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CACAO

CACAO

Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars18 Reviews
Design-Build Firms
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About Us

Eco-friendly
High-end
Award winning
Architects + Builders | Washington, DC
CACAO Studio is a design-first practice delivering architecture and design-build services for custom homes, additions, renovations, and select commercial projects. We work closely with our clients to shape spaces that feel grounded, well crafted, and deeply connected to the way people live. Our work begins with light. We study its rhythm and presence, using it to guide decisions around space, material, and atmosphere. Each project is shaped with clarity, purpose, and care. We bring decades of experience, uniting design and construction through a shared pursuit of light and craft. Based in Washington, DC, we primarily serve the DMV region.

Category

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28 Projects

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Business Details

Business Name

CACAO

Phone Number

(202) 902-6724

Website

www.cacao-studio.com

Address

1763 Columbia Rd NW
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20009

Typical Job Cost

$180,000 - 8 million

Construction costs vary by project size, location, and other circumstances. The low-end refers to small interior remodeling. The high-end is for new custom homes.

License Number

ARC102171

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Services Provided

Home Remodeling

Custom Homes

New Home Construction

Kitchen Remodeling

Home Additions

Kitchen Design

Home Extensions

Architectural Design

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Building Design

Guesthouse Design & Construction

Basement Remodeling

Deck Building

Outdoor Kitchen Construction

Multigenerational Homes

Pool House Design & Construction

Design Consultation

Garage Building

Energy-Efficient Homes

Basement Design

Universal Design

Outdoor Kitchen Design

Green Building

Sustainable Design

Porch Design & Construction

Sunroom Design & Construction

Space Planning

Lighting Design

Home Gym Design & Construction

Mudroom Design

Handicap-Accessible Design

Site Planning

Garage Design

Home Theater Design

Tiny House Construction

Barn Design & Construction

Swimming Pool Construction

Workshop Design & Construction

Modular Home Additions

Rooftop Deck Installation

Outdoor Lighting Design

Sports Equipment Storage

Passive Solar Heating & Cooling

Mural Art + Design

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Areas Served

Washington

Alexandria

Arlington

Beltsville

Bethesda

Cabin John, MD

Calverton

College Park

DC (Washington)

East Riverdale

Georgetown

Glenmont

Great Falls, VA

Hyattsville

Idylwood

Kalorama

Kemp Mill

Landover

McLean, VA

North Bethesda

North Chevy Chase

Palisades, DC

Potomac

Silver Spring

Spring Valley, DC

Takoma Park

Tenleytown, DC

Tysons Corner

University Park

Vienna

West Mclean

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Credentials

2 Houzz Awards
Best of Houzz 2026 - Service
Best of Houzz 2025 - Service
3 Houzz Badges
Houzz Pro Software User
Recommended on Houzz
10 Ideabook Saves
3 Affiliations
NCARBAmerican Institute of Architects, Washington DCLEED AP
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Featured Review
Katie McGuire
Katie McGuire
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
CACAO Studio's commitment to designing with care is evident in every single detail of our project. They don't just design buildings; they craft experiences with immense thought and precision. Their attention to how spaces make you feel is extraordinaRead Full Review
Write a Review

