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Independent Consultancy · Bethesda, Maryland

Interior architecture for places where precision matters.

Twenty-eight years designing the interiors of U.S. embassies, biomedical research laboratories, academic centers, and corporate headquarters — from programming through construction documents, with a hand-drawn sketch never far away.

IIDA LEED AP NCIDQ #013386 Licensed DC & MD TS Clearance
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Hand-drawn reception area rendering by Barbara D. Currie for the American Academy of Physician Assistants headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia — an example of her conceptual sketch work used in client design presentations.
AAPA Headquarters Conceptual rendering · Alexandria, VA

Areas of practice.

A consulting practice rooted in three decades of integrated design leadership — from diplomatic compounds on foreign soil to research laboratories on the leading edge of biomedical science.

i.

Diplomatic & Embassy Interiors

Specialist in the interior architecture of U.S. Embassies and diplomatic compounds for the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO). Sensitive to history, cultural context, security requirements, and environmental factors.

ii.

Biomedical & Research Laboratories

Lead Interior Designer for high-profile research facilities at the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins, University of Pittsburgh, University of Maryland, and Children’s National Medical Center — including LEED Gold and LEED Platinum-slated projects.

iii.

Higher Education & Academic

Design leadership on classroom buildings, libraries, faculty offices, lecture halls, and specialized academic facilities for Towson University, University of Connecticut, University of Maryland CARB II, and Tidewater Community College.

iv.

Corporate Commercial Fit-Outs

Full-scope corporate interiors for trade associations, financial institutions, nonprofits, law firms, and professional services across the Washington metropolitan region — including AAPA, American Chemistry Council, Widmeyer Communications, and Deloitte Consulting.

v.

Workplace Strategy & Programming

Focus-collaborate-learn-socialize space planning frameworks. Hoteling concepts. Activity-based working. Programming and space planning that translates business strategy into spatial outcomes.

vi.

Luxury Residential & Hospitality

Multi-unit high-rise condominiums, penthouse units, lobbies and amenity spaces, and senior living communities. Currently informs ongoing work on amenity spaces for waterfront luxury condominium developments.

A Profile

A career built on integrated design — and the discipline to deliver it.

“I can enter a project at any time and at any level. At client meetings I sketch on paper to clarify design details and gain consensus — visualization at the speed of conversation.”

Barbara D. Currie, IIDA, LEED AP, is an independent interior design consultant based in Bethesda, Maryland. Recently retired as Senior Interior Designer at KCCT in Washington, D.C., she now offers consulting services to architecture firms, owners, developers, and federal agencies who need senior-level design judgment without the overhead of a full studio.

Across twenty-eight years, Barbara has been the design lead on interior architecture for U.S. Embassy compounds, LEED-rated biomedical research laboratories, academic centers, corporate headquarters, and luxury residential developments. She is uniquely fluent in the technical complexity of diplomatic installations, the regulatory specificity of laboratory environments, and the brand expression required of corporate fit-outs — and she moves between them on the same project week.

Her practice combines deep technical command of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Revit with the now-unusual ability to hand-draw full three-dimensional spaces and detailed renderings of custom furniture in real time. She has served as Senior Associate and Design Director at STANTEC (formerly Burt Hill), Design Director at FOX Architects, Senior Interior Designer at LSY Architects, and Senior Interior Designer at KCCT — the last of which she retired from to launch this independent consultancy.

Barbara is a Top Secret-cleared, NCIDQ-certified interior designer, licensed in both the District of Columbia and Maryland, and an active member of IIDA, ASID, and the U.S. Green Building Council community. She speaks English, French (fluent), and Italian (native).

Selected work.

A representative cross-section: diplomatic, biomedical, academic, corporate, and residential. Click any image to learn more about Barbara’s role on the project.

Pediatric translational research laboratory rendering for the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC — a LEED-Gold-slated 21,157 square foot facility designed by Barbara D. Currie.
Biomedical · LEED Gold

Sheikh Zayed Institute

Children’s National Medical Center · Washington, DC
Senior Interior Designer for this 21,157 sf, $9.5M innovative pediatric pain clinic powered by translational research labs.
American Chemistry Council headquarters lobby interior in Washington DC featuring large-scale photographic glass wall and integrated brand graphics — 92,000 square foot fit-out by Barbara D. Currie.
Corporate · HQ Fit-Out

American Chemistry Council

92,000 sf Headquarters · Washington, DC
Complete buildout including iconic visual storytelling that reinforced ACC’s core message of chemistry in everyday life.
Robinson Landing pet spa interior in Old Town Alexandria Virginia — a luxury amenity space featuring custom dog mural artwork on a geometric striped accent wall, stainless steel grooming station, and tile feature walls designed by Barbara D. Currie.
Amenity · Pet Spa

