Spaces That Work—For You

For twenty-five years, RBA Architects has brought visionary design to Hampton Roads and beyond. Every project starts with listening—and ends with architecture that transforms lives.

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OUR STORY

2001 - 2026

25 Years of
Excellence

From a home office to Hampton Roads' leading architectural firm, our journey has been defined by passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Over 2 decades of designing spaces that transform communities.

OUR STORY

25

Years of Excellence

100+

Awards Earned

500+

Projects Completed

5

Sectors Served

WHAT WE DO

Designing What Matters Most

Select the project type that fits your needs—and see how our tailored design approach brings it to life.

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RELIGIOUS CLIENTS

MULTI-FAMILY/MIXED USE CLIENTS

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STORAGE BUILDING CLIENTS

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TESTIMONIALS

What Our Clients Say

"I have worked with Tom on multiple design build projects for the federal government. He is always clear, to the point, and on top of the job."

Mr. Vincent Bataoel

"Tom and his organization was a pleasure to work with. We had an unfortunate experience before working with Tom - and he was wonderful by contrast and otherwise."

Mr. Douglas Cronkright

"I have worked closely with Tom/RBA for over 10 years and find him to be one of the most honest, straight-forward, hardworking, and talented Architects that I have known."

Mr. Roland E. McPherson

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Whether it's a custom home, commercial building, or mixed-use development —let's bring your vision to life.

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Considering a commercial building project? The right design starts with understanding how the space needs to work for the people who will actually use it.

For YourSpace Chesapeake, RBA partnered with YourSpace Hotels and Vierra Construction & Development to design a first-of-its-kind extended-stay hotel prototype. The design was built around the needs of longer-term guests, incorporating real kitchens, dedicated workspace, and spaces that feel suited for living, not simply an overnight stay.

That same thinking applies to any commercial project. Understanding your business model, your customers, and how the building needs to perform should help drive the design from the beginning.

If you’re planning a commercial project and need an architectural partner who understands how to turn a business concept into a functional built environment, RBA is ready to help.

Learn more about RBA’s commercial design experience: https://link.msgsndr.com/sp/f41aebcf1e0

#CommercialArchitecture #CommercialDevelopment #HospitalityDesign #RBAArchitects #RBA25

Considering building a custom home? The opportunity is bigger than choosing a style. It’s designing a home around the way you actually want to live.

For this new Virginia Beach residence, RBA is creating a modern interpretation of Mediterranean design on a serene lakeside property. With a growing family in mind, the home features spacious living areas for gathering and entertaining, along with a daylight basement that connects indoor living directly to the water’s edge.

That’s the value of custom design. Your family, your property, and the way you live all help shape the architecture.

If you have a property and a vision for what home could be, RBA has the experience to help bring the two together.

Learn more about RBA’s custom residential design: https://link.msgsndr.com/sp/f41aebcf1e0

#CustomHome #CustomHomeDesign #VirginiaBeachHomes #ResidentialArchitecture #RBAArchitects #RBA25

Considering a significant renovation or expansion? Sometimes the right solution isn’t starting over. It’s rethinking how an existing property can support what comes next.

Camp Cale in Hertford, NC is a great example. As the children’s day camp expands into a full overnight experience, RBA has helped the property evolve with it. After initially designing the camp’s bunkhouses, our team is now collaborating on a new dining pavilion designed to support overnight guests and the camp’s growing needs.

Whether you’re expanding capacity, adding new amenities, or adapting a property for a new purpose, thoughtful design can help you get more from the space you already have.

If your property needs to evolve with your business or organization, RBA can help you explore what’s possible.

#CommercialRenovation #AdaptiveDesign #CommercialArchitecture #RBAArchitects #RBA25

Considering a custom home? One of the advantages of custom design is creating a home that reflects your personal style while still responding thoughtfully to its surroundings.

For this Chesapeake residence, the homeowners wanted a modern Prairie-style home within an established traditional neighborhood. RBA carefully considered the scale, massing, color palette, and architectural details to create a home that complements the surrounding streetscape without sacrificing its distinctive design.

The result is a home designed specifically for its owners, its site, and the community around it.

If you’re considering building a custom home, RBA can help turn your vision into a design that feels uniquely yours and belongs exactly where you build it.

Learn more about RBA’s custom residential design: https://link.msgsndr.com/sp/d7629bcd94c

#CustomHomeDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #DreamHome #RBAArchitects #RBA25

Considering a mixed-use development? The right design has to work for more than one purpose and more than one type of user.

