“Who are you?” asked a Machias Elementary School first grader as she ran out of her classroom on the way to recess and spotted out-of-place adults.

In a district plagued by years of bond failures and overcrowding, a high school initiates a fresh start with collegiate learning tracks and a complementary campus.

Built like its neighbors, over a century ago and part of a continuous network of buildings in a historical district, this 3,250-square-foot former commercial building has been completely renovated into a three-story town house that retained its traditional limestone facade—a requirement due to the historical status of the building.

In recent years, the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) has embarked on a program of building architecturally noteworthy facilities in a variety of Washington neighborhoods.

Maureen Moran, whose studio, MCLA, counts among the four largest lighting consultancies in the nation’s capital, can design an office for a Washington attorney in her sleep.

Architects assigned to create an addition to an existing structure often face a delicate task.

A storefront from the early 1900s, which had served as a drugstore and soda fountain, is converted into a live/work space for a couple in the real-estate business.

A two-level, 42,000-square-foot headquarters for the fine-art exhibitions of the Whatcom Museum, which focuses on the history and art of the Northwest. 

Overlooking the craggy Washington coastline, this waterfront residence enjoys cinema-worthy scenery — but is subject to significant winds and extreme weather.