BELL Architects, PC is an award-winning architectural design firm located in the District of Columbia. BELL Architects specializes in challenging urban sites, sustainable design, historic preservation and adaptive reuse with extensive experience with public and private sector clients on a variety of project types.
David Bell, AIA, LEEDap BD+C, started the SBA HUB-Zone Certified (#760) Design Firm in 1999 to fill an increasing need for professional A-E services concentrating on community development, sustainable design and historic preservation for commercial, residential and mixed-use projects. Located in an enterprise zone within the Shaw Historic District of Washington, DC, BELL has taken on the immediate needs of the City’s neighborhoods through context specific sustainable design.
As a member of the EPA’s Climate Leaders Program, BELL works to reduce their impact on the global environment by completing a corporate-wide inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions based on a quality management system, setting aggressive reduction goals, and annually reporting their progress to EPA.
The staff of 16 has expertise in site analysis, master planning, rehabilitation, systems integration, security design, accessibility for persons with disabilities (ADA, ABA, UFAS, etc.), and the public presentation and approval process. It has demonstrated skill with integrating new systems and improving energy efficiency within older buildings, achieving regulatory approvals and client expectations without compromising the character of significant spaces.
There are eight LEED® accredited design professionals who have worked extensively with LEED certified projects. Rather than rely on an outside consultant, BELL has integrated sustainability, energy and environmental factors into its practice. They also developed their own historic building (pictured above and below) into a award-winning LEED certified rehabilitation and understand related issues for construction and maintenance operations as owners.