For this East Beach project, RBA designed a mixed-use building with apartments above flexible ground-floor retail space, originally envisioned to include a grocery store. The design gives the commercial space flexibility for different retail uses while creating clean, modern residences above.

Working within the East Beach Design Guidelines, RBA also balanced the community’s traditional coastal character with modern elements to create a prominent gateway into the neighborhood.

If you’re exploring a mixed-use project, RBA brings the experience to help you think through how residential, retail, and community needs can work together in one development.

Learn more about RBA’s multifamily and mixed-use experience: https://link.msgsndr.com/sp/e638ca162a1

#MixedUseDevelopment #MultifamilyArchitecture #CommercialArchitecture #RBAArchitects

As RBA marks 25 years, we are looking back at some of the projects that helped shape who we are today.

Fort Lee Permanent Party Chapel | Fort Lee, Virginia

In 2006, RBA partnered with R.D. Lambert to design this chapel for the Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Lee, now known as Fort Gregg-Adams. At nearly 18,000 square feet, the facility includes a main sanctuary seating over 200, an activity center, classrooms, a nursery, a choir room, and multipurpose spaces designed to serve the installation's permanent party soldiers and their families.

Thoughtful use of color and texture brought a warmth and richness not typically found in Department of Defense projects, and the design went on to become a prototype for other bases to follow.

This project also holds a special place in RBA's history as our first completed using BIM, a technology that has since become central to how we design and deliver every project.

#RBAArchitects #RBA25 #ChapelDesign #PublicWorks #MilitaryDesign #BIM #FortGreggAdams #DesigningCommunity

We have a fresh new look.

RBA Architects has updated our website with a cleaner design, refreshed content, and an easier way to explore our work across residential, multifamily, commercial, and more.

As we mark 25 years in practice, it felt like the right time to make sure our online presence reflects where we are today and where we are headed.

Take a look and let us know what you think.

👉 https://rbapc.com

#RBAArchitects #WebsiteRefresh #RBA25 #ArchitectureThatInspires #DesigningCommunity

Home in The Woods | Chesapeake, Virginia

When clients come to RBA with a heavily wooded property and a vision for their forever home, the first responsibility is to listen to the land.

For this rural Chesapeake residence, the challenge was designing a home that felt rooted in its surroundings rather than imposed upon them. Mature trees shaped every decision about footprint, orientation, and outdoor connection. The result is a home that celebrates the natural landscape it was built within rather than competing with it.

From the board and batten exterior and covered front porch to the light-filled sunroom with wood ceiling, brick fireplace, and walls of glass looking out to the trees, every detail reflects a deliberate effort to bring the outside in.

This is what a forever home looks like when the land has a voice in the design.

#RBADesign #CustomHomeDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #ChesapeakeVA #ForeverHome #HomeInTheWoods #RBA25 #ArchitectureThatInspires

25 Years of Design. Partnership. Impact.
AI Doesn't Replace Architects. It Makes Great Architects Even Better.

Whenever a new technology emerges, the same question comes up:

"Will AI replace architects?"

Our answer is simple.

No.

Architecture has never been about simply creating drawings. It's about listening to clients, solving complex problems, balancing budgets, understanding how people live and work, navigating regulations, coordinating consultants, and making thousands of informed decisions throughout the design process.

Artificial intelligence can't replace those relationships, that experience, or that professional judgment.

What it can do is help us work smarter.

At RBA, we use AI to generate design visualizations, assist with building code research, strengthen quality control reviews, organize project information, and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks. That means our architects can spend more time doing what they do best: designing great buildings and serving our clients.

We believe the future of architecture isn't about choosing between people and technology.

It's about combining the creativity, experience, and accountability of architects with the speed and capabilities of AI.

For 25 years, RBA has embraced innovation that helps us deliver better outcomes for our clients. As technology continues to evolve, our commitment remains the same:

Design with purpose. Build relationships. Deliver excellence.

The tools may change.

Our responsibility to our clients never will.

#RBAArchitects #25Years #ArtificialIntelligence #Architecture #Innovation #Leadership #DesignExcellence #FutureOfArchitecture

25 Years of Design. Partnership. Impact.
Better Quality Through Better Technology.

Quality has always been one of RBA's core values.

Today, artificial intelligence is helping us raise that standard even further.

Our team uses AI as part of our internal quality control process to review drawing sets, identify coordination issues, compare specifications against construction documents, organize RFIs, and help ensure consistency across increasingly complex projects.

