Robin McGrew brings over 20 years of experience in residential, institutional design and historic preservation in the DC metro area. Ms. McGrew began her career working in historic preservation in the Curator’s Office of the US Treasury Department. Her architectural practice has continued to involve preservation and adaptive reuse of existing structures and has expanded to emphasize resource and energy efficiency. Ms. McGrew believes that an understanding of traditional building forms and site orientation is critical to the success of new projects that necessarily incorporate technological advances to create dynamic, enduring buildings and places. Site context and the specific needs of the client drive her design which is always based on a strong commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

 

Ms. McGrew is a Certified Passive House Consultant and has recently completed a net zero energy house for herself and her family in Washington DC. She is a part of the DC area Net Zero Energy Coalition working to advance the development of net zero and net positive energy buildings in the region. Ms. McGrew is a board member of the Friends Non-Profit Housing Corporation which owns and manages an 84-unit apartment complex in Silver Spring, MD that provides affordable housing to working families. She is also on the Administrative Committee of the Mediterranean Garden Society, an international organization promoting water-wise and climate adapted landscapes. Ms. McGrew is a LEED Accredited Professional, a Green Roof Professional and a member of the DC Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Ms. McGrew received her BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University and her Masters in Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.