RWA creates exceptional projects that draw inspiration from the landscape, vernacular traditions and root principles of design – exalting the experience of place and the act of building simply and well. Whether located in urban fabric, garden suburbs or rural outposts, the firm’s acclaimed buildings all share a sense of belonging and purpose.
The work featured here hopefully speaks for itself. As we begin every project and consider the qualities of a site and existing structure(s), we seek design solutions that preserve and enhance the good, eliminate or mitigate the bad, and take maximum advantage of opportunities, hidden or in plain view. With a tendency to steer away from bold statements , we hold that studied restraint is more powerful and ultimately more enduring, yet RWA projects have a commanding presence. These qualities have been noticed by our peers and the press, as the work over a thirty year period has won numerous national and local design awards, and been published in Architectural Digest, DWELL, Elle Décor, Met Home, Residential Design, the New York Times and Washington Post magazines.
The work featured here hopefully speaks for itself. As we begin every project and consider the qualities of a site and existing structure(s), we seek design solutions that preserve and enhance the good, eliminate or mitigate the bad, and take maximum advantage of opportunities, hidden or in plain view. With a tendency to steer away from bold statements , we hold that studied restraint is more powerful and ultimately more enduring, yet RWA projects have a commanding presence. These qualities have been noticed by our peers and the press, as the work over a thirty year period has won numerous national and local design awards, and been published in Architectural Digest, DWELL, Elle Décor, Met Home, Residential Design, the New York Times and Washington Post magazines.
TEAM
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RICHARD WILLIAMS, FAIARichard Williams FAIA is the founding principal of RWA since 1999, and from 1986-99 was a founding principal of Williams & Dynerman Architects. He has focused his career to the making of architecture that is integral to the landscape, and interiors integral to both. The work of his firms has been recognized by numerous local and national awards and in publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Architectural Record, Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home, Interiors, Dwell and Residential Design. Inducted into the AIA College of Fellows in 2010, he has been listed in the AD100, and recently served two terms on the US Commission of Fine Arts Old Georgetown Board with distinction. Richard received his BA from Harvard College graduating Magna Cum Laude in History & Literature; pursued additional studies at the University of Edinburgh Graduate Dept. of Urban Design and Regional Planning and received his M. Arch degree at the University of Virginia School of Architecture, with highest honors.
Principal
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JUSTIN DONOVAN, AIAJustin Donovan received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Auburn University in 2001 where he graduated with highest honors and participated in the Rural Studio design-build program. Justin’s hands-on approach to Architecture and passion for the design process is rooted in an analog tradition; helping to craft the site specific and intense design exploration that begins every project. Justin has worked closely with Richard Williams for over 20 years on award-winning projects including Lake House (Wellington, ON), Fletcher’s Mill (Sperryville, VA) as well as the Washington National Cathedral’s Garth and Cornerstone Garden.
PARTNERJustin -
RUKHASAR BAGWANRukhasar completed her bachelor’s degree from Mumbai, India before moving to the US to pursue her M.S in Architecture from Syracuse University. She had two years’ experience in residential architecture and interiors in Mumbai before joining RWA in 2020. Her expertise in design and interiors has consistently helped elevate the projects she's involved in. Rukhasar is passionate about creating spaces that not only meet practical needs but also inspire and enhance the lives of those who inhabit them. She has a passion for travel and enjoys exploring new restaurants in the DMV area. Additionally, she is actively engaged in learning the Korean language and has taken up tennis as a sport.
Architectural Designer
Rukhasar -
OLIVIA CALALO KUMAR, AIAOlivia grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area before attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she received her Bachelor of Architecture in 2013. After school, Olivia worked in San Francisco and Washington DC, on a range of commercial and civic projects. She completed her M.S. in Advanced Architectural Design at Cornell in 2020, shifting her academic and professional focus to residential architecture. Olivia loves the problem-solving aspects of architecture and design, especially working through details and construction. In her free time, Olivia enjoys sewing and staying active through running and boxing.
Staff Architect
Olivia -
SOORUJ BHATIASooruj Bhatia is an architectural designer at Richard Williams Architects. Sooruj’s architectural interests lie in sustainability, digital-analog blurring, and narrative and socially responsible design. His hobbies include music production and a budding record collection.
Architectural Designer
Sooruj holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech in the class of 2023.
Sooruj -
DAVID LANGDON, AIADavid is an architect with interests in history and theory. Prior to joining RWA, he worked in offices in New York City and Chicago and taught at the IIT College of Architecture. David received his M.Arch in 2018 from the Yale School of Architecture, where he received the Alpha Rho Chi Medal and the Gertraud Wood Traveling Fellowship, and his B.A. summa cum laude from Yale College in 2013. He can often be found exploring the D.C. food scene and hanging out with his German Shepherd, Indy.
Staff Architect
David