--- title: "Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc. — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/bennett-frank-mccarthy-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1669402138 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1669402138.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc." category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8753c8760eb447ee_5072-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "1400 Spring Street, #320, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States" latitude: 38.9982 longitude: -77.0338 phone: "(301) 585-2222" website: http://www.bfmarch.com rating: 4.8 review_count: 39 best_of_houzz_awards: 17 followers: 980 last_updated: 2026-08-13 --- # Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc. Original Houzz profile: [Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/bennett-frank-mccarthy-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1669402138) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Silver Spring, MD - **Serves:** Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, Aspen Hill, Wheaton, North Bethesda, Potomac, College Park, Fairland, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Langley Park, Takoma Park, Cloverly, Glenmont, White Oak, Kemp Mill, Colesville, Chevy Chase, North Kensington, South Kensington, Rossmoor, Mount Rainier, Four Corners, Riverdale Park, Forest Glen, Arlington, DC (Washington), Falls Church, Mclean, Washington - **Houzz rating:** 4.8 out of 5 (39 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 17 awards (2013–2023), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves We pride ourselves on our commitment to our clients at Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects. We believe good design is possible regardless of the project size or budget and that well designed spaces are fundamental to doing more with less in a home renovation or new house project. Our design process accounts for context, materials, budget and our clients needs to seamlessly integrate old and new. Contact us to explore your project with you. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - 3D Rendering - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Space Planning - Universal Design - Drafting - Historic Building Conservation - Structural Engineering - Basement Remodeling - Site Preparation - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - Silver Spring - Gaithersburg - Rockville - Bethesda - Aspen Hill - Wheaton - North Bethesda - Potomac - College Park - Fairland - Greenbelt - Hyattsville - Langley Park - Takoma Park - Cloverly - Glenmont - White Oak - Kemp Mill - Colesville - Chevy Chase - North Kensington - South Kensington - Rossmoor - Mount Rainier - Four Corners - Riverdale Park - Forest Glen - Arlington - DC (Washington) - Falls Church - Mclean - Washington ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc. | | Address | 1400 Spring Street, \#320, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States | | Phone | (301) 585-2222 | | Website | http://www.bfmarch.com | | Followers on Houzz | 980 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bennett-Frank-McCarthy-Architects-Inc/152166644798435 ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/bennett-frank-mccarthy-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1669402138) - **Website:** http://www.bfmarch.com - **Phone:** (301) 585-2222 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - http://bfmarch.com/awards/ - **Best of Houzz:** 17 awards (2013–2023), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [National Association of Home Builders](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-association-of-home-builders-pfvwus-pf~562065019) - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [Maryland Building Industry Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/maryland-building-industry-association-pfvwus-pf~1761779251) - [AIA Potomac Valley](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-potomac-valley-pfvwus-pf~2047859558) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 — 39 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Sarah Olson, July 2020** > We selected Bennet Frank McCarthy to design and oversee the build of an extensive kitchen renovation and sunroom addition to our historic home. Brian McCarthy provided superior design recommendations that were responsive to our requests and aesthetic. He consulted with the historic preservation commission to anticipate their response to our historic work permit application and ensure a seamless approval. His keen attention to detail throughout design and build culminated in a renovation and addition that is extraordinarily beautiful and sympathetic to the period in which our home was built. We are so fortunate to have selected Brian McCarthy and cannot recommend his services more highly. **★★★★★ — Maya Bernstein, June 2019** > Shawn from BFM helped us make a plan for the renovation of our 1910s farmhouse. We are very happy with the end result! Shawn was excellent at understanding our needs for the new space, and executing them at a high level of quality and style. BFM helped us choose a contractor and we were very satisfied with the whole process. Hire them! You won't be disappointed. **★★★★★ — Dana P., Oct. 2018** > Working with Shawn at BFM Architects was such a wonderful experience. This was our first major house renovation and he worked with us to clearly define our goals based on our household needs and to incorporate all the architectural detail we wanted (and didn't know we wanted). He always showed up on time, ready to work and was very enthusiastic the whole project. **★★★★★ — Bethann Siegel, Sept. 2018** > BFM was a pleasure to