Residential architects

Our Studio

creating comfortable, functional beautiful homes

about us

We are a team of talented professionals who specialize in creating comfortable, functional, beautiful homes.

May Architecture is a full-service architecture firm, guiding clients through every stage of their project—from initial sketches to final construction. We take a deeply personal approach to each home—balancing character and context with performance and comfort. Our work blends heritage and modernity, craftsmanship and practicality, all while supporting the people who live there every day.

We listen carefully, respond to your needs, and ensure you feel confident and supported at every step.

We advocate on your behalf, especially during construction, to ensure your goals are achieved and your vision is brought to life. Our commitment continues beyond the design process, as we support you in the thoughtful care and stewardship of your home.

More than just creating construction documents, we bring fresh ideas and a unique perspective to enhance the beauty, function, and feel of your space.

what we offer
helping you care for and elevate your property

  • Historic Preservation and Restoration that sensitively adapts and renews historic structures while honoring their original character.

  • Thoughtful guidance on finish materials and products, ensuring elements like cabinetry, windows, and flooring support both aesthetics and function.

  • Strategic Space Planning that maximizes the efficiency and functionality of existing areas.

  • Aging-in-Place solutions designed to ensure homes remain safe, comfortable, and functional throughout changing needs and life stages.

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  • Comprehensive drawings that translate design vision into clear instructions for construction.

  • While many of our projects involve full design services from start to finish, we also offer one-time design consultations for homeowners who need a bit of clarity or a fresh perspective.

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  • Whole-house Renovations that retain a home's best qualities while improving the rest.

  • Thoughtfully integrated additions that honor the original structure’s character while enhancing its functionality and coherence.

  • Master Plans that provide a holistic understanding of a property's full potential—guiding thoughtful, long-term transformation.

  • Strategic improvements to curb appeal that make an immediate impression for you and possibly to attract potential buyers.

  • Feasibility Studies that uncover opportunities and constraints—laying the groundwork for a successful, well-informed project.

  • Visual tools such as sketches and 3D models that bring ideas to life and ensure a shared understanding of the design direction.

Why Clients choose us

  • Thoughtful Expertise

    With decades of experience in residential architecture, we seamlessly integrate modern design and systems into older homes. Our solutions are as functional as they are beautiful.

  • Minimize Disruption

    We know your time is valuable. Our process reduces stress, streamlines decisions, and minimizes disruption to your daily life—making the experience manageable, not overwhelming.

  • Clarity of Vision

    Whether you have a clear direction or just a feeling, we translate your needs into a functional, beautiful, and high-performing home. We help shape your vision—or create one together—so every decision is intentional.

  • A Trusted Expert

    Trust is at the heart of every successful project. May Architecture brings deep expertise, calm leadership, and a collaborative mindset to guide you through each stage—advocating for your goals and navigating challenges.

  • Clear Communication

    No surprises, only transparency. We keep you informed and supported from start to finish with thoughtful guidance, so you always know where you stand and what comes next.

  • A Smooth Process

    Our process is designed to keep things simple and stress-free. We’ve refined a clear, proven approach that guides you smoothly from first ideas through construction. The result: fewer surprises, better communication, and a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Our Process

  • Define

    Define your needs and budget, property feasibility, overall goals and direction.

  • Design

    Design ideas to meet your needs, budget and goals

  • Develop

    Develop the design into a clear, comprehensive set of working documents that can be built from

  • Monitor

    Monitor construction to ensure the finished project reflects your investment in our services

our team

Erin May, AIA

Erin is a seasoned architect with over 25 years of experience, specializing in high-end custom and historic residential design, primarily in the Washington, DC area. After honing her craft in some of DC’s most respected residential architecture firms, she established her own practice with a focus on delivering exceptional design through a responsive, personable client experience.

Her work blends deliberate design and details with the principles of high-performance building, reflecting both beauty and comfort. Erin is known for her collaborative approach—bringing her clients’ ideas and visions to life with creativity, care, and leadership.

Recognized as a talented designer, a dedicated advocate, and a trusted guide, Erin has earned the respect of clients and colleagues alike. Her work has received awards from the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. She holds professional licenses in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio.

Outside the studio, Erin enjoys discovering new trails, cooking for friends, and working alongside her husband on the renovation of their own historic home.

affiliations

Custom Residential Architects Network, Columbus Chapter, co-chair
Landmarks Columbus, member
BS (Building Science) + Beer, Columbus Chapter member

Black and white headshot of a woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a white shirt and dark blazer, smiling at the camera.

Erin may, aia
founder, principal architect

Custom Residential Architects Network
Columbus chapter, Co-chair

BS (Building Science) + BEER
Columbus chapter member

What Matters to Us
& Our Clients

  • Bright sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass double doors, overlooking a lush green backyard with trees and a white garden structure.

    Climate-Smart Design

    A practical path to high-performance (i.e. comfortable) homes.

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  • A brick house with three large windows, two on the first floor and one on the second, surrounded by greenery and a brick patio in the foreground.

    Historic Homes

    Thoughtful updates that respect the soul of your home.

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  • A bedroom corner showing a window with a floral curtain, a white tufted armchair, a wooden nightstand with a ceramic lamp, part of a dark wooden bed frame, and an interior view of autumn trees through the window.

    Aging-In-Place

    Design that grows with you, and allows you to stay in your home.

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“Erin was a pleasure to work with and she did a wonderful job helping us re-imagine our 1970s contemporary home. Erin helped us modify the segmented layout of our living areas to a natural, open flow that respected the house's vintage character. Her architectural expertise helped us navigate engineering changes and the permitting and inspection process were overall painless. We're thrilled with the end result and would welcome the opportunity to work with Erin in the future.”

russell & Brooke n.
great falls, virginia