FIRM SPOTLIGHT | STUDIO LYEW

Richard Lyew, Founding Principal of STUDIO LYEW

 

In July, we celebrate Richard Lyew—architect, entrepreneur, and community-focused designer whose work demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can strengthen neighborhoods and enrich everyday life.

BUILDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH THOUGHTFUL DESIGN 

Richard Lyew is the founder and principal of Studio Lyew, a Washington, DC-based architecture practice serving families, businesses, and communities across the region. With over two decades of professional experience, Richard has built a career grounded in technical excellence, thoughtful problem-solving, and a commitment to improving the built environment.

Richard’s professional foundation is shaped by both engineering and architecture. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of the West Indies before receiving his Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a combination that informs his balance of creativity, precision, and constructability.

Before establishing Studio Lyew in 2019, Richard spent more than a decade contributing to nationally recognized architecture firms, where he led and supported projects across healthcare, education, hospitality, commercial, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse sectors. His experience includes work on large-scale medical facilities, educational campuses, historic renovations, and neighborhood revitalization efforts throughout the Washington metropolitan region and beyond.

His areas of expertise include:

  • Designing residential, commercial, institutional, and adaptive reuse projects

  • Leading renovation and addition projects that thoughtfully transform existing buildings

  • Integrating engineering principles with architectural design to improve project coordination and efficiency

  • Balancing creativity, constructability, budget, and long-term value

 

THE STUDIO LYEW APPROACH 

  • A collaborative design process where the owner, architect, and contractor help shape the project from concept through construction

  • Architecture that adapts to the evolving needs of families, businesses, and communities

Leadership and advocacy

Beyond his architectural practice, Richard Lyew advances the profession through leadership, mentorship, and service. As a Registered Architect, LEED AP BD+C, and member of both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), he supports emerging professionals and contributes to community-centered initiatives, including pro-bono design services and design clinics.

Richard also contributes to broader conversations about architecture and practice, including through his participation in the Architecture Is Political podcast, where he discussed balancing architecture, entrepreneurship, and fatherhood.

A LASTING IMPACT ON THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Under Richard’s leadership, Studio Lyew has established itself as a practice where relationships are central to the design process. Every project begins with listening to how clients live, work, and use their spaces before translating those insights into thoughtful architectural solutions.

Through intentional collaboration, technical expertise, and a commitment to community, Richard continues to show how modest-scale projects can create lasting impact.

DCNOMA celebrates Richard Lyew and Studio Lyew for their dedication to community-centered design, collaborative leadership, and architecture that strengthens communities one project at a time.