Founded in 1986, Architecture, Incorporated is a 60-person, award-winning planning, architecture, and interior design practice. We are united in the belief that as trusted advisers and design leaders, we reach beyond the predictable to turn vision into reality while solving complex challenges for public, private, and government clients—improving quality of life through the built environment.
Our projects range from complex renovations to new construction for commercial, hospitality, education, healthcare, senior living, multifamily, and sports and recreation clients across the region. This wide range of design experience and core value of client service has made Architecture, Inc. recognized as one of the most prominent firms in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
CONTENTS
• Practice Area
• Trends
• Case Studies
• Design Recognition
• Client List
HOTELSANDRESORTS
A sense of comfort and familiarity has always reinforced the success of the guest experience. Quality environments, attention to detail, anticipated needs, friendly discourse, breaking bread—all are requirements enhanced by the interaction of people in a comfortable, seemingly familiar setting.
We create environments that encourage guests to feel not just accommodated, but that surpasses their expectations. We understand the needs of guests to sense a level of value and richness. A complex mix of needs, routines, and emotions, that link their home and family to these unfamiliar settings, must be acknowledged and anticipated.
The environments we design integrate the qualities expected by the guests, allowing them to settle in and feel comfortable. We know much activity is not seen by your guests while you provide seemingly effortless service and unmatched accommodation. We understand and create designs that allow their pulse to slow, spirit to recharge, and spark the desire to return.
Hotel lobbies have evolved beyond utilitarian functions like checking in or waiting for a cab. They have taken center stage as a place to see and be seen. They are also an extension of the room, and function as a community amenity to live, work, and play.
As travelers’ needs change, the priorities of younger guests have dramatically influenced the design of hotel lobbies and bars—they are an extension of their homes, offices, and businesses. In addition to a variety of comfortable seating options, WiFi, access to recharging plugs, and 24/7 food and beverage are now the norm.
TRENDS
Bringing “local” into the hotel can be interpreted in many ways: locally sourced craftsmen and products, artwork that features recognizable landmarks, or wayfinding that reinterprets the city fabric. But “local” can be further expressed by thinking more about the community.
Historically, hotels have been centers of the community—a role they are reclaiming. Local residents live, work, and shop near the hotel; but rarely gravitate towards the property for its amenities and sense of community. They may not need a room, but they do need a service and the hotel can deliver it.
CASE STUDY
SALAMANDER RESORT AND SPA
The Salamander Resort is located in the foothills of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains on 340 acres in the historic town of Middleburg. It was designed to be horse country’s most unique and sought after luxury retreat. Guests have a choice of staying in a variety of luxurious guest rooms and suites in the four-story, 168-room lodge.
The resort offers a 23,000 sf spa including 14 treatment rooms with fireplaces, an outdoor spa courtyard, and a relaxation pool. Also featured is a full fitness center, two formal restaurant venues, a 20-stall horse barn, and scenic riding trails for the resort’s equestrian program. There is a 5,000 sf ballroom which comfortably seats 320 guests and can be utilized for a variety of events, from conferences to receptions. Sustainability and care to maintain the rural character of the site were paramount in the design.
DESIGN RECOGNITION
Airtravel Magazine
Forbes Travel Guide
NAIOP Northern Virginia
US News and World Report
Washingtonian Magazine
01 CASE STUDY
the grand living room
spa pool
stables guest suite
CASE STUDY
massage rooms
ARLO DC
Arlo DC is a new 12-story, 445-room hotel incorporating the District’s oldest surviving apartment building, the 1888 Harrison apartments. The historic structure’s exterior walls and cast iron supported masonry vaults are restored and the deteriorated wood floors and roof replaced. Perched on Judiciary Square in the heart of Northwest DC, Arlo is a mix of two eras, juxtaposing old with new, featuring Arlo’s trademark contemporary guestrooms and generous public areas.
The restored Harrison building boasts guestrooms and suites with exposed brick walls and vaulted ceilings, rooftop patios, along with a ground floor bar, lounge and meeting rooms fronting 3rd Street. The new 12-story addition features guestrooms and suites, a premier restaurant and bar, interior courtyard, fitness center, neighborhood bodega, additional retail space, and a breathtaking rooftop lounge, penthouse, and outdoor pool with views across Judiciary Square to the monuments beyond. Architecture, Inc. worked with Arlo to masterplan the full city block project, incorporating their unique brand standards (efficient rooms, oversize public amenities) across a very challenging site.