18 Reviews for CACAO

Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars5.0|18 reviews
Work Quality
5.0
Communication
5.0
Value
5.0
DA
Dave
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I came to the team with a very specific, somewhat complex vision, and they executed it perfectly. What I appreciated most was the collaborative spirit. Jason and JoseMi were fantastic at listening to my ideas while also providing the technical reality checks needed to make the project functional.
LP
LP
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
We have worked with Cacao over the past year to renovate our 1950 Cape Cod and have truly been grateful for their guidance and transparency through the process. This is our first home renovation and we were so grateful that JoseMi and Joe took us on and helped us create a unique home we can be proud of while also addressing our top items that we were looking for. JoseMi truly cares about his clients and it shows in his work. We have had a few hiccups along the way and JoseMi was a huge help in getting things resolved and ensuring the designs still looked great. We really appreciated the transparency with the pricing as we were having a hard time finding an architect who was transparent and willing to take on what was originally a much smaller project. Understanding the breakdown and the different stages really helped educate us in the renovation process overall and we couldn't be more grateful. We're looking forward to wrapping up our project in the next few months and can't wait to see it truly come to life! Thank you Cacao!
JG
Justin Green
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Working with CACAO Studio was a fantastic experience. JoseMi and the team are professional, creative, and highly collaborative. They always listened carefully and brought thoughtful ideas that elevated our project. Their communication was clear, the process felt smooth, and every detail was handled with care. I’d gladly recommend CACAO Studio to anyone looking for a team that combines design expertise with genuine passion for their work.
Martin Ramirez
Martin Ramirez
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Working with Cacao has been a great experience. Their ability to adapt to diverse contexts—whether designing a modern condo in Maryland or a nature-integrated home in Ecuador—demonstrates their versatility and deep understanding of functional and feel good spaces. Their commitment to natural light sets them apart. Every concept they delivered was thoughtfully oriented to maximize daylight, creating warm, inviting spaces that feel both energizing and serene. Their designs don’t just look good—they feel good to live in. They listen attentively, offer insightful perspectives, and always provide fresh ideas to complement. Whether you're developing housing in the U.S. or Latin America, this studio brings a rare combination of creativity, professionalism, and contextual understanding. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking architecture that is both beautiful and deeply livable.
SY
Simón Yates
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Working with JOseMi has been an excellent experience. He has been consistently responsive and adaptable, guiding us with thoughtful coaching along the journey so far. His communication is clear and effective, and he has a natural ability to translate ideas into solutions that make sense. He always comes prepared, and his input helps us move forward with confidence. While we are only at the beginning of this project, his partnership has already given us a strong foundation. I’m excited about what we’ll create together and confident that, with his expertise, our vision will be realized.
denchfield llc
denchfield llc
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
We’ve been home builders for 44 years in the DMV. CACAO is a good firm to work with. The drawings are clear and have good details. They are a pleasure to work with
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Thanks Eric. It's always a pleasure to work with you too. We wish you the best.
GI
Gianmarco
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Working with Cacao Studio on our future project was a really good experience overall. Although we ultimately decided not to proceed with the plan, the proposal that JoseMi developed for our 1954 rambler house was truly revolutionary. He brought fresh ideas and a creative approach that reimagined the potential of our space in ways we hadn’t considered before. Throughout the process, the communication was clear, professional, and collaborative. We felt listened to and respected every step of the way. If you’re looking for a studio that can deliver innovative design concepts with care and expertise, I’d definitely recommend Cacao Studio.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Gianmarco, thank you for sharing this thoughtful review. We’re grateful we had the opportunity to explore the possibilities of your home with you. Even though you chose not to move forward right now, it means a great deal to us that you valued the process and our design approach. We’ll be here whenever you’re ready to take the next step, and we’d be excited to reimagine your space together.
DC
David Cea
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I had an incredible experience with CACAO! The customer service was excellent and the process from start to finish was very smooth, structured, and transparent. I highly recommend them; the project exceeded my expectations.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
David, thank you for your generous words! We’re delighted to hear that the process felt smooth and transparent and that the results exceeded expectations. It was an absolute pleasure working with you!
Clemence Kim
Clemence Kim
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
CACAO team and JoseMi are phenomenal to work with. Extremely professional and communicative about project details even if it is a smaller project! Highly recommended.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Clemence, thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you felt supported and cared for throughout the process.
KA
Kathy
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The CACAO team is great! Passionate about their work, extremely thoughtful in their design and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Thank you so much for your generous review! We’re passionate about bringing thoughtful design to every project. Your name doesn't show up so I don't know who you are but I wanted to respond regardless.
Doug Nelson
Doug Nelson
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
These folks are top notch and have state of the art design capabilities. Joe and JoseMi do very good work.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Doug, thank you! We truly appreciate your vote of confidence in our work and capabilities.
