--- title: "Franke Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/franke-architects-pfvwus-pf~185272986 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~185272986.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Franke Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/f763856c046a3f6f_2185-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States" latitude: 39.0003 longitude: -77.1022 phone: "(301) 655-4406" website: http://www.frankearchitects.com rating: 5 review_count: 9 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 63 last_updated: 2026-09-10 --- # Franke Architects Original Houzz profile: [Franke Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/franke-architects-pfvwus-pf~185272986) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Bethesda, MD - **Serves:** Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, North Bethesda, Potomac, North Potomac, Takoma Park, Travilah, Chevy Chase, North Kensington, South Kensington, North Chevy Chase, Vienna, Arlington, DC (Washington), Fairfax, Falls Church, Ocean City MD, Old Greenwich CT, Tysons Corner, Washington, West Mclean - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2022–2025), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves I love Architecture, and the rewards I receive on a daily basis from working for a Home Owner in creating their families life long dream home or structure is immense. As Principal Architect and Owner, I created and manage my firm to contest in the highly competitive Residential Design Arena throughout the Maryland, DC and Virginia Metropolitan Area. Franke Architects effectively presents the highest and most all-encompassing experience obtainable in Residential Architecture by maintaining a successful track record in designing exemplary and budget conscious residential designs. Franke Architects has effectively managed over 100 projects with a cumulative construction value of over $30,000,000. Projects varied in size and scope from residential additions, whole house remodels, new house designs and with historic homes over 100 years of age. ### Areas Served - Silver Spring - Gaithersburg - Bethesda - North Bethesda - Potomac - North Potomac - Takoma Park - Travilah - Chevy Chase - North Kensington - South Kensington - North Chevy Chase - Vienna - Arlington - DC (Washington) - Fairfax - Falls Church - Ocean City MD - Old Greenwich CT - Tysons Corner - Washington - West Mclean ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Franke Architects | | Address | Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States | | Phone | (301) 655-4406 | | Website | http://www.frankearchitects.com | | License Number | NCARB Certified Architect | | Followers on Houzz | 63 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/van.franke.1 - Blog — www.frankearchitects.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Franke Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/franke-architects-pfvwus-pf~185272986) - **Website:** http://www.frankearchitects.com - **Phone:** (301) 655-4406 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2022–2025), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 9 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — HU-189540568, Sept. 2024** > Van recently designed a whole-home renovation for us, and we highly recommend using him as an architect. He has great design ideas and does a nice job of listening to you while also raising possibilities that you should consider. We really liked Van's approach to the design process because we were able to make as many revisions and changes as we needed without having to pay for each new design. He's also really thoughtful about his designs, and it feels like we now have more privacy despite being closer to our neighbors. We love both the look and functionality of our new house and could not ask for more in an architect. **★★★★★ — jay howard, Sept. 2024** > Earlier this year, my family happily moved back into our newly renovated home designed by Van. Our home now fits our growing family and is exactly what we needed and wanted. > > We knew very little about the process when contacting Van but he patiently worked with us every step of the way from the initial visit to permit approval and completion. He listened to our goals and ideas and incorporated them into the final design while also giving us options. > > Our favorite room so far is our new screened-in porch, steps from our new kitchen. Many of our neighbors and friends visit and immediately ask who did our home design. I highly recommend working with Van Franke Architects. **★★★★★ — William Hart, Sept. 2024** > Our experience with Van Franke during our whole-house renovation was exceptional, and we highly recommend him for any home remodeling project. He possesses a remarkable combination of style and meticulous attention to detail, which builds on his outstanding client care. Unlike some of the larger architectural firms, Van distinguishes himself with his accessibility and dedication to understanding our vision. He presented numerous creative solutions to help us achieve our desired outcome - and he was willing to work at our pace. We would highly recommend working with Van Franke! **★★★★★ — Jackie Noonan, Jan. 2022** > Highly recommend! Van has such an infectious enthusiasm for architecture that I knew he would be the right person to help us build our dream home. He gave us numerous options and helped us focus in and get the ideas in my head down on paper. I felt like Van was in our corner throughout the whole process making sure our dream became a reality. **★★★★★ — Laura W, Dec. 2021** > It was a pleasure to work with Van of Franke Architects. Every idea I shared with him, and there were a lot, he listened and captured it perfectly. He understood my vision completely, he put on paper what I wanted my house, and every room in it to look like. He helped me create my dream beach house and it is now coming to life. Brilliant! **★★★★★ — HU-232207787, Dec. 2021** > Van did a wonderful job with our project by really understanding what we wanted. He provided