How is CHECA Architects PC rated?

CHECA Architects PC is currently rated 5 overall out of 5

What services does CHECA Architects PC provide?

CHECA Architects PC provides the following services: 3D Rendering, Architectural Design, Bathroom Design, Building Design, Custom Home, Energy-Efficient Homes, Floor Plans, Green Building, Guesthouse Design & Construction, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, Kitchen Design, Kitchen Remodeling, New Home Construction, Pool House Design & Construction, Space Planning, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Custom Homes, Construction Drawings

Where does CHECA Architects PC provide services?

CHECA Architects PC provides services in the following areas: Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Baileys Crossroads, Bethesda, College Park, DC (Washington), Forest Heights, Hillcrest Heights, Hyattsville, Idylwood, Lincolnia, North Bethesda, North Chevy Chase, Potomac, Silver Spring, Springfield, Takoma Park, Tysons Corner, Washington, White Oak, Bowie, Fort Washington, Laurel, Chevy Chase, Coral Hills, Falls Church, Lake Barcroft, Mclean, North Kensington, Rockville, great falls, poolesville, fairfax station, brinklow, clifton, garrett park, vienna, cabin john, brookeville

CHECA Architects PC

20 Reviews

Architects

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About Us

CHECA Architects is a firm founded on the belief that good design speaks to your unique sensibilities and reflects who you are. We have the experience and creative mastery to communicate and design beautiful practical solutions. Working closely with our clients, we weave dreams, aspirations, and lifestyle considerations into a shared vision and a distinctive design process. Our focus is on creating harmonious interplay between form, light, and space – celebrating the natural beauty of the surroundings and lifting the human spirit. As a full-service firm, our hallmark is our ability to attend to every well-crafted detail – from lighting to landscaping – to create elegant, modern homes in the city, in the country, or in-between. Throughout the design and construction process, we leverage a team of green-minded architects, engineers, landscape architects, and builders. We integrate the highest standards in sustainable design and construction techniques to ensure our work is good for people, for business, and for the environment. Lorena Checa, AIA, LEED AP Lorena Checa is the visionary and Principal Architect of CHECA Architects – a firm specializing in beautiful, conscious design. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Lorena’s 30+ years of innovative design draw upon her upbringing in Lima, Peru, a lifetime of travel, exposure to different perspectives, and an innate passion for sustainability. Her design approach is rooted in ancient wisdom and informed by simple science. She has a unique capacity to incorporate modern technologies and materials in ways that enrich the human experience and create new paradigms for ecologically sensitive architecture. Lorena, one of Washington, D.C.’s top green architects, considers the design process a co-creation with her clients and her highly integrated team of architects, engineers, landscape architects, and builders. Her vision of using architecture as a channel for celebrating the human spirit and the depth of her experience in creating sustainable solutions have captured both critical acclaim and media attention. In 2003, she was awarded the Presidential Citation for Sustainable Design by the D.C. chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Lorena’s work has been featured on HGTV and in numerous publications including: Home and Design, Chesapeake Home, Natural Home & Garden, and the Washington Post.

Awards

AIA, LEED AP AIA/Washington DC Chapter 2003 Award: Presidential Citation for Sustainable Design for Cole Residence in McLean, VA; Home & Design 2018 Winner of 100 Top Designers

Projects

Fitzpatrick Residence - Renovation and Addition

Washington, DC

Southern MD - Waterfront Family Compound

Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in DC Metro

Business Details

Business Name

CHECA Architects PC

Phone Number

(202) 299-0186

Website

www.ChecaArchitects.com

Address

Washington, DC 20007

Typical Job Cost

$300,000 - 10 million

License Number

ARC4920

Followers

333 Followers

Socials

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Services Provided

Architectural Design

Building Design

Home Remodeling

Custom Homes

New Home Construction

Home Additions

Home Extensions

Kitchen Design

Sustainable Design

Kitchen Remodeling

Energy-Efficient Homes

Floor Plans

3D Rendering

Green Building

Bathroom Design

Space Planning

Guesthouse Design & Construction

Universal Design

Pool House Design & Construction

Construction Drawings

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Areas Served

Washington

Alexandria

Annandale

Arlington

Baileys Crossroads

Bethesda

Bowie

brinklow

brookeville

cabin john

Chevy Chase

clifton

College Park

Coral Hills

DC (Washington)