DESIGN RECOGNITION
NAIOP DC | MD Awards of Excellence
BIA Brick in Architecture Awards
ARLO
before of The Canterbury - historic building
02 CASE STUDY
guest suite
studio break room
terrace
02 CASE STUDY
fireplace lounge
bar - arrels
02 CASE STUDY
elevation view
12-story hotel
CASE STUDY
MILLS HOUSE
The historic Mills House hotel was reimagined and re-branded as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, thoughtfully designed to be a premium, lifestyle-oriented hotel embodying Charleston’s rich history and Southern hospitality.
The comprehensive renovation and transformation of the seven-story, 136,000 sf beloved pink landmark with 216 keys includes notable additions such as a lush hidden garden and courtyard, a ballroom, meeting rooms, lively communal spaces, a café, and a high-end restaurant and bar with an outdoor fireplace. The second floor features a renovated pool deck with a sophisticated black-and-white palette, a rooftop bar, and a terrace. The accommodations evoke an upscale residential ambiance, characterized by modern furnishings and sleek design elements to elevate the guest experience.
CASE STUDY
outdoor pool
black door cafe lobby
iron rose restaurant
VICEROY DC
Set in the vibrant Logan Circle neighborhood, the new Viceroy Washington DC is the most recent repositioning of the hotel property and the third renovation of the building led by Architecture, Inc. The urban hotel, Viceroy’s first DC property, is envisioned as a haven for visitors in the heart of Washington, DC’s art and culinary scene. The exterior of the 10-story hotel was updated with a graphic mural by Brandon Hill of No Kings Collective. On the interior, the 178-key hotel features an updated lobby with a vibrant art collection, new coffee and wine bar, restaurant adjacent to an outdoor patio, meeting space, and an intimate 1,695 square foot ballroom and salon.
The décor is highlighted with saturated color palettes, deep greens and jewel tones with subtle gold accents accompany statement walls of jungle-themed patterns in the salon. On the upper floors, refreshed corridors and guestrooms feature new finishes and convenient technology. The hotel’s stylish rooftop offers an openair sanctuary with a pool and incredible views. The project is a collaboration between Architecture, Inc., EDG Interior Architecture + Design, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, and Viceroy Hotels. The property was previously both Mason & Rook and Helix Hotel, both renovations led by Architecture, Inc.
DESIGN RECOGNITION
ABC of Metro Washington
rebranded entry
VICEROY DC patio
coffee bar
HILTON DC NATIONAL MALL
Located prominently on L’Enfant Plaza in Southwest Washington, DC, the modernist L’Enfant Plaza Hotel has undergone a complete renovation and reopened as the Hilton Washington DC National Mall Hotel. The 1973 building was designed by Washington, DC architect Vlastimil Koubek. The complex interior renovation comprises the entire Plaza level containing a lobby, restaurant, bar, kitchen, meeting rooms, ballroom, administrative spaces, and other common areas; in addition to the 367 keys on the top four floors. MEP systems, many shared with the eight-story office building component of the property, were upgraded throughout.
Exterior work includes replacement of the entry canopy and approach drive, guestroom fenestration, a solarium, and a replacement of an outdoor pool deck located on the twelfth floor. The LEED Silver design is the coordinated effort of Studio HBA, Architecture, Inc., Stanford Hotels, and Hilton.
DESIGN RECOGNITION
LEED Silver
ballroom
HILTON DC NATIONAL MALL guestroom ballroom
HOTEL ZENA
For the most recent renovation of a hotel property on Washington, DC’s Thomas Circle, the former Donovan House was reimagined as the Hotel Zena, a tribute to female empowerment. Renovations in the 12-story, 191-key hotel include a new expanded lobby lounge, second floor meeting space, refreshed corridors and guestrooms, and a remodeled rooftop with pool.