Rather than replacing our architects, AI helps eliminate repetitive tasks and highlights areas that deserve a closer look.

The final review is always completed by experienced professionals who understand design intent, constructability, and the unique goals of each client.

The result is fewer coordination issues, improved documentation, and more time spent solving problems before they reach the job site.

After 25 years, our commitment hasn't changed. We continue to invest in the people, processes, and technology that help us deliver better architecture every day.

#RBAArchitects #25Years #QualityControl #Architecture #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #DesignExcellence

25 Years of Design. Partnership. Impact.
Using AI to Build Smarter and Safer.

One of the biggest advances we've made isn't something you'll ever see in a rendering.

It's how we review building codes.

Architects navigate thousands of pages of building codes, accessibility standards, housing regulations, and local amendments on every project. While experience remains our greatest asset, AI has become an incredibly valuable second set of eyes.

At RBA, we use AI to quickly research code provisions, compare requirements across jurisdictions, identify potential conflicts, and verify our understanding of complex issues before they become problems in the field.

Every answer is reviewed by our architects. AI doesn't make code decisions for us. It helps us find information faster so we can spend more time applying professional judgment where it matters most.

The result is a more efficient design process, stronger coordination, and better service for our clients.

Technology is changing the profession, but our responsibility remains exactly the same: deliver safe, code-compliant, and thoughtfully designed buildings.

#RBAArchitects #25Years #BuildingCodes #Architecture #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation

25 Years of Design. Partnership. Impact.
Technology That Helps Clients See the Future.

When RBA opened its doors 25 years ago, clients relied on floor plans, elevations, and a little imagination to picture their future project.

Today, artificial intelligence has transformed that experience.

By combining AI with our architectural models, we can create realistic visualizations much earlier in the design process. Homeowners can see different architectural styles before committing to a direction. Developers can evaluate materials, colors, and massing. Communities and review boards can better understand the design intent long before construction begins.

These aren't final designs created by AI. Every image starts with an architect's vision and is refined by our team to ensure it accurately reflects the project.

AI doesn't replace creativity. It helps us communicate it.

As we celebrate 25 years, we're proud to embrace technology that helps our clients make better decisions with greater confidence while still delivering the thoughtful architectural design that has always defined RBA.

#RBAArchitects #25Years #Architecture #ArtificialIntelligence #ArchitecturalVisualization #DesignInnovation

Last week we shared the story behind The Tern at East Beach and the collaborative effort that brought it to life. Today we want to highlight the words of one of the partners who helped make it possible.

LPS, the civil engineering firm behind the site's infrastructure, recently shared the following about their experience working alongside RBA:

"LPS has had the pleasure of collaborating with RBA on multiple projects. Their designs are innovative, thoughtful, and well-coordinated, making the engineering process both efficient and enjoyable.

Their team is highly collaborative, and respectful of the contributions of each discipline. They approach each project with professionalism, creativity, and a genuine commitment to delivering the best possible outcome for their clients. Their attention to detail and proactive communication help keep projects on schedule.

It is always a pleasure to work alongside a firm that values teamwork and technical excellence as much as outstanding design. We always enjoy working with RBA and recommend them to clients seeking an architectural partner who combines vision, expertise, and integrity. We look forward to collaborating on many more successful projects together!"

At RBA, partnership is not just part of the process. It is the foundation of how we work. Thank you to LPS for the kind words and for being the kind of collaborator that makes projects like The Tern possible.

#RBAArchitects #PartnerSpotlight #LPS #Collaboration #RBA25 #EastBeach #NorfolkVA

The room said it all.

On June 12, clients, partners, consultants, and friends gathered at Icon Norfolk Apartments to mark 25 years of RBA Architects. The conversations were genuine, the connections were real, and the turnout reflected the trust this firm has built across a quarter century of work.

Twenty five years of turning visions into reality, and the relationships that made it possible were all in that room.

Grateful for every person who showed up and made the evening what it was.

#RBA25 #RBAArchitects #25Years #DesigningCommunity #IconNorfolk

The Tern at East Beach | Norfolk, Virginia

In partnership with EDC Homes and civil engineer LPS, RBA Architects designed 96 luxury townhomes on property acquired from the City of Norfolk and NRHA, transforming an underutilized infill site into a vibrant waterfront community.

The design embraces coastal architecture with open-concept floor plans, generous natural light, contemporary finishes, and outdoor living spaces that reflect the East Beach setting. LPS handled site infrastructure, grading, drainage, and utilities, ensuring the development met the City's engineering and environmental requirements.

