Business Details
48 Years
experience
Award-Winning Architectural Design in Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1978, David M. Schwarz Architects has dedicated over four decades to crafting sustainable, human-centered spaces that enhance public realms and enrich community life. Our practice, rooted in Washington, D.C., emphasizes placemaking and collaboration, tailoring each project to its unique context and user needs. With expertise spanning civic, cultural, healthcare, residential, and mixed-use developments, we prioritize design excellence through attention to scale, materials, and detail. Our philosophy centers on creating enduring solutions that foster belonging and identity while addressing client needs, site characteristics, and architectural themes.Recognized for awards like the ULI Washington Award for Excellence and SARA National Design Award, we maintain a collaborative studio environment focused on innovation and responsiveness. Our historic preservation work in D.C. informs our commitment to sustainable neighborhoods that balance humanity, community, and purpose. Operating as a single-office firm, we deliver detail-driven architectural and planning solutions across diverse project typologies.
Services
Civic Architecture
Cultural Projects
Sports Venues
Healthcare Facilities
Residential Design
Mixed-Use Development
Historic Preservation
Master Planning
Educational Buildings
Commercial Architecture
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We have 45+ years of experience in human-centered architectural design
- Our portfolio includes 2025 ULI Washington Award-winning mixed-use developments
- We combine historic preservation expertise with modern sustainability practices
- Our collaborative studio approach ensures client-focused, context-sensitive solutions
- Recognized with multiple design awards including SARA National Design Award
Associations and certifications
- International Living Future Institute
What people say
Award-winning designs
Sustainable solutions
Context-sensitive architecture
Collaborative approach
Enduring quality
Services
Civic Architecture
We design civic spaces that foster community engagement through human-centered design principles. Our approach combines contextual sensitivity with functional innovation to create enduring public institutions. Projects include cultural centers, government buildings, and urban plazas that enhance civic identity while meeting modern sustainability standards.
Cultural Projects
Our cultural architecture creates immersive environments for arts institutions through thoughtful spatial planning. We specialize in performance halls, museums, and exhibition spaces that balance acoustic excellence with aesthetic appeal. Recent projects include the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and Dickies Arena, both recognized for design innovation.
Sports Venues
We develop multi-purpose sports facilities that enhance fan experiences while integrating with urban environments. Our designs prioritize flexibility for diverse events, from professional sports to concerts. Notable work includes Dickies Arena, which received the ICAA Texas John Staub Award for its contextual architectural language.
Historic Preservation
Our preservation practice revitalizes historic structures while maintaining architectural integrity. We employ traditional craftsmanship combined with modern materials to extend building lifespans. This expertise, developed through D.C. historic district projects, informs our approach to creating sustainable neighborhoods with cultural continuity.
Master Planning
We create comprehensive development plans that balance density with livability through human-scaled urbanism. Our master plans integrate mixed-use developments with public spaces, as demonstrated in the Chevy Chase Lake project that won the 2025 ULI Washington Award for Excellence in Mixed-Use Development.
People
David M. Schwarz
Founder & Chairman
Founder of DMSAS with 45+ years of architectural experience, David Schwarz pioneered human-centered design approaches that shape the firm's philosophy. His work on Bass Hall and The Smith Center demonstrates commitment to creating enduring civic spaces that enrich community life.
Steve Knight
Principal
Principal-in-Charge of award-winning projects like the Orion Amphitheater, Steve Knight leads design teams in creating culturally significant venues. His expertise in performance spaces has earned multiple design accolades, including the John Russell Pope Award for the Orion Amphitheater.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in civic, cultural, sports, healthcare, residential, and mixed-use developments, with particular expertise in historic preservation and human-centered design.
How does your firm approach sustainability?
Our sustainability approach integrates passive design strategies, material efficiency, and LEED-certified practices while prioritizing long-term building adaptability and neighborhood-scale environmental impact.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Washington, D.C., we work on projects nationwide with recent completed work in Nashville, Fort Worth, Annapolis, and Saint Barthlemy.
How do you ensure client needs are met?
We maintain direct principal involvement throughout projects, using collaborative workshops and iterative design reviews to align solutions with client goals and community needs.
What awards has the firm received?
Our recent awards include the 2025 ULI Washington Award for Excellence, 2022 ICAA Texas John Staub Award, and SARA National Design Award for diverse project types.
