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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The Winstanley Architects & Planners team enjoyed a delicious lunch at @cutdc at the @rosewoodwashingtondc - a great way to celebrate our hard work onsite over the years!
The main hotel property includes 48 rooms along with premium dining and lounge facilities, and is located on one of the most desirable sites in Georgetown. Winstanley Architects & Planners also led the adaptive reuse of 14 historic townhouses adjacent to the hotel, now part of the hotel’s room offerings.
Don’t miss an opportunity to stay at the Rosewood Washington DC if you’re visiting, or swing by CUT D.C. by Wolfgang Puck for lunch, dinner, or an evening drink on the rooftop. 🥂
#GeorgetownRestaurants #GeorgetownDC #WashingtonDC #DCArchitecture #AdaptiveReuse
Jun 29
The Braystone has earned Third Award in this year’s Rethinking the Future Awards ⭐️
We are proud to have this project recognized alongside other leading designs from around the globe. Congratulations to our dedicated team and partners for the well-deserved honor!
📍The Braystone
1300 King Street
Alexandria, VA
@holladayproperties
📸 @anice_hoachlander
#AlexandriaArchitecture #OldTownAlexandria #ArchitecturePhoto #Tracery #ArchitecturalDesign
Jun 26
A moment for the completed murals at our Witter Place project in Alexandria 🌸🌿🌼
Located at 2712 Duke Street, Witter Place is bringing 94 units of affordable housing to Old Town in the midst of revitalization efforts along the Duke Street corridor.
Murals by @yuliaart.murals
Follow for more updates on this project!
#DukeStreetCorridor #DukeStreetInMotion #AlexandriaVA #AffordableHousing #PublicArt
Jun 20
The Mansly is a mixed-use adaptive reuse and infill project located on the 600 block of King Street in the historic core of Old Town, Alexandria.
The project consolidates and repositions two underutilized properties—formerly occupied by retail and financial institutions—into a single, cohesive building that reinforces the character, scale, and continuity of one of Old Town’s most prominent commercial corridors.
The development combines the renovation of existing historic structures with new construction carefully integrated behind and above the retained street-facing fabric. This approach allows the project to preserve the established rhythm of King Street while accommodating a contemporary residential program that would not otherwise be possible.
The resulting composition balances preservation with strategic intervention, using massing, setbacks, and material transitions to mediate between old and new.
We are excited for how this project contributes to the great work being done across the City @alexandriavagov
Stay tuned for more updates on this project!
#ProgressPhotos #OldTownAlexandria #AlexandriaVA #AdaptiveReuse @visitalexva
Jun 1
Byrnes, Hayden, and Henle Halls reimagine Georgetown University’s northern campus, integrating student housing, wellness, and collaborative learning spaces into a unified architectural framework.
Completed in August 2025, the project more than doubles the capacity of the previous dormitory complex while redefining the role of residential life within the university’s campus plan.
Rather than relying on conventional dormitory corridors, the design organizes student housing around a network of shared interior and exterior spaces that foster informal learning and social interaction. These communal environments include a sunken living room, distributed study lounges, recreational spaces, and integrated health education services. Together, these spaces create a residential environment that supports both academic success and student wellbeing.
This project establishes a new model for campus living—one that reflects evolving expectations for student life while reinforcing Georgetown’s historic campus identity.
#CampusHousing #AcademicArchitecture #StudentLife #CampusDesign #Architecture
May 14
A few weeks ago, friends and partners came together to welcome Winstanley Architects & Planners to our new home on King Street in Old Town Alexandria.
Our Forecourt offers the perfect space to celebrate the spring and summer weather. Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to connect with our team and the broader architecture community.
#OldTownArchitecture #OldTownAlexandria #HospitalityArchitecture #HistoricPreservation #ArchitectureAndDesign
May 11
