Members' Blogs

Our co-founders, Anthony “Ankie” Barnes and Stephen Vanze, established Barnes Vanze Architects in 1989. In 2018, the leadership expanded to include four new principals: Wayne Adams; Melanie Giordano; Ellen Hatton and Michael Patrick.

Our architects and designers have a laser-like focus on clients’ needs—from the first sketches to the final walk-through—whether it’s a home, retail or office environment, university building, or church.

We’ve brought old city dwellings back to their original splendor; used classical architecture to imbue new homes with rich historical references; and transformed builder-grade “Colonials” into the real thing. Each time, the style and layout responds directly to a client’s aesthetic needs and daily routines.

We take the same careful approach to commercial and institutional work, which includes complete rehabilitation and additions to historic commercial properties; new university buildings that respond to their historic surroundings; and modern facilities for an expanding secondary school. “They are beautiful buildings, constructed with the quality of a home,” Barnes says.

For that reason, our work has earned dozens of awards, including the John Russell Pope award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art; Traditional Building’s Palladio awards and the DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Awards for Excellence. We’ve been featured in more than 100 magazine articles, online publications and books, and are consistently published on lists of the best architects and designers in the Washington region.

Steve Vanze and Ankie Barnes have both earned the prestigious “Fellow” ranking within the American Institute of Architects; they and BVA’s principals are grooming the next generation of great architectural talents with each new commission.
 

Our co-founders, Anthony “Ankie” Barnes and Stephen Vanze, established Barnes Vanze Architects in 1989. In 2018, the leadership expanded to include four new principals: Wayne Adams; Melanie Giordano; Ellen Hatton and Michael Patrick.

Our architects and designers have a laser-like focus on clients’ needs—from the first sketches to the final walk-through—whether it’s a home, retail or office environment, university building, or church.

We’ve brought old city dwellings back to their original splendor; used classical architecture to imbue new homes with rich historical references; and transformed builder-grade “Colonials” into the real thing. Each time, the style and layout responds directly to a client’s aesthetic needs and daily routines.

We take the same careful approach to commercial and institutional work, which includes complete rehabilitation and additions to historic commercial properties; new university buildings that respond to their historic surroundings; and modern facilities for an expanding secondary school. “They are beautiful buildings, constructed with the quality of a home,” Barnes says.

For that reason, our work has earned dozens of awards, including the John Russell Pope award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art; Traditional Building’s Palladio awards and the DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Awards for Excellence. We’ve been featured in more than 100 magazine articles, online publications and books, and are consistently published on lists of the best architects and designers in the Washington region.

Steve Vanze and Ankie Barnes have both earned the prestigious “Fellow” ranking within the American Institute of Architects; they and BVA’s principals are grooming the next generation of great architectural talents with each new commission.
 

Before launching Tim Barber Ltd in 1994, Tim worked in urbam reclamation, histroc preservation and adaptive re-use. Two decades later, with hundreds of completed projects the firm is widely publish and celebrated as definitive interpreter of Souther California architectural varnacular in projects ranging from mixed-used fevelopments and multi-family housing to large estates and custom family homes. In 2012, the firmed earned LEED Gold rating for new traditional home in Sherman Oaks

Before launching Tim Barber Ltd in 1994, Tim worked in urbam reclamation, histroc preservation and adaptive re-use. Two decades later, with hundreds of completed projects the firm is widely publish and celebrated as definitive interpreter of Souther California architectural varnacular in projects ranging from mixed-used fevelopments and multi-family housing to large estates and custom family homes. In 2012, the firmed earned LEED Gold rating for new traditional home in Sherman Oaks

Our co-founders, Anthony “Ankie” Barnes and Stephen Vanze, established Barnes Vanze Architects in 1989. In 2018, the leadership expanded to include four new principals: Wayne Adams; Melanie Giordano; Ellen Hatton and Michael Patrick.

Our architects and designers have a laser-like focus on clients’ needs—from the first sketches to the final walk-through—whether it’s a home, retail or office environment, university building, or church.

We’ve brought old city dwellings back to their original splendor; used classical architecture to imbue new homes with rich historical references; and transformed builder-grade “Colonials” into the real thing. Each time, the style and layout responds directly to a client’s aesthetic needs and daily routines.

We take the same careful approach to commercial and institutional work, which includes complete rehabilitation and additions to historic commercial properties; new university buildings that respond to their historic surroundings; and modern facilities for an expanding secondary school. “They are beautiful buildings, constructed with the quality of a home,” Barnes says.

For that reason, our work has earned dozens of awards, including the John Russell Pope award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art; Traditional Building’s Palladio awards and the DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Awards for Excellence. We’ve been featured in more than 100 magazine articles, online publications and books, and are consistently published on lists of the best architects and designers in the Washington region.

Steve Vanze and Ankie Barnes have both earned the prestigious “Fellow” ranking within the American Institute of Architects; they and BVA’s principals are grooming the next generation of great architectural talents with each new commission.
 

Michael Del Piero founded Michael Del Piero Good Design in 2007 based on three simple principals: Strive for balance. Create interiors as current as they are enduring, as sophisticated as they are approachable, and as unusual as they are beautiful. And take care of clients as if they are royalty, serving their needs and lifestyles above all else.