Pet Spa

Robinson Landing · Alexandria, VA
Resident pet wash and grooming amenity — custom dog mural artwork against a geometric tile feature wall.
Robinson Landing fitness center interior with mirrored studio wall, premium cardio equipment, custom decorative metal screen, and dark hardwood flooring — resident amenity space in Old Town Alexandria Virginia by Barbara D. Currie.
Amenity · Fitness

Fitness Center

Robinson Landing · Alexandria, VA
Resident fitness amenity combining mirrored studio, cardio bank, and yoga mat zone with curated material palette.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health North Wing laboratory renovation rendering — LEED Platinum-slated modernization of six floors of laboratories designed by Barbara D. Currie.
Research · LEED Platinum

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg

School of Public Health, North Wing
Senior Interior Designer for LEED Platinum-slated modernization of six floors of laboratories with HVAC and infrastructure upgrades.
Conference center rendering for the American Academy of Physician Assistants headquarters in Alexandria Virginia — LEED-Certified 31,000 square foot fit-out by Barbara D. Currie.
Association · LEED Certified

AAPA Headquarters

31,000 sf · Alexandria, VA
LEED-Certified office fit-out for the American Academy of Physician Assistants, including conferencing center, media and teleconferencing areas.
Collaboration area rendering for the Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower at University of Pittsburgh — LEED Gold-slated 44,525 square foot laboratory and office renovation by Barbara D. Currie.
Research · LEED Gold

Thomas E. Starzl Tower

University of Pittsburgh · Pennsylvania
Senior Interior Designer on 44,525 sf LEED Gold-slated renovation creating modern, flexible laboratory and office space.
Widmeyer Communications office reception lobby in Washington DC featuring polished travertine flooring, wood paneling, and glass partitions — 16,000 square foot Class-A office fit-out by Barbara D. Currie.
Corporate · PR Agency

Widmeyer Communications

16,000 sf · Washington, DC
A relocation that unified, connected, and elevated the staff experience in a Class-A building.
Executive board room hand-drawn rendering by Barbara D. Currie showing custom millwork conference table and Aeron chair seating with integrated A/V.
Executive · Boardroom

Executive Boardroom

Conceptual Sketch · AAPA
Hand-drawn rendering technique used to clarify design intent and gain consensus during client presentations.
Destination pantry and breakroom interior design at AAPA Alexandria VA — office amenity space with integrated café and lounge seating by Barbara D. Currie.
Amenity · Hospitality

Destination Pantry

Workplace Hospitality
Pre-construction sketch alongside completed photography — amenity space designed to draw teams out of their workstations.
Contemporary residential unit interior design at 1000 Park Avenue in Buckhead Atlanta Georgia — high-rise luxury condominium kitchen and dining by Barbara D. Currie.
Residential · Luxury

1000 Park Avenue

Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
Contemporary and traditional unit typologies for a luxury high-rise tower — intimate sky gardens within urban context.
Hand-drawn reception area rendering for AAPA headquarters in Alexandria VA showing a custom curved reception desk, branded signage wall, and lounge area — conceptual sketch by Barbara D. Currie.
Sketch · Reception

Reception Concept

AAPA · Hand Rendering
Real-time sketch produced in client design meetings to test branding, materials, and circulation.

Additional projects include U.S. Embassies in Port Moresby and Mbabane, the NIH Building 10 FAES Student Faculty Academic Center, Towson University College of Liberal Arts, University of Connecticut Information Technology Building, Tidewater Community College Portsmouth Campus, Deloitte Consulting’s hoteling-concept headquarters, Titan Corporation, WTOP Broadcast Offices, and additional Robinson Landing amenities including incubator art gallery, residential clubroom, screening room, and rooftop terrace.

A career, in five chapters.

Senior design leadership at four of the Washington metropolitan region’s respected architecture and interior design practices, plus eight formative years in Montréal.

2011–2024
Washington, DC

KCCT

Senior Interior Designer

Design lead for interior architecture on significant properties worldwide, including extensive U.S. Embassy installations for the Department of State, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO). Combined deep program knowledge of diplomatic facilities with BIM technical fluency to drive rapid space planning and integrated design problem-solving. Also responsible for corporate commercial projects in the Washington metro region and ongoing interior architecture for the public areas and amenities of Robinson Landing waterfront luxury condominiums in Old Town Alexandria.