work with on our home remodel. Their plans were considerate of our personal style and busy families needs. And they were especially helpful in seeing our project to completion, working in partner with our builders to find the best possible solutions. **★★★★★ — Caryn Anthony, Sept. 2018** > Larry Frank is a great listener to understand how we want to use our space, and offers creative and beautiful designs for the project. He is also a responsive and supportive resource as the project moves through construction to help answer questions and sort through potential bumps in the road. We used the firm first in 2005/2006 for a multi-room renovation including kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and living space, and still love the results. We came back again in 2018 for a redesign of our family room to include a screened porch. It's now my favorite spot in the house. **★★★★★ — A Shahar, April 2018** > We have been working with Shawn from BFM for almost two years on our historic house renovation project. In the early stages Shawn would listen to what we wanted in our house, make suggestions, and sketch out ideas. We always felt like he was listening to our needs and wishes. Once the project really started moving Shawn made beautiful drawings that were extremely thorough and kept the historic nature of our house. He was creative, and added little touches that really make our house unique and special. Shawn was also in charge of speaking to the historic commission and making sure that they approved his drawings. He did this with ease. For the past 8 months of construction we have kept Shawn as a consultant and could not be happier with his design suggestions as well as expertise regarding building. He can walk into the construction zone and instantly tell what needs to be fixed or redone. We could not be happier that we chose Shawn and BFM for our project! **★★★★★ — Lauren Kootman, Feb. 2018** > Over the last 15 months, we have worked with Shawn Buehler from BFM to re-design and re-construct our home into the perfect space for our family. Pre-renovation, our house already had a unique architectural design that we wanted to honor in the renovation. Shawn was mindful of this and carried these architectural features into his designs. Our home has a modern design, but we are also a young and busy family. Shawn managed to create a design that was both sleek and modern, but also incredibly thoughtful and accommodating to our chaotic lifestyle. Shawn guided us through every phase of the project, from the designs, to the permitting, to the contractor selection, through the construction phase, and continues to advise and advocate for us as we approach completion of the project. We are so happy with the final product, and highly recommend Shawn and BFM. **★★★★★ — Liz Hutton, Dec. 2017** > We had the pleasure of working with Shawn at BFM for a complete renovation of our three story row home in Washington, D.C. As new residents to the city we had no idea where to begin with our renovation project after purchasing our home so we decided that an architect was a good starting point. We researched and met with various architects, but once we met with Shawn we knew that he was the person we wanted to work with and we couldn't be happier with that decision. Shawn, having owned a row home in the city himself, was exponentially helpful in carefully and meticulously designing floor plans that maximized our space. Throughout the design process Shawn listened to our input and opinions, offering counterpoints based on his experience but also letting us have control in the design process. We appreciated that he took our input seriously instead of brushing off our thoughts or ideas - it truly felt like we were working as a team. When it came time to select a contractor for the project, Shawn made several recommendations for companies for us to meet with. He went over proposals with us so that we fully understood the bidding process. Once it came time for permitting, we ran into several issues with the city. Despite these hiccups, Shawn worked painstakingly with the city to resolve concerns and eventually get our permit to begin construction. He also continued to be instrumental throughout the construction phase helping us make decisions on change orders final finish items. Lastly, we appreciated Shawn's dedication and flexibility. My husband and I both work very demanding jobs that required frequent travel, Shawn was always willing to accommodate our schedule taking calls at a time that worked for us. After two years of planning and construction we do not regret one structural or spacial decision we made and could not have planned a better home for our family. I highly recommend BFM and in particular Shawn for your next project. **★★★★★ — Karyen Chu, Dec. 2017** > Brian McCarthy of Bennett Frank McCarthy designed a beautiful second story screened porch and open deck combination over a storage/work room. We built using his design in the summer of 2017. Brian’s design incorporated a Tudor arch to match the Tudor arch that we have in the front doorway of our house. He added lovely trim details and incorporated into the design specific elements that we had chosen, such as the railings. He worked with us to make changes when the initial bids came in higher than what we wanted to pay. He recommended specific materials and conducted research to find other materials to solve potential issues such as how to attach a screen to an arch opening or how best to keep the storage/workroom dry. The contractors who bid on the project did not know about many of these products so Brian’s research provided real value. The contractors who bid also spoke highly of the thoroughness and detail of Brian’s drawings