The Tern is a testament to what public-private partnership can accomplish. By bringing together the City of Norfolk, NRHA, EDC Homes, RBA Architects, and LPS, a prominent site became a walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that expands homeownership opportunities and supports the continued revitalization of Norfolk's waterfront.

See more highlights: https://link.pipelinepro.co/sp/50400247668

#RBAArchitects #TheTermAtEastBeach #EastBeach #NorfolkVA #CoastalLiving #MultifamilyDesign #RBA25

Twenty five years lit up.

For Tom Retnauer, this milestone is personal. What started as a vision in 2001 has grown into a firm that has shaped communities, built lasting relationships, and designed spaces that people call home across Virginia and beyond.

There was something fitting about marking that milestone at Icon Norfolk Apartments, a space RBA helped bring to life, as the sun set over the Elizabeth River.

Twenty five years in, the view from here looks pretty good.

#RBA25 #RBAArchitects #DesigningCommunity #25Years #IconNorfolk

Behind every project RBA delivers is a team that stays connected, holds each other accountable, and genuinely cares about getting it right.

Moments like this one are a reminder of what makes RBA work. A close-knit group of people who show up for each other and for the clients who trust us with their projects. That consistency, across 25 years, is what defines the standard we hold ourselves to.

#RBATeam #TeamCulture #RBA25 #RBAArchitects #PeopleBehindTheProjects

Twenty-five years ago, Tom took a vision and began building what would become RBA Architects.

Since then, he has led the firm through changing markets, new opportunities, and continued growth while never losing sight of what matters most: the people. Tom has always believed in investing in his team, encouraging professional growth, celebrating personal achievements, and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

Congratulations on 25 years of leadership, dedication, and building not only exceptional projects, but a firm rooted in relationships and shared success.

Here's to 25 years of RBA and the legacy that continues to grow.

#25Years #Leadership #Architecture #Teamwork #RBAArchitects

Team Spotlight: Barrett Adams

Barrett didn't plan on a career in architecture. It started with a chance internship in high school and grew from there into 14 years at RBA.

What keeps him here is clear when you hear him talk about the work. He still remembers the first house he helped design being built locally, driving past it and thinking about the families who would live there, the memories they would make, the life they would build inside those walls. That moment put everything into perspective.

Fourteen years later, that sense of meaning hasn't faded. Looking around the city, and at this point a large portion of the state, Barrett sees the influence RBA has had in the number of built spaces that have passed through our office. That's not something most people get to say about their work.

And the team? He describes it as a privilege. Any time the group gets together outside the office, he's reminded that he works alongside people who genuinely care about each other.

As RBA marks 25 years, Barrett is watching what comes next with the same curiosity he's had since that first internship. The growth over 14 years has been real. Whatever comes next, he can't wait to be part of it.

#RBATeam #TeamSpotlight #RBA25 #PeopleBehindTheProjects #RBAArchitects

This year, celebrations feel a little bigger.

Tomorrow, America marks 250 years. RBA Architects marks 25. Both milestones built on the same foundation: vision, perseverance, and the people who show up every day to build something lasting.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Fourth of July from all of us at RBA.

#HappyFourthOfJuly #America250 #RBA25 #RBAArchitects #DesigningCommunity

On June 12, RBA Architects celebrated 25 years with the people who made it possible.

Clients, partners, consultants, and members of our community gathered at Icon Norfolk Apartments for an evening of great food, beautiful views of the Elizabeth River, and the kind of conversation that reminds you why relationships are at the center of everything we do.

The spread was impressive, the weather was perfect, and the attendance was a genuine reflection of the connections RBA has built over 25 years.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. More from the evening to come.

#RBA25 #RBAArchitects #25Years #IconNorfolk #CommunityOfDesign #DesigningCommunity

Two milestones. One partnership.

This year, RBA Architects celebrates 25 years in practice. TestFit celebrates 10 years as a platform. And RBA is proud to be among the 10 customers TestFit highlighted as having helped shape what the platform is today.

When RBA came to TestFit as early adopters, a single site plan took 20 to 30 hours in AutoCAD. TestFit changed that to 4 to 6 hours, unlocked 7 times more design iterations, and fundamentally shifted how RBA approaches site planning, putting architects back in the driver's seat from day one instead of reacting to what civil engineers laid out first.
Across nearly 100 projects and over $750,000 in fees won, that partnership has made a real difference for the developers and clients we serve.

