About
Winstanley Architects & Planners is a design studio specializing in projects of distinction that stand out for their design excellence, cultural relevance, and environmental responsibility. As innovators in design and technical execution, we pride ourselves on transforming our client’s ambitious visions into reality. Our work is frequently celebrated by peers and recognized through design awards, reflecting our commitment to excellence. With a deep understanding of the complexities of the built environment, we know how to get buildings constructed and master plans approved, ensuring success at every stage of the process.
Founded in 2004 by architect and planner Michael Winstanley AIA AICP, our firm champions a generalist approach, leveraging the cross-pollination of building typologies and construction techniques to deliver exceptional design in today’s fast-evolving environment.
Our portfolio spans academic, hospitality, workplace, residential, and public/civic projects, reflecting the breadth of our capabilities.
Our multidisciplinary approach—encompassing architecture, planning, and interior design—ensures that clients benefit from a fully integrated and cohesive design process. By uniting these three disciplines, we deliver results that are not only aesthetically compelling but also deeply functional, contextually appropriate, and sustainable. The diversity of our practice translates directly into richer, more effective solutions for our clients, who benefit from the breadth and depth of our experience.
Washington, D.C. Design Workshop
Our Washington, D.C. workshop is the cornerstone of Winstanley Architects & Planners, where our practice first began and our collaborative, cross-disciplinary design process was refined. Located in the historic Old Town neighborhood, this studio exemplifies our commitment to creating projects that respect and reflect the rich cultural and historical context of their surroundings.
Specializing in academic design, campus planning, and mixed-use urban infill within historic environments, this workshop integrates a deep understanding of placemaking with the unique cultural and architectural character of each site. Our work in nationally recognized historic districts such as Alexandria, VA, and Georgetown, DC, demonstrates our ability to design for the past, present, and future, blending contemporary needs with historical preservation.
Miami Design Workshop
With a growing portfolio in hospitality and a commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change, Miami became a natural choice for the next chapter in our journey. Perfectly positioned at the crossroads of innovation and necessity, Winstanley’s Wynwood workshop is shaping the future of Miami’s thriving urban landscape while contributing meaningfully to the global conversation on sustainable and climate-conscious design
This studio specializes in creating hospitality-focused designs that respond thoughtfully to coastal environments, balancing luxury and functionality with sustainability and resilience. In tackling the critical challenges posed by climate change, our Miami team develops forward-thinking solutions that address rising sea levels, extreme weather, and long-term environmental impacts.
Michael Winstanley
Principal
mrw@winstanleyarchitects.com
Leejung Hong
Principal
ljh@winstanleyarchitects.com
Mike Balaban
Managing Principal
msb@winstanleyarchitects.com
George Eisenberger
Principal
gre@winstanleyarchitects.com
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At Winstanley Architects & Planners, we are industry leaders in resilient design, specializing in architecture and planning that proactively addresses climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather events. Our expertise is rooted in developing innovative, future-proof solutions that not only mitigate environmental risks but also enhance the long-term viability of urban areas. With extensive experience in South Florida and the Caribbean, our work is highly regarded and has been recognized for its commitment to designing structures capable of withstanding Category 5 hurricanes, coastal flooding, and rising sea levels 🌊
One such project, Ponce Paradise, exemplifies our forward-thinking approach to resilient urban development. Designed as a mixed-use coastal community 🌴, the project integrates four key elements - a Town Center with a University Medical Center, a Wellness Community, a Hotel Lagoon & Recreation Area, and a Farm-to-Table Agricultural Micro-Grid - all strategically connected by a newly carved canal linking the ocean to inland waterways. Recognizing the region’s susceptibility to flooding, the design incorporates two diaphragmatic basins (lagoons) that act as dynamic flood management systems, absorbing and releasing water to prevent storm surges and extreme tide impacts. Additionally, the site’s topography is elevated using excavated materials, reinforcing land stability and reducing vulnerability to sea level rise.