and specifications. Brian was responsive and easy to work with. We are very happy with the design and the finished screened porch/deck/storage/workroom and we have received many compliments on the design. We would work with Brian again on future projects without reservation and recommend him highly. **★★★★★ — Stacey Fahrner, Dec. 2017** > We bought a house that was badly in need of remodeling. We had a vision of what we wanted at the start, but Shawn and his team at BFM came up with a design that surpassed all expectations. The house is beautiful and solidly built thanks in part to Shawn's attentiveness and advice throughout the construction process. We would work with him again in a second. **★★★★★ — Amy Kirshner, Sept. 2017** > BFM (Shawn Buehler) came recommended to us by friends, and we are so grateful to them for the introduction! In fact, we have recommended Shawn to several neighbors and friends since because we were so pleased with how our renovation turned out. We worked with Shawn on our large home renovation (three story add-on). One of the things that we were unsure about in the beginning was how large a renovation we could actually afford - Shawn worked with us to put together initial plans that could be sent to several builders for rough estimates. He walked us through the process to determine the size renovation we wanted and could afford, and often gave several options that we could add on or remove later in the process depending on how the construction went. Shawn is very realistic in his plans - he kept cost in mind when giving options - and he took into account that we have a young family when designing solutions that would use small space more effectively. Unlike other firms we spoke with, he did not apply a standard look to our somewhat common 1940s home, but gave it character that 'matched' the existing space. He is creative - when faced with a question about what to do about an outdoor 'deck' space, he suggested a solution with our existing garage - it was cost-effective, simple, and smart, and always gets compliments from guests. We also chose to hire Shawn during our actual construction for oversight. Shawn would walk through the site with us and our builder -- his trained eye would see things that we never would have seen, and we were able to make course corrections throughout the project rather than waiting to the end. In all, BFM was easy to work with and we would strongly recommend them. **★★★★★ — Thomas Ross, April 2017** > We worked with Brian for about 6 months to work through remodeling plans for our house. Brian was easy to work with and helped us work through our different design ideas. We were very satisfied with the final design and appreciated Brian's work very much. We moved forward with the first stage of the plan and Brian and team provided the detailed blueprints and construction specs. The work came our very well and we look forward to continuing to work with Brian and his team on the next phase of our plans. ## Selected projects - [Carriage House Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carriage-house-renovation-pj-vj~69933) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 15 - Description: The owners of this DC carriage house envisioned a social kitchen and dining area suitable for large meals and gatherings in a setting that celebrates the utilitarian character of their Blagden Alley neighborhood. A wall of built-in cabinets organizes the second floor studio living space while providing much-needed storage. - [Light Filled](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/light-filled-pj-vj~4592061) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: A two story addition to this home accommodates a great room at the ground floor and a new master suite and sleeping porch above. The bedroom and porch are tucked into the eaves to work with the existing roofline of the home. A steel fireplace flanked by wood bins punctuates the light-filled great room, which also serves as an access point to the rear yard and the newly renovated basement. The adjacent kitchen was also reconfigured and renovated as part of the project scope. - [Farmhouse Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farmhouse-modern-pj-vj~6068972) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: An interior renovation restored this two-family Takoma Park farmhouse back to a single residence. The stair was relocated to create a more centralized circulation path through the home, and a labyrinth of interior spaces was opened up to create a single, large living space. The whimsical interior was inspired by the artistic sensibilities of the owners. © Julia Heine Photography - [Bungalow Revival](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bungalow-revival-pj-vj~6069098) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: Working within the constraints of the Takoma Park Historic District, we expanded this modest bungalow significantly while restoring the traditional bungalow charm to the street facade. We blended the best of bungalow living - historic character, high ceilings and lots of natural light - with graciously proportioned spaces in an open floor plan that features a large family room and cathedral ceiling at the rear of the home. © Julia Heine Photography - [Mid Century Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-renovation-pj-vj~1995364) - Location: Takoma Park, MD - Photos: 12 - [Cottage Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cottage-makeover-pj-vj~69883) - Location: Takoma Park, MD - Photos: 7 - [Condo Reborn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/condo-reborn-pj-vj~675235) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 7 - Description: Adding square footage wasn’t