runningdog Architects

FineCraft has thoroughly enjoyed working with RunningDog Architects, and in particular collaborating with Eric Carle. Our experience with their team has been consistently positive and highly productive. Eric brings a calm, thoughtful approach to design that translates extremely well into the construction phase. His work reflects a deep understanding of how spaces are actually built and lived in, not just how they look on paper. The designs are intentional, well-considered, and respectful of both the client’s vision and the realities of construction. From FineCraft’s perspective, the collaboration has been seamless. Drawings are clear, coordination is solid, and communication is straightforward. When questions arise in the field, Eric is responsive, collaborative, and solution-oriented — focused on moving the project forward rather than getting stuck in theory. What stands out most is the mutual respect RunningDog Architects brings to the builder–architect relationship. There is a shared goal of delivering the best possible outcome for the homeowner, and that alignment makes a tangible difference in both process and final result. We value our partnership with RunningDog Architects and greatly enjoy working with Eric Carle. We look forward to continuing to collaborate on projects where good design and good building go hand in hand.

runningdog was great to work with and provided excellent guidance from the beginning to the end of our projects. Eric helped us brainstorm a new kitchen and a new screened in back porch even before we purchased our 100 year old house. When we were ready to get started he and his team provided excellent ideas and worked hard to incorporate our own sense of what we wanted to achieve. He was easy to work with, responsive, and we could not be happier with the outcome!

Technically, a very good team. Responsive and attentive. I appreciated Eric's direct, no-nonsense approach to getting the job done.

Runningdog was incredible with our renovation! We did a gut renovation for our 1967 a-frame mid century home, and they were thoughtful, responsive, and were able to (somehow) fit everything we wanted into the small space. Goodbye eat-in 1960's kitchen, hello open floorplan with views of the Potomac river. We are ecstatic with our home; it has truly changed our life. It was quite a feat to get everything we needed in the space, and even after living in the space for a year, we are still overjoyed and can't believe we live there. Thank you to an amazing team!

We hired Rachel to modernize and future proof our dowdy old Sears home for age in place single floor living. The result is not only functional, but beautiful and a joy to live in. Large windows bring in the outdoors of our wooded lot and the flow she created on the main floor is a day to day delight. Expectations exceeded.

We hired Eric Carle and Runningdog Architects to design a complete rebuild of our home in Washington, DC. We loved designing with Eric, and are absolutely thrilled with the final result! The design process was collaborative and thoughtful. Eric listened to our needs and wants and presented us with fantastic options. He took into careful consideration how our family lived, and designed a customized floor plan with large, informal gathering spaces as well as smaller, intimate rooms. Eric maximized the use of space throughout. He created showstopping, light-filled open spaces as well as specific areas for sentimental pieces of furniture and artwork (and his design included directed lighting for these items!). In addition, even though our home is situated close to our neighbors on both sides, he selected window locations and sizes that maximized both light and privacy – both for us and our neighbors. Eric was instrumental in introducing us to builders that he thought were appropriate for the complexity of this build. And he worked seamlessly with the builder that we ultimately selected. Eric also was conscious of our budget. When our builder presented a proposal that was higher than our budget allowed, Eric spearheaded a challenging value engineering effort that brought the cost down while preserving the essential spaces and design elements. Our home is a dream come true. Although we do not intend to do so, if we were to build again, Eric would be our first call.

FineCraft has has the great pleasure of working with the team at Runningdog. They are professional, kind, personable, and an overall positive team to work with. It always takes a team to create a beautiful and successful project, and with Runningdog they make achieving this goal an easy and enjoyable ride. We can’t wait to show off this one project in Arlington that we’re working on together. It’s going to be gorgeous! Thank you!

RunningDog designed a second story addition for our house, as well as a redesign of the first floor. They were very helpful getting our design requirements fit into a very specific space requirement, as well as quickly addressing a redesign necessitated by the permitting process. The ultimate product is exactly what we were looking for.

We started with a kitchen renovation that was to stay within the footprint of our home, but meeting with Warren and Eric opened possibilities that we had not considered! We stayed within our footprint and added a beautiful living space that suits us perfectly. They worked with us on design concepts and then let us run with it. We changed a few minor things with our GC, but the main design was theirs. Communication was easy and the collaborative nature made our project enjoyable. We were very happy from start to finish!

We live in a colonial house built in the early 1940's. Thanks to RunningDog we now have a beautifully renovated house with a contemporary addition -- it looks stunning, and satisfies our need for an open floor plan with higher ceilings on the main level. Everything is now oriented to appreciate the landscaping features outside. We used the Ideabooks on Houzz and collaborated with our architect and contractor to bring our vision to fruition. We are very happy.

I was fortunate to collaborate with Running Dog Architects on the gut rehab of a historic Washington DC/Kalorama home in a landmarked district. The process took about 1 year. As an interior designer I have high expectations about the projects finishes and interior architecture. Running Dog Architect and I worked seamlessly. The entire team, architect, builder, designer were flexible and open-minded when construction problems arose and shared a common goal: the best possible outcome for our client. Everyone's work was elevated by the collaborative tone that was set. Building or renovating a home is expensive. Running Dog Architect are a great source of talent, knowledge, reason and information. We ended up with an amazing project and a happy client. Running Dog is a wonderful architecture firm to work with.

Eric of Running Dog did great work designing our two story deck. The job required input from and engineer, which Eric arranged. Eric listened to our preferences and gave us several design options that were within our budget. We are GCing the job, and Eric was good about following up with us to track progress.