Congratulations to TestFit on 10 years. Here's to many more.

👉 https://www.testfit.io/blog/10-customers-that-shaped-10-years-of-testfit

#RBA25 #TestFit #RBAArchitects #SitePlanning #MultifamilyDevelopment #DesignTechnology #MilestonesInCommon

Understanding what goes into a finished product makes us better architects.

In late May, the RBA team toured Green Forest Cabinetry to see firsthand how their cabinets are designed, built, and finished. Getting into the factory, asking questions, and understanding the process behind the product is the kind of learning that directly improves the guidance we give our clients.

Twenty five years in, that curiosity hasn't changed.

#RBATeam #ContinuousLearning #RBA25 #RBAArchitects #GreenForestCabinetry

As part of our 25th anniversary, we are highlighting the technologies and partners that have helped shape how RBA works.

TestFit has been one of the most significant.

As early adopters of TestFit's real-time site planning platform, RBA transformed a process that once took 20 to 30 hours in AutoCAD into one that takes 4 to 6 hours, with up to 7 times more design iterations and the ability to explore 10 to 15 site solutions where a civil engineer previously showed 1 or 2.

The results speak for themselves. To date, RBA has completed close to 100 projects in TestFit and won over $1,000,000 in project fees as a direct result of the platform's ability to help us move faster, respond to clients in real time, and deliver better outcomes earlier in the process.

For developers, that speed translates directly to better decisions, stronger yields, and fewer surprises before a dollar is spent on design.

Read the full TestFit customer story featuring RBA here:

👉 https://www.testfit.io/customer-stories/rba-architects

#RBAArchitects #TestFit #SitePlanning #RBA25 #MultifamilyDevelopment #DesignTechnology

Extended stay isn't a room type. It's a different promise to the guest.

RBA Architects partnered with YourSpace Hotels and Vierra Construction to design a first-of-its-kind extended-stay hotel prototype, built around real kitchens, real workspace, and the needs of travelers who are settling in, not just checking in.

Since opening in March, the Chesapeake property has proven the concept. When you design around how people actually live and stay, the performance follows.

Proud to have partnered with YourSpace Hotels and Vierra Construction & Development on a project that's redefining what extended stay can be.

Photo source:YourSpace Hotels

#RBAArchitects #ExtendedStay #HospitalityDesign #YourSpaceHotels #RBA25

Some of the best collaboration happens away from the desk.

Recently, RBA closed the office a little early for a team barbecue, with Tom manning the grill and a few of our partners joining in. Good food, easy conversation, and the kind of downtime that makes the workweek better.

A team that works hard together knows how to relax together too.

#RBATeam #OfficeBBQ #TeamCulture #RBAArchitects #WorkHardRelaxHard

Happy Birthday, Barrett! 🎉

Barrett's journey at RBA is one worth celebrating. What started as an internship thirteen years ago has grown into a career that now has him leading projects as one of our project managers.That kind of growth doesn't happen by accident. It takes commitment, adaptability, and a genuine investment in the work.

Wishing him a very happy birthday.

#RBATeam #HappyBirthday #RBAArchitects

Excited to share a new project in the works.

RBA Architects partnered with engineer Michael W. Robinson, P.E., P.L.S. on the concept rendering for an approved mixed-use site plan at 1903 South Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills. The project will bring three two-bedroom apartments to the upper level, with a carry-out restaurant and retail space on the ground floor.

It is always exciting to see a project move from concept to approval, and we look forward to watching this one take shape alongside great collaborators.

Featured in The Coastland Times.

#RBAArchitects #RBA25 #MixedUseDevelopment #KillDevilHills #OuterBanks #DesignInProgress #CollaborativeDesign

Happy Birthday, Tim! 🎉

Fourteen years at RBA and Tim remains one of the sharpest minds in multifamily design on our team. His depth of experience and command of the work continue to set the standard for how we approach some of our most complex projects.

Wishing him a very happy birthday and a day that matches the dedication he brings to RBA every single day.

#RBATeam #HappyBirthday #RBAArchitects

Happy Birthday, Daniel! 🎉

Four years in and Daniel continues to bring the kind of steady expertise and genuine care for the work that makes a real difference at RBA. We are grateful for the knowledge and commitment he brings to every project and every client.

Wishing him a great birthday and a well deserved day of celebration.

#RBATeam #HappyBirthday #RBAArchitects

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Spaces That Work—For You

25 Years of
Excellence

25

100+

500+

5