#ResilientDesign #ClimateAdaptation #PonceParadise #FloodResilience #WaterfrontArchitecture
Jan 13
Throwback to 2015 and our award-winning work for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY
The master plan of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary included the expansion and relocation of Boyce College, the seminary’s undergraduate feeder program, into the main fabric of the Seminary’s main campus designed by James Gamble Rogers. The principal thrust of the relocation was the renovation of the Mullins Complex to create a “Residential College” nested in the predominantly Graduate-level Seminary, housing 350 residents, the Boyce College Administration and faculty.
The historic importance of Mullins Hall is founded in the lineage of this building in the career of James Gamble Rogers.
Winstanley was recognized locally and nationally for this work, receiving:
⭐️Educational Interiors Showcase Special Citation, American School & University Magazine
⭐️Architectural Portfolio Residence Hall Citation, American School & University Magazine
⭐️Merit Award, The Kentucky Society of Architects
⭐️Award of Excellence, @aianorthernvirginia
Want to join our firm and drive our academic planning and design portfolio forward? Learn more about how to apply for the role of Senior Architect / Academic Lead at the link in our bio.
📸 @studiosmarcotte
#academicarchitecture #campusplanning #architecture #awardwinning #tbt
Jan 8
JOIN OUR TEAM! Winstanley Architects & Planners is looking for a Senior Architect with extensive experience in the Academic sector to join our practice, working out of our Washington studio (in Old Town Alexandria). This position will lead Winstanley’s efforts to secure and execute master planning and architectural engagements for private K-12 and higher education academic campuses across the United States.
The position requires a strong technical background in design and production, experience as a project team leader and client relationship manager, and demonstrated aptitude and motivation in business development.
Learn more at the link in our bio.
#architecturejobs #seniorarchitect #academicarchitecture #academicplanning #campusplanning
Jan 7
Sharing some of our favorite sites from across Old Town Alexandria who are bringing the holiday spirit to life ✨🎄 Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy Belated Hanukkah!
Pictured:
@olddominionboatclub
@thecoopermill
@pippintoyco
@winstanleyarchitects
#oldtownalexandria #alexandriava
Dec 24
Yesterday, Leejung Hong joined our partners at Moseley Designs, Community Housing Partners, Innova, and Harkins Builders to celebrate the Topping Out of Witter Place - a 94-unit affordable housing project along Duke Street in Alexandria, VA. Congratulations to each of these hardworking teams on reaching this major milestone!
Dec 5
Four (again). Eight reasons to celebrate. 🏆
This year has been one for the books - and it’s not over yet. For the second time in 2025, we walked away with four AIA Design Awards in one night, this time from the AIA Potomac Valley Chapter. Earlier this year, we celebrated four wins from AIA Northern Virginia, bringing our total to nine AIA awards (yes, nine!).
Each project tells a different story - of history reimagined, communities connected, and places brought back to life through design.
🏙️ The Braystone - Award of Merit (Multifamily)
A once-industrial building transformed through thoughtful adaptive reuse. Steel and brick meet modern extensions, honoring the past while creating a home for what’s next.
🎨 Torpedo Factory Arts Center —-Award of Merit (Unbuilt Architecture)
A bold re-envisioning of a waterfront landmark. By carving light deep into the heart of the building, the design turns a familiar structure into a vibrant, connected social hub for art and community.
🌳 Hillandale Pavilion - Award of Merit (Small Projects)
A simple, open-air pavilion that invites everyday gathering - picnics, play, conversation - giving a community a stage to belong.
🏘️ Rosewood Townhouses - Commendation (Commercial)
A quiet transformation in Georgetown. Behind preserved historic facades, new life emerges - proof that modern living and timeless character can coexist beautifully.
From concept to completion (and in one case, still on the drawing board), these projects share a common thread: design that respects its context and enriches its community.
We’re honored by the recognition - and even more inspired to keep creating spaces that tell meaningful stories.
#WinstanleyArchitects #WinstanleyArchitectsAndPlanners #WinstanleyDesign #DCDesign #AIAAwards #ArchitectureDesign #AdaptiveReuse #DesignExcellence #AIApotomacValley #AIA2025 #AwardWinningDesign #CommunityThroughDesign
Oct 28
