backgrounds, and partners with a vision to build meaningful and durable spaces. The firm specializes in education, government, hospitality, mixed-use, office, multi-family, retail, and entertainment facilities, serving clients in DC and Virginia. The firm includes a 100-person team of architects, project managers, interior designers, graphic/media designers, strategists, and researchers, contributing to the design and success of each project. The firm believes in the connected power of collaboration, so it ensures every voice is heard.

Michael E. Hickok and Yolanda Cole are the company’s managing principals. With over 60 years of combined experience, both are widely recognized for their knowledge and expertise in architecture and are members of the Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. In 2016, the firm received the Award of Merit from AIA Northern Virginia. Notably, the firm was featured in the Architect’s Newspaper.

Shalom Baranes Associates

1010 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20007

Shalom Baranes Associates is an award-winning architectural firm known for its expertise in residential, commercial, institutional, and governmental design. The firm specializes in architecture, project management, historic preservation, interior design, and master planning. Since its founding, it has been at the forefront of the city’s development. The firm offers full services for private and public sector clients across Washington, DC, and beyond. Shalom Baranes Associates’ ability to create practical building solutions has enabled it to earn the respect of many.

Shalom Baranes leads his namesake company and is a recognized leader. He was among the youngest ever elevated to the AIA College of Fellows and chaired the Architectural Review Panel for the District of Columbia.

GTM Architects

7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814

Operating nationwide, GTM Architects is a recognized residential and commercial architecture firm. It specializes in architecture, planning, and interior design services and has always been committed to serving the needs and visions of its clients above anything else. The firm prides itself on its team of experts who possess extensive knowledge and an array of skills across various specialties. During its 33 years in the business, the firm has established a portfolio of residential, restaurant, offices, retail, mixed-use, and recreational projects, each led by a reliable design team.

GTM Architects is overseen by James C. Myers, who has been with the company since 1995. The firm’s founder, George Myers, continues to lead the company as president. He is a registered architect in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and more than 20 states nationwide. Multiple media outlets, including The Business Journals and The Washington Post, have featured the firm.

Architecture Incorporated

1902 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 101, Reston, VA 20191

Founded by William R. Drury and Rusty Shaw, Architecture Incorporated is an award-winning planning, architecture, and interior design practice that turns visions into reality. The firm is a 60-person team committed to enhancing lives through high-quality built environments. It specializes in various projects, including sports and recreation, interiors and workplaces, commercial buildings, education, healthcare, life sciences, hospitality, restaurants, and multi-family housing. The firm serves Reston, Washington, and the surrounding area.

Both principals bring 40 years of architecture experience. They are passionate about working closely with clients to ensure their projects turn out the way they want. William is licensed to perform work in over 15 states, and Rusty is recognized for his stewardship, forward-thinking designs, innovation, and unparalleled service.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of architects, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the office architects in the Washington DC area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.