an option in this compact condo unit so new space was created by reorganizing the bath / hall / closet core to be more efficient and a guest sleeping loft was added over the new bathroom. The modern kitchen is a counterpoint in the Victorian row house building. - [Shingle Style](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shingle-style-pj-vj~55699) - Location: Bethesda, MD - Photos: 9 - Description: The project is a new 8,000 square foot residence on a one-acre lot in an established neighborhood just outside Washington, D.C. The L-shaped plan is a response to the project’s siting on a corner lot, creating two prominent public facades while enclosing an intimate rear garden. The formal southern facade fronts the more heavily-traveled of the two streets while also speaking to the formal living, dining and library spaces beyond. The western facade includes a corner porch which serves as the da… - [Oceanfront Condo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oceanfront-condo-pj-vj~836562) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: Sit back and enjoy the fantastic sunset views across the beach, the ocean and verdant hillside. Combined with the sounds of the gentle surf your tensions are a memory. Tropics and relaxation were the theme for the renovation of this oceanfront condominium in the Caribbean. - [Cabin Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cabin-retreat-pj-vj~70694) - Location: Rangeley, ME - Photos: 12 - [Midcentury Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/midcentury-makeover-pj-vj~838502) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Modern Barn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-barn-pj-vj~1234920) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: Conceived as a modern barn, this home combines traditional forms with modern finishes to create a rural-inspired exterior. Kitchen and living spaces occupy a large central volume while flanking side wings accommodate bedrooms, bathrooms, garage and large play space. A combination of rustic and modern interior finishes complement the exterior theme. - [Kitchen Lightbox](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-lightbox-pj-vj~72277) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Modern Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-makeover-pj-vj~55661) - Location: Takoma Park, MD - Photos: 5 - Description: The project dramatically transformed an ordinary brick colonial both inside and out. The client, an avid gardener, wanted modern, open spaces that flowed into the mature landscaping of the deep rear yard. A cladding of colorful stucco, couple with a modern entry canopy, revitalized the austere exterior. The modern canopy design hints of the lighter, more transparent garden facade beyond. The rear corner of the house was deconstructed to expand the kitchen and open to a new family room. Large exp… - [Expanded Tudor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/expanded-tudor-pj-vj~309986) - Location: Somerset, MD, DC - Photos: 11 - Description: A large addition to this home located within the Somerset Historic District accommodates a new eat-in kitchen and family room on the main floor, a master suite on the second floor and a two-car garage at the basement. The existing Tudor character was retained, creating a seamless addition to the historic home. - [Modern Revisited](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-revisited-pj-vj~55828) - Location: Bethesda, MD - Photos: 10 - Description: The homeowners were attracted to this house because of its modern bones, exposed stained wood ceilings on the main floor, and the deep lot with large, mature trees. In addition to improving upon the floor plan, which consisted mostly of small, compartmentalized rooms, the homeowners were eager to brighten up the interior, darkened by the wood ceilings and a general lack of natural light. The new design celebrates the wood ceilings and the existing brick fireplace by removing all the partitions b… - [Arts & Crafts Bungalow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arts-and-crafts-bungalow-pj-vj~55723) - Location: Brookmont, MD - Photos: 7 - Description: • A new residence that was sympathetic in design and mass to the surrounding, established community of eclectic, modestly scaled houses while providing comfortable spaces for the owner. • The design presents a classic 1-1/2 story bungalow massing at the street; the low eave line sheltering an inviting front porch (the community is a pedestrian paradise). • The principal living spaces and master bedroom are oriented to the view of the river and canal at the west. The narrow lot (50’ width) requir… - [Accessible Prairie Style](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/accessible-prairie-style-pj-vj~69899) - Location: Bethesda, MD - Photos: 10 - Description: The existing one-story home with a finished walk-out basement is situated in an affluent, established neighborhood, where tear-down projects are prevalent. The site slopes considerably from side to side and has several mature trees. The owners wished to improve the flow of the first floor and add a full second floor to accommodate a new master suite and an in-law apartment. The owners are active advocates within the disablility community and hoped to make the entire house accessible; both to ena… - [Bungalow Expanded](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bungalow-expanded-pj-vj~55733) - Location: Takoma Park, MD - Photos: 6 - Description: The owners of this 1920s bungalow wanted to retain the charm and character of their house while increasing their living space by more than 50%. The existing three-bedroom house with a small, dark interior sat on a large corner lot in an established