Katie McGuire
Katie McGuire
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
CACAO Studio's commitment to designing with care is evident in every single detail of our project. They don't just design buildings; they craft experiences with immense thought and precision. Their attention to how spaces make you feel is extraordinary.
John Bracken
John Bracken
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The design process with CACAO Studio was a true partnership. They create an environment of shared vision and are excellent listeners. Every step, from discovery to refinement, felt collaborative and aligned. Their team works with such integrity and respect.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
John, thank you for sharing this! Collaboration is at the heart of our process, and it means so much to hear that you felt the partnership and integrity throughout.
Robert Leary
Robert Leary
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
CACAO was a pleasure to work with, Their design ideas were fantastic! I would definitely use them again.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Robert, thank you for trusting us with your project. We’re thrilled you enjoyed the ideas we developed together and would love the opportunity to collaborate again in the future.
AJ
Anais Julienne
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Jose Miguel and the Cacao was key to the success of our house renovation project! We were able to "Play" with the floor plan while getting professional opinion and advice and someone to help us think outside of the box and find solutions. They also helped us select the right contractor and continue to give us advices at critical points of the construction. We now have the house of our dreams, never thought that we would be able to fit in all or asks and still end up with a house with very spacious feel and spaces. We enjoy it everyday!
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Anais, thank you for such a generous review. It was a joy working with you to reimagine your home, and we’re so glad the process felt collaborative, and ultimately led to the house of your dreams.
H9
HU-928159846
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Cacao architects were so easy and enjoyable to work with. They made the whole process convenient and listen to what you want in the design. They are flexible offering both in person and virtual meetings when appropriate. The quality of their work is also to notch, even the builders we consulted noted how good the architectural plans were. Would highly recommend using for then any home design or build project.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
hank you for your kind words! We’re delighted that the process felt smooth and flexible for you, and it’s always one of the best compliments when we hear that the builders also appreciated the quality of the plans.
CA
carl1979us
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I wanted to share my experience working with CACAO Architects over the last few years. Having completed multiple projects with multiple architects, I can easily say that CACAO stands well above the rest. I've worked with them on several renovation projects, including rowhouses and historic homes, and every time they’ve exceeded my expectations. I recommend them with absolutely the highest regards. These projects were tricky, with complex existing conditions and difficult code/zoning regulations, but CACAO handled everything smoothly. They know how to tackle challenging design issues and make the whole process work. What I love most about working with CACAO is their responsiveness and creative, thoughtful approach. They make sure each project is not only beautiful but also functional. They’re great at breaking down complicated ideas in a way that’s easy to understand for everyone involved—clients, contractors, and the team. Their clear communication helps keep everyone on the same page and makes collaboration a breeze.
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Carl, thank you for this thoughtful and detailed review. It’s been such an honor working with you across multiple projects, especially on complex homes with unique challenges. Your trust and collaboration mean the world to us.
H6
HU-67414923
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
After nearly a year of searching, we found a co-op that we loved but it needed a major re-design. Joe listened to our needs and priorities, and we worked closely together to make a TV room/den out of some dysfunctional storage, open up a dark foyer to a long view and natural light, and open up the dining room to a great view. Joe helped us create flexible spaces while still respecting the vintage feel of the unit. We have a great space now that works really well for our family. We couldn't have done it without him!" Valerie K. / INTERIOR REMODELING
CACAO
Comment from CACAO:
Valerie, thank you for sharing your experience. We loved helping transform your co-op into a home that feels bright, flexible, and true to its character. It’s wonderful to hear how well the spaces are working for your family.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our architectural services include managing the permitting process. We handle developing detailed construction documents and navigating approvals to ensure your project progresses smoothly from concept to completion, bringing your vision to light.

As a licensed design-build firm, we absolutely are. We bring decades of experience as architects and builders, and maintaining proper licensing and insurance is fundamental to our professional practice and commitment to our clients in the DMV region.

Our design-build process is comprehensive, covering everything from initial planning and architectural design to interior design, landscape integration, and construction. We ensure a unified approach where design and construction work as one, guided by our pursuit of light and craft, delivering a seamless experience and exceptional results.

Absolutely. We are CACAO Studio, a collective of architects, builders, and designers. We offer integrated design-build services, meaning we handle both the architectural design and the construction phases, ensuring a cohesive vision and seamless execution for your project from concept to completion.

Yes, we specialize in both additions and large renovations. Our design-build services cover custom homes, additions, and renovations, including complex projects like rowhouses and historic homes. We're dedicated to transforming existing spaces with care and precision in the DMV region.

FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.

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CACAO
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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