Runningdog worked with me from start to end, redesigning my bathroom and kitchen in an 1840 house. They had to reimagine how to maximize the existing space in an awkwardly constructed area, giving me greater footage, light, and alignment. The timeline stayed pretty much on target as did the budget, despite the unpredictability of an old house. They were particularly good at a) managing my expectations, b) helping me find, contract with, and manage my contractor, c) manage the permitting process, d) control costs, and e) provide decorating tips. Running dog was very professional and were available by email all the time, and met me at my house regularly and upon request. I think what was invaluable was their skill in managing someone with no experience with a renovation and all the unpredictability that one encounters. Further, their vision - and then the final product - for my space is really beautiful.

We Hired Eric Carle and Warren Wick with Runningdog Architects to help us to renovate our four story row house in the historic neighborhood of Kalorama, in Washington, DC. Working with Eric and Warren was a pleasure as they listened carefully to our goals and vision for the project. They were responsive and worked hard to nurture a team approach between us, our interior designer and the contractor. Most importantly they were there for us during construction whenever we had a question or concern. The scope of our renovation was to gut the interior to start completely anew. Eric and Warren were quick to envision new configurations of rooms to better fit our lifestyle. In addition to working with us on the interior, Runningdog Architects was able to work with the DC Historic Planning Office to get a timely approval for work on the exterior that included several large openings in the rear facades to access the existing deck and to build a new deck over the garage. We love our home and are happy to give Runningdog Architects our highest recommendation.

We hired Runningdog Architects to design an expansion of our garage from one car to two cars. We are located in an historic district so the project had to comply with neighborhood standards. The Runningdog team headed by Warren Wick met with us to determine what we wanted. They then gave us a timetable for the stages of the design and produced a set of drawings precisely in accordance with the schedule. Their experience with the city historic personnel resulted in a project approval in less than 48 hours with no changes required. Overall, Runningdog was a pleasure to work with; they completed their work on time and on budget. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for personal service from experienced professionals.

I have been in the construction business in the Washington DC metro area for 22 + years and have worked with Jim Gibson of Gibson Builders for much of that time. We have been working with Runningdog Architects on a complete gut renovation of a Row House in the Kalorama section of Washington DC. The process of how Runningdog Architects works has been very impressive. They have shown themselves to be very thoughtful in the way they work with both the client and the builder. They show a great deal of respect to the clients budget and the building process all the while producing excellent design. Above all else, they are detailed and easy to work with, a combination we are not used to. We would strongly recommend Runningdog Architects for any architectural services you are looking for and look forward to continuing our relationship.

I am a long time residential builder (30 + years) and I worked with Runningdog Architects on a renovation of a Bethesda, Maryland home. The scope included a fairly substantial gut renovation of the existing house and an addition for a new master suite. It was a pleasure to work with Runningdog Architects in large part due to Eric and Warren’s years of experience. They are extremely professional, provided comprehensive plans, were responsive throughout the construction process to answer questions and always available for onsite consultations. We look forward to working with Runningdog Architects on future projects.

When my husband and I purchased our 1959 brick colonial home, we always planned on a modern renovation. We interviewed a number of architects and chose Runningdog to take on the project. In a neighborhood where most work is new builds, we knew we wanted to keep the existing home, but give it a clean, modern aesthetic. Eric and Warren were thoughtful in their design, providing us with 3 different options to choose from for our master bedroom, which was to be one of the main points of renovation. The work that they have done has been all that we could have hoped for and more. What began as a project that we thought would be more of a starter home, has transformed into our dream home and we couldn't be more thrilled. Using the existing space, and adding a small addition, we have gone from a choppy traditional floor plan to an open concept filled with light. Our master bedroom addition is something of a tree house, private and light filled and the best possible sanctuary after a long day. The attention to detail in the design process, as well as the construction, has resulted in a truly exquisite final product. We wholeheartedly recommend Runningdog Architects for any architectural needs and are beyond amazed at what they were capable of creating out of our traditional brick home.

I've had the pleasure of working with Runningdog Architects as a flooring consultant on some of their current projects and my experience with Eric Carle dates back nearly seven years as we were colleagues in a previous architecture firm. Eric and Warren's attention to detail, attention to budgetary constraints and passion for the design process create the highest quality product every time. On a personal note, as I explore the purchase of my own home, Eric has advised me on the overall quality of homes we have been considering and providing me excellent ideas with regard to how best to utilize the existing bones of the house and the potential that each property has. Eric can visually carve out a layout and clearly explain the potential within the walls of an existing structure better than anyone I have ever dealt with. Eric has made a phenomenal transition from large scale projects as he has a great understanding of the home. If you want someone to confidently assure a successful design and construction process, Runningdog Architects is the firm to call.

Running Dog Architects is a newer architectural design firm lead by two architects who are passionate about great design. I have had the privilege to work with partners Eric Carle and Warren Wick during their formative days in large architectural design firms. Both of these professionals have the talent and skill to produce outstanding architecture. They are adept at exterior and interior design at all scales. They listen, aim to please and collaborate with their clients. I highly reccommend this team for any project.

I was living in a dated condo made up of a series of rooms complete with a totally enclosed kitchen. When the dishwasher failed, I finally decided to take on a renovation that would transform my condo into more of an open concept arrangement. I hired Runningdog Architects to explore what could be done with the space. The result was a wonderful modernization of my home. With smart but simple moves, the entire character of my home was transformed from a series of enclosed rooms to a sequence of open spaces and captured views. The new arrangement is simultaneously set up for formal entertaining and easy living. Runningdog Architects was there from the initial concept sketches all the way through construction, always making the process as easy as possible for me. I couldn't be happier with the work of Eric Carle and Runningdog Architects.