FIRM SPOTLIGHT | POM Studio Architects

Portia Strahan, Founding Principal (Left Image) and Dominica Beverley, Architectural Designer (Right Image)

 

POM Studio Architects is an LGBTQ+, Black woman-owned architecture firm rooted in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The firm specializes in a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, and cultural projects. Its name, POM—an acronym for Peace of Mind—reflects a core philosophy: to bring calm, clarity, and appreciation to a process that is often complex and high-pressure.

At POM Studio, the team listens deeply, designs intentionally, and leads with genuine care. The firm creates architecture that is not only functional and beautiful, but also deeply responsive—to people, to place, and to purpose. Every project is approached as an opportunity to center human experience and design in harmony with nature, culture, and community.

POM Studio is committed to:

  • Providing solutions that exist in harmony with the environment and the lives they serve

  • Remaining actively engaged with the communities they design for and the contexts they shape

  • Continuously learning—always and in all ways—so their work evolves with empathy, innovation, and integrity

Through its straw-bale and natural building work, POM Studio is helping reimagine what sustainable architecture can look like in the Mid-Atlantic—beautiful, high-performance, and deeply connected to place. The firm views these systems not as niche experiments, but as practical, scalable tools for creating healthier and more equitable built environments. Projects such as the Dodon House, The Bee House, and Black Dirt Farm Event Barn exemplify how regenerative materials like straw-bale and natural finishes can produce buildings that are energy-efficient, visually compelling, and meaningfully connected to the land they inhabit.

 

Portia strahan & Dominica beverley: Where Community Meets Craft

DC NOMA is proud to shine a spotlight on Portia Strahan and Dominica Beverley, for their powerful contributions to architecture, community, and the future of equitable design. Through their commitment to deep listening, community engagement, and regenerative design, Portia and Domica are redefining what architectural practice can look like in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. Their work not only produces beautiful, high-performing spaces, but also advances conversations around representation, environmental responsibility, and culturally grounded design. This spotlight celebrates their leadership, their impact, and the meaningful example they set for emerging designers and practitioners across our field.

Portia Strahan, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED AP, is the founding principal of POM Studio Architects and a licensed Architect in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. She established POM, which stands for ‘Peace of Mind,’ to promote the visibility of responsible minority architects committed to socially and ecologically restorative design. Portia holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University (2007) and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Utah (2016). With over 15 years of experience, she has contributed to diverse projects, focusing on community and cultural-based designs, especially in communities of color. She is also one of the founders of CraftWell: The People’s School, which is a trades school based in Southern Maryland focused on providing a space for Black and Brown, women, queer and trans folks to gain exposure and training in the building trades and traditional arts and crafts.

Throughout her career, Portia has been involved in various educational and community-focused initiatives. She participated in the Design Build Bluff Program at the University of Utah, which deepened her skills in construction and project management. Portia has also volunteered for organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Architecture for Humanity, and PETS, and served on their boards. She has taught Architectural Design Studio at the University of Maryland, College Park, and spoken at numerous career fairs to inspire young minority architects.

Outside of her professional work, Portia finds inspiration in hands-on craftsmanship and nature. She enjoys building, planting, hiking, and spending time with family and dogs outdoors, which keeps her grounded and sensitive to the people and places she designs for.

Dominica Beverley is an innovative architectural designer who joined POM Studio Architects in 2022. With a strong background in carpentry and a passion for design, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. At POM Studio, Dominica contributes her architectural expertise while also leading the firm's social media and marketing efforts, helping to showcase the studio's work to a broader audience.

A native of Prince George’s County, Dominica is a foodie at heart. On weekends, she enjoys exploring new restaurants with her partner and two daughters, always seeking the next great culinary experience.