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RALPH CUNNINGHAM, FAIA
LEE QUILL, FAIA, CNU
SCOTT MATTIES, AIA, LEED-AP
CHRIS MORRISON, AIA, LEED-AP
MARIA CASARELLA, AIA
BENJAMIN AMES, AIA
JULIE PELLETIER, AIA



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Cunningham | Quill Architects PLLC creates architecture that recognizes the individuality of every project. When approaching a new design problem, instead of imposing a predetermined style we strive to discover the qualities unique to each specific project. This approach applies to projects of any scale from interior renovations to master plans for entire towns.

Our design process involves close examination of every aspect of a project. In order to build sensitively within a particular place, we study its natural features as thoroughly as the surrounding built environment. Also important to the spirit of a place are history, culture, and the people who make up the surrounding community. Cunningham | Quill has done extensive community outreach in order to create architecture that serves not only the client but everyone affected by the project. Because both partners are natives of the Washington area, their goal of enriching the local built environment is a personal commitment.

Known for our success in community consensus building and public participation, Cunningham | Quill's record of approvals on complex projects and master plans is unsurpassed. Working with the client, public officials, and the community, our design process is interactive, inclusive, and visually oriented. We focus on creative problem solving and the solicitation of input from the various stakeholders. This allows all included in the process to have their ideas and opinions fully aired and discussed. Through this process, a sense of community with the stakeholders evolves, assuring a greater understanding of the design and economic determinants of a project.

No less important to the process is close communication with the client. We work with each individual from the inception of an idea through construction. Our collaborative process allows the client and the architect to discover what the parameters of the project should be, and from there we work together to realize our common goal. The project is a synthesis of the client’s sensibilities and our design expertise.

Sometimes the most appropriate design involves an innovative, contemporary solution, while in other instances we adhere to traditional building precedents. Some of our designs transform their surroundings while others are seamless additions that reinforce the existing architecture or natural features. The common element in all our projects is excellence in design achieved through rigorous attention to detail. Whether we defer to context and history or break the mold with inventive designs, our ultimate goal is to create architecture that enhances its place.




RALPH CUNNINGHAM, FAIA holds a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University and a Bachelors Degree in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to founding Cunningham | Quill Architects PLLC, he was Principal of Cunningham Architects in Takoma Park, Senior Associate at Cass & Associates Architects in Washington, and an Architect with Beyer Blinder Belle Architects in New York. Mr. Cunningham retains an active interest in academics, and has been a visiting critic at Catholic University, Howard University, Ohio State University, and Columbia University. His projects have received numerous design awards, including, most recently, The Award of Excellence from the Washington Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, The AIA/ Washingtonian Residential Design Award, The "Best of the Year" Renaissance Award from the National Association of Home Builders, and the Custom Home Award from Custom Home Magazine.

rcunningham@cunninghamquill.com







LEE QUILL, FAIA, CNU holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Prior to founding Cunningham | Quill Architects, PLLC, he was an Associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Mr. Quill has extensive experience in community master planning, university planning, urban design, residential and mixed-use in-fill, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and institutional, university and commercial/corporate architecture. Recognized as a leader in design, he has lectured for national organizations including the National Building Museum, the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and the American Planning Association (APA). Most recently, he served as a juror for the EPA National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement and on numerous regional ULI Washington TAP planning panels. He has been heavily involved in shaping the future growth of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, developing policies with the DC Mayoral Task Force on Transit - Oriented Development and as an appointed member of the Metropolitan Development Policy Committee (COG). Mr. Quill’s projects have received numerous design awards including, Awards of Excellence, Honor and Merit in Design and Historic Resources from the AIA, a National 2007 Charter Award from the Congress for the New Urbanism, the DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation and the Pro Bono Publico Award from the Washington Architectural Foundation.

lquill@cunninghamquill.com







SCOTT MATTIES, AIA, LEED-AP joined Cunningham | Quill Architects as a Project Architect in early 1998. Taking a leadership role within the firm, Mr. Matties has served as Project Architect, Project Manager, Associate, Associate Principal, and/or Principal for in a wide range of award winning projects including the Potomac Yard Master Plan, Herndon Fortnightly Master Plan and Senior Center, Hunter's Park at Cherrydale Senior Apartments, 800 South Washington Street Apartments and the Chapin Street Lofts. Mr. Matties has extensive experience in architectural design and master planning for institutional, academic, and commercial projects. His career has encompassed all aspects of residential design including single-family additions, renovations and new homes, multi-family apartments and condominiums, both market rate and affordable, and mixed-use communities. Continuing his vested interest in the education of communities concerning architecture and planning, Mr. Matties has led numerous community meetings and presentations leading to approvals by jurisdictions throughout the metropolitan area. During his academic career, Mr. Matties earned a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan. While in the graduate program at the University of Michigan, Mr. Matties concentrated in urban design and town planning, studied a semester abroad at the Technical University in Vienna, Austria.

smatties@cunninghamquill.com







CHRIS MORRISON, AIA, LEED-AP joined Cunningham | Quill Architects as an Associate in 2000. Taking a leadership role within the firm, Mr. Morrison has served as Project Architect and Associate, Associate Principal, and/or Principal for Holman Hall Estate, Caton's Walk Mixed-Use Development, Mather Studios, The Monterey Condominium, 4600 Brandywine Condominium, The Alta Condominium and the Huntfield Master Plan. He has extensive experience in architectural design, historic preservation and master planning for institutional, residential, and commercial projects. He is an award winning architect having received an Award of Merit from the DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and a Merit Award from the GSA Design Excellence Program. Mr. Morrison continues to be committed to both the community process concerning architecture and the development of young architects through mentorship and visiting critic at the University of Maryland and Catholic University of America. Mr. Morrison holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics and Chemistry from St. Louis University. Prior to becoming a Principal in Cunningham | Quill Architects, he was an Associate at Shalom Baranes Associates and Project Architect at Skidmore Owings and Merrill Architects of Washington, DC.

cmorrison@cunninghamquill.com







MARIA CASARELLA, AIA has been with Cunningham | Quill since 1997 and brings 15 years of award-winning design experience to our clients. She has had a leadership role as Project Architect and/or Associate in diverse projects. A graduate of Columbia University and Catholic University, Ms. Casarella takes a context-based approach to architecture to create spaces customized to the needs of site and client. This organic design process results in places that bear the mark of the unique client rather than a predetermined architectural framework. Ms. Casarella has also been appointed by Washington, DC Mayor, Adrian Fenty to the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Review Board.

mcasarella@cunninghamquill.com







BENJAMIN AMES, AIA joined Cunningham | Quill in 2011 as an Associate and brings over twenty years of award-winning design experience to our clients. Formerly the Principal of Amestudio, Mr. Ames has designed numerous projects in North America and Europe. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Georgia Tech and his Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland. His work examines the relationship of architecture to the natural and urban environment. He is committed to a rigorous process that promotes, guides, and creates exceptional design. His work has received recognition from AIA design awards, competition prizes, and nationally published features.

bames@cunninghamquill.com







JULIE PELLETIER, AIA originally joined Cunningham | Quill Architects as a Project Designer in 2002. As an Associate with the firm, Ms. Pelletier has more than ten years of experience in all phases of architectural design. Ms. Pelletier’s award-winning work crosses all typologies from single-family home renovations to transit-oriented master plans. Prior to pursuing architecture, she spent 13 years as an illustrator and graphic designer. With these skills, she constantly explores and clarifies the design process to clients and peers with various methods of graphic communication. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Carnegie-Mellon University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Maryland.

jpelletier@cunninghamquill.com