• Modern open-concept kitchen and dining area with large windows letting in natural light, black lower cabinets in the kitchen, white marble countertops by Cacao Studio. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia
  • Modern interior of a cafe or restaurant with wooden accents, a large TV screen, a white dining table with chairs, and a staircase leading to an upper level. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia
  • Modern house with a large glass porch, white walls, and outdoor furniture, surrounded by green grass and trees under a blue sky. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia
  • Modern interior of a conference room with a beige upholstered wall panel, decorative golden pendant lights, a small table with chairs, and a glass wall featuring illuminated world map and globe designs. By Cacao Studio Design Lab
  • Modern two-story white house with large windows, balconies, surrounded by greenery, during early evening. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia
  • Open-concept modern living space with a dining area, kitchen w/ large windows bringing in natural light. The dining table is decorated with flowers, and the kitchen features black cabinets, a marble island, and bar stools. By Cacao Studio Design Lab
  • Modern white house with large windows illuminated at dusk, surrounded by trees and a landscaped yard with a small pond and outdoor seating. By Cacao Studio Design Build
  • Modern kitchen with wooden and white cabinets, pendant lights, and a kitchen island with wooden chairs. By Cacao Studio Design Lab
  • Modern apartment building entrance with large glass windows, wooden accents, and an interior lobby visible, featuring mailboxes, stairs, and seating. A sign on the window advertises move-in availability. By Cacao Studio Design Lab
  • Interior of a modern office or conference room with a world map illuminated on the glass wall. By Cacao Studio Design Lab
  • Modern multi-story apartment building with glass windows and orange accents, situated on a city street with pedestrians and parked cars.

WE ARE ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS & PLACE-MAKERS

Primarily serving DC, MD & VA

We strive for exceptional design, crafted spaces, and seamless execution. We believe great design has the power to inspire, foster connection, and transform lives. We create intentional spaces that shape how we live, work, and thrive — because in the right environment, people will do remarkable things.

Logo for 'Design & Build + LARK by CACAO' with stylized text and graphic design elements.

  • Design BUILD integrates thoughtful design with expert construction. We believe clients, architects, and builders must work as one unified team. With our trusted builders we deliver seamless, coordinated projects.

    With deep technical expertise and advanced building science, we bridge concept and reality—ensuring precision, efficiency, and exceptional quality from start to finish.

  • Modern meeting room with a light wooden wall featuring a backlit world map, a wall-mounted TV displaying aurora borealis. Large windows show outdoor greenery. By Cacao Studio Design Lab

    Design LAB is our exploratory research arm dedicated to experimentation, innovation, and continuous learning.

    We collaborate with artists, engineers, and visionary thinkers to challenge conventions, explore emerging ideas, and continually evolve our approach to design.

OUR PRINCIPLES

BUILT WITH PURPOSE - We believe every detail matters. From the first sketch to the final finish, we design spaces that are made to endure, evolve, and support the lives within them.

DESIGN AS RESEARCH - Curiosity fuels our work. Through our Design Lab, we explore materials, systems, and forms to shape spaces that respond to people, place, and possibility.

GROUNDED IN CONTEXT - We listen to land, light, and story. Each project reflects its environment and honors the relationships it holds; physical, emotional, and ecological.

COLLABORATIVE BY NATURE - Great design is never isolated. We build with partners, clients, and makers who share our values. Dialogue, trust, and respect shape the way we work.

HUMAN AT THE CORE - We design for daily life. Our spaces should spark emotion and movement.  Our work invites curiosity, joy, and the freedom to explore.

FEATURED WORK

FEATURED WORK

MEET THE TEAM

  • A smiling middle-aged man with short dark hair, a beard, wearing a light blue collared shirt, standing outdoors in front of blurred green trees.

    Joe Harris, AIA, LEED AP

    PRINCIPAL / FOUNDER

  • Andy Jaime, RA. LEAD ARCHITECT at Cacao Studio. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

    Andy Jaime, RA

    LEAD ARCHITECT

  • Emily Andrade. DESIGNER at Cacao Studio. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

    Emily Andrade

    DESIGNER

  • Heather Jauregui, AIA, LEED AP. SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT at Cacao Studio. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

    Heather Jauregui, AIA, LEED AP

    SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT

  • David Guerrero. LEAD DESIGNER at Cacao Studio. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

    David Guerrero

    LEAD DESIGNER

  • Catalina Mantilla. PROJECT COORDINATOR at Cacao Studio. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

    Catalina Mantilla

    PROJECT COORDINATOR

  • Carlos Guerra. TECHNICAL SPECIALIST at Cacao Studio. Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

    Carlos Guerra

    TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

  • JoseMi Jauregui, Co-Founder | Designer | Director of Creative Practice at Cacao Studio . Primarily serving Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia

    JoseMi Jauregui

    PRINCIPAL / FOUNDER

Cacao Studio logo
Illustration showing a cacao pod on a tree, a cut-open cacao pod revealing beans. Part of Cacao Studio.