fairfax station

Falls Church

Forest Heights

Fort Washington

garrett park

great falls

Hillcrest Heights

Hyattsville

Idylwood

Lake Barcroft

Laurel

Lincolnia

Mclean

North Bethesda

North Chevy Chase

North Kensington

poolesville

Potomac

Rockville

Silver Spring

Springfield

Takoma Park

Tysons Corner

vienna

White Oak

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Credentials

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Write a Review

20 Reviews for CHECA Architects PC

Newest first

5.0|20 reviews

Work Quality

5.0

Communication

4.7

Value

5.0

Leslie Traub

Lorena brings a rare sensibility to space and design—one that seamlessly integrates indoors with outdoors and honors the natural beauty of the land. Her contemporary style is warm, organic, and deeply connected to its surroundings. Whether she’s designing a new home or reimagining a single room, she ensures each detail complements the whole, reflecting the unique assets of the property and the character of the client. Natural materials are at the heart of her work—beautiful woods, stone, and textures that feel timeless and alive. Lighting, too, plays a central role, and Lorena collaborates with a trusted circle of specialists to create atmospheres that elevate each space with subtle, artful touches. What makes Lorena truly exceptional is her ability to align design with the values and lifestyle of her clients. She brings clarity and practicality to every decision—knowing where it’s worth investing for lasting impact and where thoughtful adjustments can achieve beauty without excess. We found working with Lorena to be a truly joyful partnership. The spaces she creates reflect the spirit of trust, care and connection.

September 23, 2025

Miriam and Michael Fitzpatrick

Lorena Checa brilliantly redesigned the first floor of our center-hall colonial home in NW Washington, DC. Her keen eye and creative vision turned a somewhat static, traditional space into an open, airy, bright, and modern (but warm) living environment for our family. It took a brain like Lorena's to problem solve and see what could be! We love our new space and are so grateful to have completed the renovation before the pandemic hit. The flow and coziness she was able to maintain in an open floor plan brings our family and guests great comfort and joy. She also beautifully redesigned the rear external side of our home to reflect the more modern feel of the interior . Lorena is organized, warm and full of great energy, creative ideas and touches. She is also strongly committed to eco-friendly building /sustainable architectural practices. Bravo Lorena!

October 19, 2022

chuck_stark7

We hired Lorena Checa to design and oversee the down-to-the-structure renovation of the three full bathrooms in our 1960's townhouse, and couldn't be more satisfied. Now, four years after the job's completion, I still smile with pleasure at the rooms' overall design and superb details. Lorena's sense of space, of light, of functionality, and her taste and flair, were brilliant. We used a contractor that she recommended, and her insistence that everything be done to the highest standard is reflected in every aspect of the outcome. Besides all that, she's a lovely person and was a pleasure to work with.

June 15, 2021

HU-221709763

Lorena Checa is an inspired architect who carefully considers every detail of the project - space, form, lighting, materials, finishes. Working with Lorena is a creative partnership that ends with a product as beautiful as you can imagine. She partners with local specialists providing custom finishes in metal, etc. We have worked with Lorena three times in the 20+ years on various phases of renovations. Our house and new garage/studio are incredible. We hope that she can help you create your dream home too, we recommend her highly!

