FIRM SPOTLIGHT | OTJ Architects

Kevin G. Sneed, FAIA, FIIDA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Principal + Senior Director of Architecture, OTJ Architects

 

DCNOMA proudly spotlights Kevin G. Sneed, FAIA, FIIDA, LEED AP BD+C, and OTJ Architects—a nationally recognized design firm based in Washington, D.C. known for shaping innovative, people-centered environments across workplace, cultural, residential, and science and technology sectors.

With more than three decades of professional experience, Kevin Sneed is a distinguished architect and interior designer whose career reflects a deep commitment to equity, mentorship, and design excellence. As a Senior Principal and Senior Director of Architecture at OTJ Architects, Kevin brings a collaborative and empathetic leadership style to multidisciplinary teams, influencing the firm’s most significant and impactful projects.

OTJ Architects: Forward-Thinking Design with a Human-Centered Focus
Founded over 30 years ago, OTJ Architects delivers high-performance, wellness-driven design solutions that enhance human experience and organizational success. With offices across the country and a team of over 200 professionals, OTJ’s expertise spans corporate, cultural, nonprofit, higher education, life sciences, and government sectors. The firm is dedicated to promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation in every phase of the design process.

OTJ’s award-winning portfolio includes:

  • PBS Headquarters

  • Booz Allen Hamilton Workplaces and Innovation Center

  • Knight Foundation Headquarters

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Renovation

  • Adobe Government Affairs Office

  • Strayer University Headquarters

  • The Venue at Thunder Valley Casino Resort

The firm’s core principles include:

Equity and Wellness – Designing inclusive spaces that reflect diverse voices and support holistic well-being.
Design Excellence – Balancing function, aesthetics, and sustainability through cutting-edge, research-informed practice.
Collaboration – Fostering a culture of empathy and innovation across teams, partners, and communities.

Kevin G. Sneed: A Career of Purpose and Influence


Kevin Sneed’s professional path is marked by visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to inclusion within the architectural profession. His contributions to OTJ’s portfolio include leading projects such as:

  • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Headquarters

  • NAACP Legal Defense Fund Offices in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA

  • Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP D.C. Office

A lifelong advocate for minority representation in architecture, Kevin became the inaugural recipient of the Lankford-Giles-Vaughan Minority Architect Award from DCNOMA in 2008. In 2017, he was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows, an honor held by fewer than 3% of AIA members nationwide. In 2024, he was named a Fellow of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA)—the organization’s highest distinction.

Kevin’s additional honors include:

  • 2024 IIDA Fellow Inductee

  • 2023 Interior Architecture Professional Engagement Award – GWU Corcoran School

  • 2019 AIA Virginia Award for Distinguished Achievement

  • 2008 AIA DC Presidential Citation for Sustainable Design

  • 2008 Co-author of Significant Interiors

  • 2004 AIA National Young Architects Award

  • 2003 AIA Northern Virginia Distinguished Leadership Award

Beyond his design contributions, Kevin is a passionate mentor, speaker, and community advocate. He actively leads workshops, lectures, and outreach initiatives aimed at diversifying the profession and expanding access to design education and leadership for underrepresented groups.

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs, and holds CSI’s CDT credential and LEED AP BD+C certification.

Legacy and Leadership
Through his leadership at OTJ Architects, Kevin G. Sneed continues to redefine the role of architecture as a vehicle for equity, access, and resilience. His work inspires the next generation to lead with integrity, imagination, and purpose.

DCNOMA proudly honors Kevin G. Sneed and OTJ Architects for their enduring contributions to design justice, mentorship, and the built environment. Together, they are not only shaping innovative spaces—but building legacy, community, and opportunity through architecture.