This month, we’re staying grounded and spotlighting one of the design world’s most powerful partnerships: architects and interior designers. While one draws the bones and the other layers on the soul, the best homes are born when their talents interweave from the very beginning. We spoke to a few of metro DC’s leading architectural minds— Northworks, Studio Z Design Concepts, and Travis Price Architects—about what happens when structure and style work in harmony. The consensus? When collaboration is baked in early, the results go beyond cohesive and become transcendent.

Big thanks to our participating firms for their thoughtful insights.

ARCHITECT AS MAESTRO

Architecture isn’t just about walls and windows—it’s about orchestrating an entire creative ensemble. As one firm put it, “It’s an opera… the best results happen when the architect conducts the full design orchestra—interior designer, landscape designer, and all.” When roles are respected, and rhythm is shared, the project becomes more than the sum of its parts—it becomes a performance where everyone plays in tune.

BLURRED LINES, BETTER DESIGN

When it comes to defining roles, the answer wasn’t rigid. “Good design isn’t linear—it’s a spiral that hones in on the center as it evolves.” Architects bring the structure, interior designers bring the nuance, and together, they create something beautifully layered. The key? Flexibility, communication, and a shared design vision allow both sides to enhance one another’s work.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE BUILT-IN

Delaying design decisions can mean last-minute revisions, rushed detailing, and construction chaos. But when interior designers join early, they pave the way for smart planning. As one architect shared, “The earlier we can plan for an interior designer’s ideas, the smoother the process and the better the end result.” From choosing fixtures to aligning cabinetry, timing is everything.

FROM FUNCTION TO FEELING

Interior designers don’t just style a space—they shape how it lives. From redlining electrical plans to knowing the latest appliance innovations, their input is crucial to livability. “Architects set the walls; interior designers create the experience,” one respondent said. Together, they transform a layout into a lifestyle.

DESIGN IS A TEAM SPORT

Gone are the days of siloed design. Today’s best projects embrace collaboration from the start. “When architects and interior designers work together, you get the benefit of blending different perspectives into one cohesive, thoughtfully designed home.” And with digital tools like BIM (Building Information Modeling), making real-time collaboration easier than ever, this partnership is only getting stronger.

WONDER LESS. WANDER MORE.

The places that stay with us? They’re not just photogenic—they’re thoughtfully built to remember. The Silo Hotel in Cape Town rises from a historic grain silo, its bold glass geometry framing ocean-meets-mountain views and housing one of Africa’s top contemporary art museums. Steirereck in Vienna pairs hyperlocal cuisine with a glass-and-metal dining pavilion that mirrors the surrounding park. Plateforme 10 in Lausanne transforms a former rail yard into a cultural trifecta of art, design, and photography. The Benesse Art Site on Japan’s Naoshima Island proves that minimalism, nature, and contemporary art can merge into something quietly transcendent.

Learn more and join Upon Return to access a travel guide where architecture and design aren’t an afterthought—they’re the reason to go.