To reinforce the theme, the exterior was refreshed with a mural titled “Warrior Guardians” by DC artist Miss Chelove featuring two women warriors. An art program in the interior features 60 pieces that represent influential women in history including a portrait of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The $25M renovation was a collaboration between Architecture, Inc., Dawson Design Associates, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, and Viceroy Hotels. This is the second repositioning of the hotel property led by Architecture, Inc., first transformed into Donovan House in 2008.
rooftop bar
HOTEL ZENA
mural
rooftop lounge
rooftop pool
CASE STUDY
MASON & ROOK 07
The ten-story former Helix Hotel, nestled in a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood, underwent a comprehensive renovation, transforming it into Mason & Rook. The exterior was reconfigured to include a brick paved driveway and the dreary facade was punctuated with full height storefront, glass and steel canopy, and a facade clad in metal and rich teak. The building’s defunct pool was uncovered and refinished, creating a hidden rooftop oasis.
A distinctive lobby and reception area recalls a residential library, complete with chess board, comfortable, classic furniture, and curated pieces. Rich wood wraps the floors and walls, while understated lighting makes the most of the limited ceiling heights. The underutilized restaurant and outdoor patio were transformed into an upscale neighborhood restaurant and bar.
The 196 guestrooms underwent a similar transformation, including reconfigured bathrooms and elimination of former kitchen space from the building’s apartment era. Rich wood flooring and paneling, unique furniture, and curated art and photography complete the rooms. Guest Baths include marble tile, marble vanities, oversized glass door showers, and standalone tubs.
CASE STUDY
outdoor lounge
green roof rebranded entry
rooftop pool
MORRISONCLARK INN
In 1864, two leading Washington, DC families built their homes just off of fashionable Massachusetts Avenue. These homes would eventually form the heart of the historic Morrison-Clark Inn—almost 150 years later. The restored 19th-century mansion retains much of the elegant charm of the original houses, including lofty medallioned ceilings, Italian Carrara decorativemarble fireplaces, and an exquisite red-tiled Shanghai roof. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the complex restoration project involved preservation of the historic elements including the original facade.
Morrison-Clark retained Architecture, Inc. to expand the facility to include three adjoining buildings: a church, a 1700’s row house, and a carriage house. The expansion included structural facade bracing of the church and retention of its two primary facades, renovation of a historic row house and carriage house to become guestrooms, and a six-story addition behind enclosing an existing garden court. The project joined the existing historic Inn via two glazed pedestrian bridges at the upper floors and a glazed passage just above grade. The addition houses the relocated main entry, lobby, reception, and bar.
DESIGN RECOGNITION
NAIOP DC | MD
2025
Arlo Washington DC
NAIOP DC | MD Awards of Excellence, Best Renovation, Historic Preservation: Award of Merit
Brick Industry Association (BIA) Brick in Architecture Awards, Historic Renovation: Gold Award
Town of Hall at Campus Commons
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Amenity Space: Award of Excellence
Louise Archer Elementary School
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Capital Improvement Public: Award of Excellence
ABC of Metro Washington Excellence in Construction Awards, Educational: Award of Excellence
ABC Chesapeake Shores Excellence in Construction Awards, Institutional: Award of Excellence
ABC Delaware Excellence in Construction Awards, Institutional: Award of Excellence
Monumental Sports Network
Washington Building Congress | Craftmanship Awards, Lighting and Electrical Systems
2024
Monumental Sports Network
NAIOP DC | MD Awards of Excellence, Best Interiors 25,00175,000 sf: Award of Excellence
District E
restaurant development+design awards, Form and Function Innovation Award
2023
Ellen M. Bozman Government Center
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Buildings, Capital Improvement Institutional: Award of Merit
Inova Center for Personalized Health Executive Suites
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Buildings, Interior Tenant Space 50,000 + SF: Award of Merit
Inova Center for Personalized Health Tower 8
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Buildings, Capital Improvement Non-Institutional: Award of Excellence
Mellow Mushroom - Virginia Beach
HRACRE Excellence in Development Design Award, Buildings, Best Restaurant/Eatery/Bar: Award of Merti
