Donald Lococo Architects

Over the last year, I've had the pleasure of working with Donald Lococo Architects through the concept development, design/specification drawings and contractor bidding process on my whole house renovation. Donald and David have been very responsive, insightful and collaborative throughout this process. They've made a daunting endevor of an extensive renovation, understandable and enjoyable. I look forward to entering the construction phase of this project in 2025 and seeing all of our wonderful designs come to fruition!

Donald is one of those unique people that sets an entirely different standard for excellent design. He is a joyful, creative soul that balances the artistry of architecture with the application of its every day purpose for those inhabiting a space. His work speaks for itself…Plus, he’s just a lot of fun to partner with!!!

Donald is a gifted visionary architect with a high class and unique process for trend setting execution. A charismatic and meticulously oriented creator- Donald will prioritize the quality and meaning behind each and every thoughtful decision. Every detail, each redline; an envy of admiration for the craft of branding at the highest level. Donald and his team are an exceptional talent and a brand unparalleled.

It was our great fortune to work with Donald on our recent home renovation. The project was more complex than anticipated: an addition, reformulating interior spaces, asbestos abatement, and COVID, among other challenges. But Donald’s passion for and commitment to the project kept it moving forward. As the homeowner, my relationship with Donald was one of trust. I trusted his design vision and process, and he advocated fiercely for us throughout the build. At the same time, Donald’s distinctive design inspired and united the team, maintaining everyone’s interest and investment and pushing each stakeholder to perform their best work. Because Donald possesses a keen understanding of the minutia of contracting, he was a true partner to our very experienced builder and worked collaboratively with the team at every turn. The result was a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that we now get to call our home. I am forever grateful that he took on our job.

Donald’s unique combination of gifts make him a highly original person and a creative juggernaut. He brought endless creative vision to our home renovation project, combining his historical knowledge of home design with a sharp artistic intuition. Because of Donald’s taste, skill, and inventiveness, our home turned out to be a work of art. Donald is also emotionally intelligent, a trait that centers his design philosophy on the home’s inhabitants. Donald got to know our family so that our home’s design would meet our needs. When necessary, he gently pushed us to consider alternative approaches to the home’s functionality and design. The result is a stunning architectural home that suits our needs and is beautiful beyond our dreams.

Inspired by the vision of what my husband and I considered to be a happy home, Donald and David never wavered. Subsequent meetings allowed DLA to redraw and hone that image. The team was emotionally invested in designing a home perfectly suited for our needs. A home was built around our family, rather than our family being placed in a house. Donald worked closely with me, refining our vision, never letting it go, making it more beautiful every step of the way. No stone was left unturned. Donald and David planned for the form and function of private and public spaces, working closely with the interior design team, landscape architect, and the general contractor. The final product, resulting from a confluence of highly skilled experts, all charged by the architecture, a timeless home I am thrilled to call my own.

I've worked with Donald for 15 years and he is absolutely brilliant. Immensely creative, and attuned to his projects, he is also a problem solver. He stands out with his vision, level of detail and hard work. While working on the House with Moving Walls, many a time a problem was turned into an opportunity. He has an uncanny ability to read what a client wants, and take the project to a higher level. Donald Lococo Architects is extraordinary. Highly highly recommend Donald and his team. Kelly Schuler

Donald is an artist! His mind works in ways that bends the imagination. He's intimate with his projects and always cares to make the outcome perfect for his clients. He's a guy that thinks outside the box, and in a world of many "box-thinking" individuals, it's a pleasure to find someone else who's imagining and creating things which aren't obvious or easily achieved. Working with Donald is unlike any other collaboration we've experienced, and we definitely look forward to future projects together.

Donald Lococo Architects was a pleasure to work with! They understand and anticipate the questions. This was a complete Home restoration, and renovation taken down to the studs. The front was completely changed from entry and elevator while the back kitchen-great room were moved out to the west and south. We now have a modern, up to date, home with an indoor and outdoor feel.

Explosive creativity, unrelenting attention to detail, and a teamwork atmosphere are all traits which come to mind from the perspective of a General Contractor building a Donald Lococo Architects project. After well over a decade of experience working with Donald Lococo and his staff, it becomes evident that this is one of the most focused and talented Architecture firms in the Washington region. Being associated with Donald Lococo Architects has enhanced our success as a General Contractor, allowing us to be a part of numerous award-winning projects.

Before I met Donald I had already seen his beautiful work in Architectural Digest among other publications. His sensibility and fantastic understanding of both architecture and interiors led me to call him at the first opportunity to invite him to work alongside me with a prospective client. How wonderful it is to collaborate with a truly talented and personable professional. My experience with him and his team couldn’t have been any better. They took his lead to make our joint efforts a true success. I look forward to future collaboration with DLA.

My husband and I hired Donald Lococo Architects to help us update the house we bought from a family who had lived in it for 45 years. We asked for help with the kitchen/family room, master bath, and a bad traffic flow situation between the kitchen and living room. Donald immediately understood our vision for the 1910 house. He spent a lot of time asking us persistent questions about how we spend our time at home, challenging us to be sure that what we thought we wanted was what we actually wanted. He identified several creative solutions and his design meets all of our expectations. We could not be happier. He and his team (hat tip to David Moore!) are a real pleasure to work with.