February 2, 2021

kzacarias

Lorena Checa is a genius. If you want contemporary style with warmth ....look no further. Lorena mixes elegant simple design, with natural stones and woods... and a dash of dare. So many modern houses can look so cold and sterile...Lorena's style is elegant, spare and very warm and inviting. She sought innovative ways to bring in the most sunshine and natural light and sky to our townhouse. She helped us prioritize where to save money and where to invest. She understood our budget and our priorities. As a family of 5 (3 kids) she was constantly aware with the practical parts of being a family with kids and how to make the house work and shine at the same time. We bought a complete fixer upper and have very limited remodeling experience. We have heard nightmare stories from friends about theirs...but working with Checa Architects was a joy (we also had great contractors Kelly And Steve from Space Crafters). Her wisdom and experience helped narrow our choices down to one or two things. She listens and understands our concerns. Her commitment to environmentally friendly building and beauty...not only transformed our home...but it has pushed us all to declutter and simplify...and appreciate the beauty of what we have. We tore down walls in every sense of the word. Checa Architects understand the practicality and poetry of how a real people live and thrive. I cannot recommend them enough. Trustworthy, warm, smart, and deeply committed to making your house a really beautiful modern healthy home.

March 2, 2016

swyman1

Checa Architects PC, and primarily its principal Lorena Checa, designed and supervised the remodeling of my apartment during the summer of 2012. This was a challenging task since the apartment essentially was one large room around a floor-to-ceiling enclosed atrium open to the sky. I chose to work with Checa Architects because in the past Lorena had worked with me and my late wife on two other design/remodeling projects. I knew from experience that I could rely on her for practical, innovative, tasteful and attractive solutions. Lorena quickly saw the redesign opportunities and possibilities for the one room: she converted it into four distinct activity areas by removing the atrium entirely and putting in a roof structure with skylights. With sliding pocket doors she separated the open kitchen from the rest of the one room. She enlisted a trusted contractor to handle and coordinate construction jobs, electrical works and plumbing needs. She brought in lighting experts and color/paint specialists, and integrated their work with the contractor. She brought an experienced carpenter/millworker to design, build and install bookshelves and cabinets with drawers along the walls of two of the four activity areas. Without exception Lorena was on top of the project from start to finish. In a word, the end result is spectacular. The remodeled apartment is a joy to live in: fabulous and innovative lighting, plenty of space with natural movement, and a welcoming, eco-conscious and gracious atmosphere. I would not hesitate to recommend Checa Architects. Lorena’s attention to detail and keen spatial and color sense are exceptional. She always was available for consultation and visited the site almost daily to stay on top of the work. Lorena has an easy-going temperament that makes her a pleasure to deal with.

September 3, 2014

rondacole1

“Everyone who walks into this house says, “Wow, what a great house!” But what is even better is that it has been nearly two years since the renovations, and my own reaction to this house is, “WOW”.” “The design process of our renovation was fun and exciting. We had our own needs and ideas to start with, but it felt like a really collaborative effort. Mostly we liked what she offered. She easily and graciously listened, including all of what we wanted, or instead, convinced us that what we thought we wanted, we wouldn’t like when we saw it. She could really see what wasn’t yet there better than we. She listened to our lifestyle and how we would use the house. In the finished house there is not a single corner that is not attractive and well used.” “Lorena was sensitive to our budget concerns. She would show us the focal points where we should install the "top of the line" fixture or hardware but then show us other locations that could do with less pricey fixtures.”

May 16, 2014

mneifach

We recommend CHECA Architects without hesitation for any size home renovation or addition. We loved our house but were simply outgrowing it. When faced with the decision whether to expand or move, we couldn't bear the idea of leaving our neighborhood. We interviewed 3 different architecture and GC firms to get an idea of what options we had for expanding our very traditional older home in a way that could better utilize our limited space and give us the updates we needed without completely losing the current features we love with house. CHECA Architects worked with us as a team, listened to what we envisioned and provided us multiple options at various budgets to achieve our vision. Together we were able to keep our traditional dining room area, while blending it into a modern and more useable fully renovated kitchen and open family room. Lorena Checa has an incredible eye for detail, evident at every stage of the process. Her attention to detail and onsite presence as the renovation took place gave us great confidence that the renovation would be timely completed and look fantastic. We are thrilled with our renovation and addition and would work with CHECA Architects again without hesitation.

