A Thoughtful Approach to Design
Founded in 1991 by David Miles, The Drawing Board was built on a commitment to thoughtful design and enduring client relationships. Today, the firm is led by his son, Peter Miles, alongside partners Joey Barrick and Filipe Silva. Together, they carry forward the company’s legacy while continuing to evolve its vision—blending experience, collaboration, and technical expertise to shape architecture that stands the test of time.
Joey Barrick
Joey is an architect with over a decade of experience in Washington, DC, working across a diverse range of project types including multifamily residential, corporate retail, and high-end custom homes. His work has been recognized in both local and international design competitions in places such as Brooklyn, Zenica, and Kyiv.
He earned his Master of Architecture from The Catholic University of America and brings a curiosity-driven approach to design—one that is rooted in how people experience the spaces they inhabit. Joey focuses on creating architecture that extends beyond function, thoughtfully balancing form and purpose to shape environments that feel intentional, engaging, and enduring.
His creative interests extend well beyond architecture and include interior design, fashion, graphic design, furniture, and industrial design. This broad design perspective informs both his professional work and personal projects. Outside of the studio, he has been teaching himself how to sew and enjoys vintage shopping, particularly for the recent renovation of his home. He also enjoys traveling, exploring new places and design influences along the way.
Peter Miles
Peter is a design-driven architect whose work is grounded in narrative, place, and a practical understanding of how spaces are built and experienced. He earned his Master of Architecture from The Catholic University of America and has been immersed in the family business since his school years, developing a hands-on approach shaped by close collaboration with both clients and builders.
His experience spans Annapolis, Washington, DC, and the surrounding region, giving him a strong command of local context and client needs. This foundation informs a process that is both thoughtful and grounded, balancing design intent with real-world execution.
His work has been recognized in several international design competitions, including a memorial for Babyn Yar in Kyiv, Ukraine—an achievement that led to additional memorial projects throughout the country. This body of work reflects a sensitivity to storytelling through architecture, combined with technical rigor and attention to detail.
Peter is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Outside of architecture, he maintains an active lifestyle and enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and training for marathon and triathlon competitions.
Filipe Silva
Filipe Silva is an architect and planner whose work is shaped by a dual cultural perspective—born in Brazil and raised in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This bicultural foundation, combined with early exposure to the construction industry through his family, fostered a lifelong connection to the built environment and a deep understanding of how architecture shapes everyday life across different contexts.
He holds dual master’s degrees from The Catholic University of America in Architecture and City and Regional Planning. His graduate thesis explored how immigrant communities can influence local architecture and, in turn, shape the lives of the people who experience it. This work continues to inform his broader design philosophy and approach today.
Filipe brings a balance of technical understanding and creative vision to each project, combining design sensitivity with a strong awareness of construction and execution. He believes great architecture should be deeply personal, highly functional, beautiful, and capable of genuinely improving the way people live.
Outside of architecture, Filipe has a wide range of interests and is known for his sense of humor and easygoing personality. He enjoys traveling, social time with friends, and can often be found at a local pub with a cold beer in hand.
Design Approach
Our process is thoughtful, collaborative, and deeply rooted in understanding how you live—guiding each project from initial concept to a fully realized home that feels both intentional and uniquely yours.
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Every project begins with listening. We take the time to understand how you live, what inspires you, and the goals you have for your home—both aesthetically and functionally. From these conversations, we establish a clear conceptual framework that guides the project’s direction, exploring big-picture ideas around form, flow, and spatial experience. This early phase sets the foundation for a design that is both personal and intentional.
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Building on the initial vision, we translate ideas into defined architectural schemes. Through thoughtful space planning, preliminary layouts, and early studies of scale and proportion, we begin to organize how the home will function and feel. Key relationships between spaces are established, and initial material direction is introduced, allowing the overall design to take shape in a cohesive and tangible way.
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With a clear direction in place, the design is developed in greater detail and coordination. Architectural elements are further resolved, and decisions around materials, systems, and key details are advanced to ensure alignment between design intent and constructability. We work closely with consultants, builders, and design partners to refine and coordinate all aspects of the project, creating a well-integrated and thoroughly considered design.
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In the final phase, the design is translated into a comprehensive set of detailed drawings and specifications that communicate the project clearly for permitting, pricing, and construction. We coordinate across all disciplines to ensure accuracy and completeness, while remaining actively engaged throughout the construction process. By supporting the team, answering questions, and maintaining oversight, we help ensure the project is executed with precision and in alignment with the original vision.
Chevy Chase Kitchen Update
The client’s previously described “ugliest kitchen in the world” has been completely transformed into a bright, welcoming space that encourages gathering and conversation. By introducing abundant natural light, carefully considered proportions, and classic architectural details, the kitchen now reads as a timeless, elegant extension of the home. Large windows enhance the connection to the outdoors, while the refined design complements the neoclassical style of the rest of the house, creating a harmonious and inviting environment where people truly want to spend time.
Let’s Work Together
We are interested in learning more about your project. Please complete this form and we’ll be in touch!