Principal

Travis Price Architects; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis Price Architects, based in Washington, DC, seeks a Principal to provide creative, strategic, and operational leadership. The role oversees design direction, client relationships, and project delivery from concept through completion, on-site in Washington, DC.

You will lead design teams, guide project narratives, and reflect ecological sensitivity and modernist rigor in every commission. The position includes supervising budgets, schedules, mentoring staff, coordinating with consultants,

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams from design through construction.
• Portfolio demonstrating modernist work informed by ecology, culture, and site narratives.
• Experience securing new work through business development and networking.
• Expertise in budgeting, scheduling, contract administration, and coordination with engineers, consultants, and contractors.
• Proficiency with contemporary design/documentation tools (Revit/CAD) and related visualization software.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design direction and product narratives for multiple commissions from concept through completion.
• Manage client relationships, presentations, and public forums.
• Lead design teams and mentor staff while maintaining quality, budget, and schedule.

Skills

Leadership

Conceptual design

Client relations

Project management

BIM tools

Staff mentoring

Building codes

Sustainability

Public speaking

Education

Architecture degree

Tools

Revit

CAD

Visualization software

BIM platforms

Job description

Company Description

Travis Price Architects is an award-winning, internationally recognized architecture firm specializing in ecologically and culturally advanced residential, commercial, and institutional projects. Based in Washington, DC, the practice is grounded in ecology, mythology, and technology, restoring the “spirit of place” to contemporary design. The studio’s work focuses on creating authentic modernist spaces informed by cultural heritage and nature, reflecting each client’s unique identity and context. Designs emphasize “Metaphorical Modernism,” in which enduring metaphors and site-specific ecological geographies shape the architectural form. The firm collaborates closely with clients to create architecture that not only shelters but also inspires, influencing how people live and experience their environments over time.

Role Description

The Principal will provide creative, strategic, and operational leadership for the firm, overseeing design direction, client relationships, and project delivery from concept through completion. This full-time, on-site role in Washington, DC includes leading design teams, guiding project narratives, and ensuring that each commission reflects the firm’s commitment to ecological sensitivity, cultural depth, and modernist rigor. The Principal will manage key client accounts, participate in business development, and represent the firm in presentations, interviews, and public forums.

Daily responsibilities include supervising project budgets and schedules, reviewing drawings and specifications, mentoring staff, and coordinating with consultants and builders to maintain design quality and constructability. The Principal will also contribute to firm strategy, marketing initiatives, and thought leadership to advance the firm’s mission and visibility.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in architecture practice, including managing multidisciplinary teams and guiding complex projects from design through construction.
• Strong conceptual and design skills, with a portfolio demonstrating modernist work informed by ecology, cultural heritage, and site-specific narratives.
• Experience building and maintaining client relationships, leading presentations, and securing new work through business development and networking.
• Expertise in project management, including budgeting, scheduling, contract administration, and coordination with engineers, consultants, and contractors.
• Proficiency with contemporary design and documentation tools (e.g., Revit or other BIM platforms, CAD, and visualization software), and comfort with emerging technologies.
• Ability to mentor and develop staff, foster an inclusive and collaborative studio culture, and support professional growth across the team.
• Advanced knowledge of building codes, sustainability practices, and best practices in environmentally responsive design.
• Professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch) and professional licensure; NCARB certification and LEED or equivalent sustainability credentials are beneficial.
• Experience in public speaking, writing, or teaching related to architecture, design theory, or ecological and cultural design is a plus.