The Residence at Colvin Run
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Buildings, Multi-Family Residential: Award of Excellence
Fairfax County James M. Scott Exceptional Design Award, Community Benefit Project: Award of Merit
2022
8150 Leesburg Pike Amenity Space
Fairfax County James M. Scott Exceptional Design Award, Commercial Interiors: Award of Merit
Knollwood Country Club
Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Central Connecticut, Hobi Award: Best Commercial Rehab
2021
8150 Leesburg Pike Amenity Space
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Buildings, Amenity Space: Award of Excellence
Maryvale Elementary School / Carl Sandburg Learning Center
ABC of Metro Washington Excellence in Construction Awards, Educational: Award of Excellence
Learning by Design Architectural Awards, Multi-Use/Joint-Use Building : Outstanding Project
Salamander Resort & Spa
US News and World Report, Best Hotels in the US: Gold Badge
Viceroy DC
ABC of Metro Washington Excellence in Construction Awards, Commercial/Residential Renovation $2-$4M - Award of Excellence
2020
Coolidge Senior High School
Learning by Design Architectural Awards, Combined-Level School: Outstanding Project
West Springfield High School
ABC of Metro Washington Excellence in Construction Awards: Award of Excellence
2019
700 Constitution
Multifamily Executive MFE Awards, Adaptive Reuse: Grand Winner
Coolidge Senior High School
ACEC Metropolitan Washington Excellence Awards, Renovations and Additions: Honor Award
Inova Sports Medicine
Fairfax County James M. Scott Exceptional Design Award, Institutional: Honor Award
Mellow Mushroom - Chantilly
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Restaurant Interior
Build-Out: Honorable Mention
IIDA Mid-Atlantic Premier Design Awards, Retail: Honor Award
2018
700 Constitution
AIA Northern Virginia Design Award, Historic Architecture: Award of Merit
Building Design + Construction Reconstruction Awards: Bronze
NAIOP DC | MD Awards of Excellence, Best Renovation: Award of Excellence
Compass Rose
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Interiors, Tenant Space
0 to 10,000 sf: Award of Excellence
Current Salon Shop! Design Awards Competition, Service Retailer: Silver Award
Mellow Mushroom - Chantilly
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Building - Hospitality/ Retail: Award of Excellence
Opaline Bar and Brasserie
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Commercial/ Residential Renovation under $1M: Award of Excellence
Propel Swim Academy
US Swim Schools Association, Facility: Award of Excellence
Salamander Resort & Spa
Forbes Travel Guide, 2018 World’s Most Luxurious Hotels
Terraset Elementary School
Learning by Design Architectural Awards, Elementary School: Outstanding Project
TRUEBODY Bethesda
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Commercial $512M: Award of Excellence
2017
Terraset Elementary School
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Capital ImprovementInstitutional: Award of Excellence
2016
Arlington County Department of Human Services
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Interiors Tenant Space 50,000 sf and Above: Award of Merit
Hotel Palomar
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): Award of Excellence
Morrison-Clark Hotel
NAIOP DC | MD Awards of Excellence, Best Hospitality ProjectBoutique Service: Award of Excellence
RECOGNITION
QIAGEN
NAIOP DC | MD Awards of Excellence, Best InteriorsHealthcare/Biotech/Lab: Award of Merit
2015
Children’s Science Center
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Best Interiors - Retail: Award of Merit
Marina Landing at Belmont Bay
Great American Living Awards (GALA), Best Design and Architecture - Multi-Family/Mixed-Use
Sage
Fairfax County Exceptional Design Awards, Commercial Office (Interiors): Honorable Mention
Tower Club
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Best Interiors - Retail: Award of Excellence
2014
3251 Old Lee Highway
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Best Building Renovation - Capital Improvement: Award of Excellence
Graham Road Elementary School
American School & University Magazine, Outstanding Designs: Interior Renovation
Loudoun Medical Office Building III
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Best Building Renovtion, Adaptive Re-Use: Award of Merit
Mellow Mushroom – Herndon
IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Design Awards, Retail: The Bronze Award
2013
Salamander Resort & Spa
Best of NAIOP Northern Virginia Award, Best Building - Build-toSuit Non-Institutional Facility: Award of Excellence
W.T. Woodson High School
American School & University Magazine, Outstanding Designs: Renovation/Modernization
2012
CurvyGirls Bridal
Fairfax County Exceptional Design Awards, Office (Interiors): Honorable Mention