A curious soul, a world traveler, and one of the earliest vendors on 1st Dibs, Del Piero is known for her accomplished eye and uncommon knack for a serene and simple mix that bridges generations of style. Her distinct aesthetic fuses rough with luxurious and ancient with modern. 

Her fresh approach to "the mix" has garnered accolades from a worldwide and most discerning clientele.  Recognized by industry leaders, Michael has been touted by Metropolitan Home as a tastemaker, The New York Times as a style maven and in 2009 was honored with the distinguished "Ones to Watch" award presented by the Chicago Design Community.

Before launching Tim Barber Ltd in 1994, Tim worked in urbam reclamation, histroc preservation and adaptive re-use. Two decades later, with hundreds of completed projects the firm is widely publish and celebrated as definitive interpreter of Souther California architectural varnacular in projects ranging from mixed-used fevelopments and multi-family housing to large estates and custom family homes. In 2012, the firmed earned LEED Gold rating for new traditional home in Sherman Oaks

Our co-founders, Anthony “Ankie” Barnes and Stephen Vanze, established Barnes Vanze Architects in 1989. In 2018, the leadership expanded to include four new principals: Wayne Adams; Melanie Giordano; Ellen Hatton and Michael Patrick.

Our architects and designers have a laser-like focus on clients’ needs—from the first sketches to the final walk-through—whether it’s a home, retail or office environment, university building, or church.

We’ve brought old city dwellings back to their original splendor; used classical architecture to imbue new homes with rich historical references; and transformed builder-grade “Colonials” into the real thing. Each time, the style and layout responds directly to a client’s aesthetic needs and daily routines.

We take the same careful approach to commercial and institutional work, which includes complete rehabilitation and additions to historic commercial properties; new university buildings that respond to their historic surroundings; and modern facilities for an expanding secondary school. “They are beautiful buildings, constructed with the quality of a home,” Barnes says.

For that reason, our work has earned dozens of awards, including the John Russell Pope award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art; Traditional Building’s Palladio awards and the DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Awards for Excellence. We’ve been featured in more than 100 magazine articles, online publications and books, and are consistently published on lists of the best architects and designers in the Washington region.

Steve Vanze and Ankie Barnes have both earned the prestigious “Fellow” ranking within the American Institute of Architects; they and BVA’s principals are grooming the next generation of great architectural talents with each new commission.
 

Before launching Tim Barber Ltd in 1994, Tim worked in urbam reclamation, histroc preservation and adaptive re-use. Two decades later, with hundreds of completed projects the firm is widely publish and celebrated as definitive interpreter of Souther California architectural varnacular in projects ranging from mixed-used fevelopments and multi-family housing to large estates and custom family homes. In 2012, the firmed earned LEED Gold rating for new traditional home in Sherman Oaks

Michael Del Piero founded Michael Del Piero Good Design in 2007 based on three simple principals: Strive for balance. Create interiors as current as they are enduring, as sophisticated as they are approachable, and as unusual as they are beautiful. And take care of clients as if they are royalty, serving their needs and lifestyles above all else.

A curious soul, a world traveler, and one of the earliest vendors on 1st Dibs, Del Piero is known for her accomplished eye and uncommon knack for a serene and simple mix that bridges generations of style. Her distinct aesthetic fuses rough with luxurious and ancient with modern. 

Her fresh approach to "the mix" has garnered accolades from a worldwide and most discerning clientele.  Recognized by industry leaders, Michael has been touted by Metropolitan Home as a tastemaker, The New York Times as a style maven and in 2009 was honored with the distinguished "Ones to Watch" award presented by the Chicago Design Community.

Before launching Tim Barber Ltd in 1994, Tim worked in urbam reclamation, histroc preservation and adaptive re-use. Two decades later, with hundreds of completed projects the firm is widely publish and celebrated as definitive interpreter of Souther California architectural varnacular in projects ranging from mixed-used fevelopments and multi-family housing to large estates and custom family homes. In 2012, the firmed earned LEED Gold rating for new traditional home in Sherman Oaks

Our co-founders, Anthony “Ankie” Barnes and Stephen Vanze, established Barnes Vanze Architects in 1989. In 2018, the leadership expanded to include four new principals: Wayne Adams; Melanie Giordano; Ellen Hatton and Michael Patrick.

Our architects and designers have a laser-like focus on clients’ needs—from the first sketches to the final walk-through—whether it’s a home, retail or office environment, university building, or church.

We’ve brought old city dwellings back to their original splendor; used classical architecture to imbue new homes with rich historical references; and transformed builder-grade “Colonials” into the real thing. Each time, the style and layout responds directly to a client’s aesthetic needs and daily routines.

We take the same careful approach to commercial and institutional work, which includes complete rehabilitation and additions to historic commercial properties; new university buildings that respond to their historic surroundings; and modern facilities for an expanding secondary school. “They are beautiful buildings, constructed with the quality of a home,” Barnes says.

For that reason, our work has earned dozens of awards, including the John Russell Pope award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art; Traditional Building’s Palladio awards and the DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Awards for Excellence. We’ve been featured in more than 100 magazine articles, online publications and books, and are consistently published on lists of the best architects and designers in the Washington region.

Steve Vanze and Ankie Barnes have both earned the prestigious “Fellow” ranking within the American Institute of Architects; they and BVA’s principals are grooming the next generation of great architectural talents with each new commission.