2010–2011
Silver Spring, MD

LSY Architects

Senior Interior Designer

Lead Interior Designer for high-profile biomedical research projects at the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Maryland, and Children’s National Medical Center. Responsible for design quality review, improvement, and the mentoring of junior staff.

2008–2009
McLean, VA

FOX Architects

Design Director

Led the interiors studio — RFP response, business development, vendor and consultant network, sample library, professional development, and design quality assurance. Authored the 2009 FOX Design Quality Control Guidelines, including Ten Design Fundamentals for Evaluation of Design and Project Delivery Standards for the interiors studio.

1997–2008
Washington, DC

STANTEC (formerly Burt Hill)

Senior Associate · Design Director

Eleven years nurturing a studio of seven designers across a global firm with eight offices. Lead Project Interior Designer on corporate commercial work for legal, financial institution, nonprofit, and professional association clients; design leadership on higher education and research laboratory projects including Towson University Liberal Arts Learning Center, University of Maryland Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (CARB II), and University of Connecticut Information Technology Building. Multi-unit luxury high-rise condominiums and senior living. Represented the Washington DC office on Corporate Design Strategy and Standards committees.

1991–1997
Montréal, Canada

INNOVA Design · MOUREAUX-HAUSPY Design

Interior Designer

Formative practice years in Québec across two respected Montréal studios, building the technical and conceptual foundation for a transcontinental career.

Technical capabilities.

A senior designer who can step into any phase, at any level, and produce.

i.

BIM & Revit Fluency

Real-time presentation of issues and solutions in integrated design environments. Rapid plan iteration and alternatives testing.

ii.

AutoCAD & CAD Production

Construction documents, drawing standards, detail libraries. Decades of production discipline.

iii.

Hand Rendering & Sketch

Three-dimensional renderings and custom furniture sketches generated in real time during client meetings to clarify intent and accelerate consensus.

iv.

Programming & Space Planning

Focus, collaborate, learn, and socialize frameworks. Workplace strategy. Programming as a design discipline.

v.

FF&E Specification

Selection and specification of finishes, furnishings, equipment, and custom millwork. Sample library maintenance and vendor relationships.

vi.

Design Quality Control

Quality review at each project phase. Authored design fundamentals and project delivery standards. Mentor to junior designers.

vii.

LEED & Sustainability

LEED AP credentialed. Project experience spans LEED Certified, Gold, and Platinum slated certifications.

viii.

Adobe Suite & InDesign

InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator for presentations, sample boards, and design narrative. Microsoft suite for proposals and reports.

Service area & specialties

Barbara D. Currie provides independent interior design consulting services from her studio in Bethesda, Maryland (Montgomery County), serving clients throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan region — including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Kensington, North Bethesda, Cabin John, Glen Echo, McLean, Vienna, Tysons, Arlington, Alexandria, and the District of Columbia — and is available for federal-agency and architecture-firm engagements nationwide and internationally. Practice areas include U.S. Embassy and diplomatic interior architecture, biomedical research laboratory design, academic and higher education interiors, healthcare and pediatric medical facility design, corporate commercial fit-outs and headquarters relocations, law firm and professional association interiors, luxury high-rise residential and condominium amenity design, senior living, hospitality, broadcast and media offices, workplace strategy consulting, programming, space planning, design quality control review, BIM/Revit modeling, AutoCAD production, FF&E specification, sustainable LEED-rated design (Certified, Gold, and Platinum), hand-drawn conceptual renderings and custom furniture sketches, and design studio mentorship. Past institutional clients reached through her prior firms include the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Maryland, Children’s National Medical Center, Towson University, University of Connecticut, Tidewater Community College, the American Chemistry Council, the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Deloitte Consulting, Widmeyer Communications, Titan Corporation, and WTOP. Credentials include IIDA membership (Washington DC Chapter), LEED Accredited Professional, NCIDQ Certification #013386, ASID membership, Top Secret security clearance, and Licensed Interior Designer in both the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland. Languages: English, French (fluent), Italian (native speaker).

Available for Consulting Engagements

Let’s talk about your project.

Whether you need a senior interior designer to lead a critical phase, peer-review a complex laboratory or embassy package, mentor your studio, or develop programming and conceptual design for a new project — Barbara welcomes the conversation.

Engagements considered: peer review · programming · conceptual design · design lead retainer · mentor · pre-RFP consulting · design quality control.

Studio
6509 Landon Lane
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Telephone
301 · 412 · 1420
Email
barbara.currie@gmail.com
Service Area
Washington, DC · Maryland · Virginia · National · International