May 13, 2014

claresw

Lorena Checa did a brilliant job of designing our two-story addition and making it fit with the existing house. The interior feels spacious and light (I especially appreciate the use of glass blocks upstairs -- as a clerestory), and the exterior fits well with the traditional neighborhood. I have had enthusiastic compliments from passers-by as well as from our guests; one neighbor said that the redesigned entrance has a “Zen-like serenity”. What I especially appreciate, still, is the process that brought the end result. My husband and I were full partners in working out the possibilities and deciding on the final plans, in every detail. I never felt that any idea of ours was beneath consideration. Lorena was not only conscientious in the use of her time on out behalf, but she always pointed out ways that we could cut down on professional costs by doing a bit of legwork ourselves. It is rare to find someone who combines practicality with true artistic talent, and that’s exactly what one needs in an architect!

May 10, 2014

Business_Name_Placeholder

I have worked with Lorena as a supply and design resource, on several projects over the years. Lorena is very creative, exceptionally thoughtful, and she listens carefully and intently to the needs of her clients. She makes each project collaborative and enjoyable - always with the goal of getting the best result for her clients. She stays current on the latest in design and material possibilities, with a particular passion for green design. I would highly reccommend Lorena for any of your design requirements

May 2, 2014

jschasnoff

Most importantly, I love the design work done by Checa Architects. The result is the creation of environments that show off the very best qualities of our cabinet and furniture collaborations. The attention paid to both natural and artificial lighting is high up on the long list of attributes that distinguish Lorena Checa’s designs. The successful completion of an architectural project is more complex than most people can understand until they see it actually happening. It requires excellent communication skills, coordination of efforts by clients, architects, contractors, suppliers, trades people and laborers. Checa Architects brings the communication skills, the patience, the level of relentless attention to detail and the experience to foresee and avoid difficulties that result in the end in a satisfied customer. For me as a crafts person and furniture maker, I get to work efficiently and see the full completion of drafted design, brought to reality. It is the original design concept, the planning, the careful drawing, and the unique level of follow through of Checa Architects, which make me so happy to participate in these rewarding projects.

May 1, 2014

tarabrach

I loved working with Lorena Checa of CHECA Architects! I most valued her integrative approach - considering how all the elements of what we were doing fit together and supporting us in how to weave the project together on every level. Lorena was entirely respectful of our taste and brought all of her talents to help us manifest what we wanted. She was able to balance our budget concerns and insure an outcome that was high quality and truly aesthetic. Bottom line, Lorena’s intuition and caring heart made her a person that we could trust as we navigated a complex and naturally stressful process. Lorena’s firm was supportive on even the most practical level, guiding us in how to locate and purchase the many accouterments we desired. I hope this expresses the truth of how grateful and delighted we are with the outcome. Thank you.

May 1, 2014

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22 Comments

Commented: what is the color of the office wallsYou are most welcome Robin! I used that color in my own home. I love it - very warm! Have fun with it. Lorena Checa

August 27, 2021

Commented: Paint color of buttery yellow used in living room?This is a Benjamin Moore Aura paint. The color is pale daffodil - we love it!

July 23, 2021

Commented: What type of cabinets did you use? Great lookingHi Azuka, I am pretty sure it was one tall cabinet box, and I believe they were the only glossy while contemporary style cabinet line. The base cabinets all have the standard IKEA doors.

June 20, 2021

Commented: color of walls in office?So glad you like it! I even used it in my own home...It is Benjamin Moore Pale daffodil #2017-60 in AURA.

June 20, 2021

Commented: What color stain is the porch ceiling?I believe it was mahogany on cedar.

May 19, 2021

Commented: About the stone?I believe the field is Tennessee Limestone. The edges and column caps were a sandstone. Very beautiful and not expensive.

October 16, 2020

CHECA Architects PC