ODE is an urban architecture & design practice that specializes in creating inviting and valued places that further the enjoyment of life’s experiences.

Dedicated to design responsiveness, building character, and augmenting communities, ODE creates considered contributions to neighborhoods serving our clients. As design architects and planners, we meet the goals of our clientele while incorporating the varied requirements of user groups and other stakeholders, synthesizing the expertise of varied, specialized consultants. Each group augments the process as we understand constraints, recognize and encourage innovation, and interpret requirements to solve complex architectural challenges in urban settings.

Regardless of site, size, or program, we strive to imagine and realize buildings that support walkable places in order to augment human existence. We work with our clients and stakeholders to make cohesive, memorable, and beloved places for people.

ODE structures its practice to realize the highest standard of design and service. We carefully limit the number of commissions we accept, allowing our team to be fully engaged in every project.

Utilizing an iterative design process and cross-disciplinary study, our practice seeks to understand and interpret the craft, history, and traditions of the places in which we work. Through engagement with our clients and stakeholders, we pursue a deep understanding of place and devise designed responses that are durable, resilient, and timeless. For all projects, we bring a passion for the making of buildings that embrace both innovative and time-tested techniques.

With offices in Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland, we are inspired by the dynamic and unique urban environment of both locations. Cities are rarely one-size-fits-all, they range in styles & scales and have a richness that allows for serendipitous interactions and interplay of life anchored in the uniqueness of each place. We learn from the neighborhoods in which we live, work, and play, from our mundane daily experiences, our endeavors striving to create cherished places across the United States, as well as our travels to communities across the globe.