Business Details
34 Years
experience
Award-Winning Residential Architecture in Washington, D.C.
Claude C. Lapp, Architects is a distinguished and award-winning architectural firm specializing in custom residential architecture in the Washington, D.C. area. Our mission is to provide clients with high-quality designs tailored to their lifestyles, expectations, and budgets. With decades of experience, we combine versatility and imagination to transform design dreams into reality. Our multi-disciplinary expertise enables us to collaborate with clients from concept to final product, balancing historical preservation with modern amenities. We maintain strong relationships with top local builders to ensure seamless project execution. Founded in 1992 by principal architect Claude C.Lapp, our firm has designed hundreds of homes, prioritizing functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that endure. Our hands-on approach, technical excellence, and commitment to continuing education ensure every project meets rigorous standards. Client testimonials highlight our ability to blend architectural integrity with practical budgeting, earning recognition for award-winning designs. We serve Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, and surrounding regions, offering services including single-family homes, additions, renovations, and townhome developments. Our work consistently reflects a dedication to solving design challenges while enhancing livability and timeless beauty.
Services
Custom Residential Architecture
Single-Family Design
Additions & Renovations
Historic Preservation
Townhome Development
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of experience in residential architecture and renovations.
- Our team prioritizes client budgets while maintaining design excellence.
- We collaborate with top-rated local builders for seamless project execution.
- Our principal architect directly oversees quality initiatives on every project.
- We combine field construction knowledge with creative problem-solving expertise.
What people say
Award-winning designs
Exceeded expectations
Dedicated to client needs
Timeless architectural solutions
Seamless project execution
Services
Custom Residential Architecture
We create bespoke residential designs tailored to clients' lifestyles and budgets. Our approach balances aesthetic vision with practical functionality, ensuring spaces that feel both innovative and timeless. With decades of experience in Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas, we specialize in crafting homes that harmonize with their environments while meeting modern living standards.
Historic Preservation
Our team specializes in preserving architectural heritage while integrating modern amenities. We meticulously restore historical elements while ensuring structural integrity and contemporary functionality. This service caters to clients seeking to maintain historical character in properties across Bethesda, Potomac, and Washington, D.C., delivering solutions that honor the past while meeting current needs.
Additions & Renovations
We design seamless additions and renovations that enhance livability without compromising existing architectural style. Our expertise ensures cohesive transitions between old and new spaces, addressing structural challenges while optimizing functionality. Clients benefit from creative solutions that maximize value and adapt homes to evolving lifestyle requirements.
Single-Family Design
Our single-family home designs prioritize unique client visions and site-specific considerations. We create floor plans that optimize space, natural light, and flow, ensuring each home reflects its owner's personality. From contemporary to traditional styles, we deliver residences that combine aesthetic appeal with practical, everyday usability.
Townhome Development
We design townhome communities that balance density with livability, creating cohesive neighborhoods with distinct architectural identities. Our approach emphasizes efficient space planning, shared amenities, and contextual design that complements surrounding areas. This service caters to developers and homeowners seeking modern, market-ready multi-family solutions.
People
Claude C. Lapp
Principal Architect
Principal architect with 30+ years of experience, graduated from The Catholic University of America in 1978. Founded the firm in 1992 after six years in construction and apprenticeship at Patterson and Worland. Directly oversees design excellence and technical delivery for all projects.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in custom residential architecture, including single-family homes, additions, renovations, historic preservation, and townhome developments across Washington, D.C. and nearby areas.
How do you ensure projects stay within budget?
We work closely with clients to establish clear budget parameters early in the design process and maintain cost-conscious solutions without compromising quality or design integrity.
Do you handle both design and construction oversight?
While we focus on architectural design, we collaborate with trusted local builders to ensure seamless project execution from concept through final construction.
Can you preserve historical elements in renovations?
Yes, we specialize in maintaining historical character while integrating modern amenities, ensuring renovations respect original architectural styles in older homes.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, and surrounding communities in Maryland.
How long has your firm been in business?
Claude C. Lapp Architects has been designing award-winning residential projects since 1992, with over three decades of experience in the field.
Reviews (2)
Keith Stephenson
Jun 19, 2020
Report
Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Carter and I have built many custom homes over the past decade or more with Claude C. Lapp Architects, LLC. Chris and his Team consistently demonstrate an amazing ability to articulate the vision of our clients into a home design that is tailored to fit the needs of their family, remains price-conscious, and timeless.
Carter and I have built many custom homes over the past decade or more with Claude C. Lapp Architects, LLC. Chris and his Team consistently demonstrate an amazing ability to articulate the vision of our clients into a home design that is tailored to fit the needs of their family, remains price-conscious, and timeless.
Jodi Longo Bujak
Jun 10, 2015
Report
I've had the opportunity to work with about a dozen architects in MC. I can say without hesitation, working with Chris, Andrew and the whole team is an absolute pleasure. Going on new construction project #3 with this great team and looking very forward to it. Incredible with clients, responsive and incredibly creative. Jodi Longo, Renovation Studio