neighborhood of modest craftsman bungalows. The resulting design features a great room addition combining the living room, dining room and kitchen into a single, light-filled volume which takes advantage of the prominent southern and western exposures… - [Cottage For An Artist](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cottage-for-an-artist-pj-vj~55659) - Location: Takoma Park, MD - Photos: 3 - Description: This suburban cottage, built to replace a small, termite-damaged house, is a prototype for compact, gracious living. The lot was purchased by a neighbor, an artist, to preserve her studio view of the site with its flowering shrubs and fruit trees. As the primary focus of her compositions, she was interested in the scale and proportion of the existing one-story 600 square foot house, and sought to replace it with a building of similar size and character. Thus constrained, the resulting new cottag… [See all 46 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/bennett-frank-mccarthy-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1669402138) ## Ideabooks - [BFM Pickled Bleached French Country Cabinetry](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/84859332/list/bfm-pickled-bleached-french-country-cabinetry) — 10 ideas - [BFM Porches](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3791641/list/bfm-porches) — 31 ideas - [BFM Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3791617/list/bfm-kitchens) — 37 ideas - [BFM Baths](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3791593/list/bfm-baths) — 7 ideas - [BFM Details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3794543/list/bfm-details) — 20 ideas [See all 5 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/bennett-frank_mccarthy) ## Community Q&A **Q: Exterrior colors** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me the exterior colors that were used for this hpuse please? A: Hi HU-671986441, We had a similar question from lotsa of folks including lindechar, 123caustin, Emily Locke, Naomi Bowen, Chika Nwangwu, Kathleen Sullivan, marthabollier and staceylight. We sampled what seemed like dozens of colors for this house. We're not exactly sure what we ended with, having said that - the column plinth color is similar to the siding color, albeit a little paler. A few years ago we did a little checking and the siding color in the image is similar to the following Sherwin Williams colors: Wild Sage, Sea Moss or Landscape. If you would like to know more about this project, please contact us directly and we will connect you with the architect who designed and coordinated the work. **Q: What is the exterior paint color of this house?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the exterior paint color of this house? A: Hi Carolyn, We had a similar question from lotsa of folks including lindechar, 123caustin, Emily Locke, Naomi Bowen, Chika Nwangwu, Kathleen Sullivan, marthabollier and staceylight: We sampled what seemed like dozens of colors for this house. We're not exactly sure what we ended with, having said that - the column plinth color is similar to the siding color, albeit a little paler. A few years ago we did a little checking and the siding color in the image is similar to the following Sherwin Williams colors: Wild Sage, Sea Moss or Landscape. If you would like to know more about this project, please contact us directly and we will connect you with the architect who designed and coordinated the work. **Q: What is the chandelier brand?** *(in Photo Questions)* Stunning. A: Hi Jennifer B, This lighting fixtures were selected by the owners of the project and the work was completed several years ago. Unfortunately we do not have any information on its source. We and our clients often work with a lighting consultant locally to select and source fixtures, If you have other questions about the project, please feel free to call us directly and we'll connect you with the architect in charge of this project. **Q: The painted steel deck is bold but does not look overly industrial** *(in Photo Questions)* What color is the steel deck supports painted--namely the girder and hand-rail. It does not look exactly black but maybe a very dark grey or graphite? A: Hi, We completed this project several years ago and we're not exactly sure what color we ended with, having said that - the structural elements are similar to the Sherwin Williams color: Status Bronze. if you would like to talk about this project feel free to call us directly and we will connect you with the architect responsible for the project. **Q: Kitchen Cabinets?** *(in Photo Questions)* This kitchen is gorgeous! Are these custom cabinets? Can you tell me who built them? Thanks! A: Hi Eliz, Thanks for your question. The island is a found item that we repurposed. The balance of the cabinets were from designed and provided by Cary McLean of Designs4Living. Here's a link to her houzz page: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/designs-for-living-inc-pfvwus-pf~1669397214? We have been working with Cary and her cabinetmaker for years. Cary brings a great design touch to all of our projects, If you want to know more about the project - reach out to us directly and we will connect you to the architect responsible for the project. **Q: what is this carpet and where is it from please?** *(in Photo Questions)* Very unique and different A: Hi Robert, This carpet was selected by the owners and it was completed several years ago. Unfortunately we do not have any information on its source. If you have other questions about the project, please feel free to call us directly and we'll connect you with the architect in charge of this project. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-13.*