numerous options to make the design work within our footprint, and helped guide us through the entire process. We highly recommend Franke Architects! **★★★★★ — Kelly Fraser, Dec. 2021** > Van helped us with a whole-house renovation three years ago. Three years later, we are still talking about how functional our house is for our family. Every space is used and used well. Van put a lot of thought into what would work and look good, and it shows. He was also careful not to "over design" for our neighborhood. Our renovation was a huge improvement and we love it, but it also fits the style of our community. It is perfect for us in every way. Van is a wonderful architect. He brings enthusiasm and great ideas to the job. **★★★★★ — HU-677138408, Dec. 2021** > Excellent architect. I never met someone who understood my aesthetic the way Van did! He made a very challenging building project proceed with style. My mantra was "When in doubt, call Van!" Also a shout out to our builder, Dave Bradley, who collaborated with Franke Architects and made it happen. **★★★★★ — Bryan Whittington, April 2021** > Van is a very talented architect. He has a superb sense of flow and style for a new home or a renovation. I have worked on dozens if not hundreds of projects with him through the years and every one of them has been successful. I highly recommend him. ## Selected projects - [Custom Home - Under Construction - 2027 completion date](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-under-construction-2027-completion-date-pj-vj~7817214) - Location: Acworth, GA - Photos: 1 - [Whole House Remodel - Under Construction. Completion Date 4/26](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/whole-house-remodel-under-construction-completion-date-4-26-pj-vj~7817207) - Location: Bethesda, Maryland - Photos: 1 - Description: An extensive whole house remodel with a new second floor. - [Custom Home Rendering - Rockville MD - In Design Development - Coming 2027](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-rendering-rockville-md-in-design-development-coming-2027-pj-vj~7817242) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Extensive Whole House remodel - going for permit. Projected 2026 Completion date](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/extensive-whole-house-remodel-going-for-permit-projected-2026-completion-date-pj-vj~7817208) - Location: Bethesda, Maryland - Photos: 1 - [Custom Home - Design Development Phase](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-design-development-phase-pj-vj~7580068) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 24 - Description: Custom home for a wonderul family in PG Maryalnd - [Custom Beach House - Inlet Isle - Ocean City, Maryland \#9](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-beach-house-inlet-isle-ocean-city-maryland-9-pj-vj~6672935) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 36 - [Custom Beach House - Inlet Isle - Ocean City, Maryland \#7](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-beach-house-inlet-isle-ocean-city-maryland-7-pj-vj~6195330) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 48 - [Custom Beach House - Inlet Isle, OC MD \#8](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-beach-house-inlet-isle-oc-md-8-pj-vj~7001692) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Custom Beach House Ocean City, MD](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-beach-house-ocean-city-md-pj-vj~7271465) - Location: Ocean City, Maryland - Photos: 29 - Description: Franke Architects extends a thank you and credit to Justin Ball at Bradley Construction for all 3D modeling and renderings. - [Lafferty's Old Greenwich, CT](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lafferty-s-old-greenwich-ct-pj-vj~1878745) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 58 - [Custom Home - Potomac, MD 2020](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-potomac-md-2020-pj-vj~5625202) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 27 - [“White” Modern Arts and Crafts](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/white-modern-arts-and-crafts-pj-vj~6190561) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 19 - [Rivera](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rivera-pj-vj~5848678) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 41 - [Tudor Of Chevy Chase](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tudor-of-chevy-chase-pj-vj~789700) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: Historic Tudor in Chevy Chase MD - [Kensington Conversion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kensington-conversion-pj-vj~7721899) - Location: Kensington, Maryland - Photos: 32 - Description: Franke Architects was blessed with wonderful young family that wanted to transform and convert their old Cape Cod into a modern farmhouse in the Strathmore section of Kensington, Maryland - [Dutch Colonial on the Chesapeake Bay](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dutch-colonial-on-the-chesapeake-bay-pj-vj~789980) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 51 - [Bungalow Of Martin's Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bungalow-of-martin-s-addition-pj-vj~789726) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 20 - [Bethesda, Whole House Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bethesda-whole-house-renovation-pj-vj~5786975) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 46 - [Custom Whole House Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-whole-house-remodel-pj-vj~7318446) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 40 - [Arts and crafts](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arts-and-crafts-pj-vj~1337916) - Location: Bethesda, MD - Photos: 3 [See all 29 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/franke-architects-pfvwus-pf~185272986) ## Ideabooks - [Tudor](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34225472/list/tudor) — 10 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/frankearchitects) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-10.*