Brian McCarthy is a founding partner of BFM Architecture. As a principal at BFM, Brian has guided dozens of projects from their inception through construction. His involvement ranges from schematic design, design development to construction documents and construction administration.

Brian’s focus has been on residential design, ranging from single family homes to assisted living facilities for the elderly. A new custom home in Bethesda, Maryland was published in Architectural Digest in April 2001 and Brian’s six assisted living projects have been recognized by a total of nine national awards.

Shawn Buehler joined BFM Architecture in 1999 and became a partner in 2010. He has been actively involved in a variety of project types, including single-family additions and new homes, multi-family compact urban housing, affordable housing, elderly housing, and community planning for housing on military bases.  Shawn’s primary focus is on new and existing dwelling units of all shapes and sizes, with projects ranging in scale from porch additions to new construction condominium projects.

Shawn’s project involvement spans from inception to completion, including schematic design, design development, permitting & bidding assistance and construction phase services.

Shawn has served as a guest critic and has taught a graduate design studio at the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and has participated as a guest critic on two Study Abroad programs through the school.  

Lynn joined BFM Architecture in 2008 after graduating from the University of Maryland and became a partner in 2023. Her interest in sustainability and residential architecture has influenced her participation in a variety of projects near and far. She enjoys learning and collaborating with each client to transform their visions into reality, creating efficient, functional and inviting spaces that are respectful of their surroundings. Outside of the office, Lynn has also had the humbling experience of building homes for those in need with Habitat for Humanity in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Ellen joined BFM Architecture in 2017. She brings 20 years of experience in residential design, previously working at architecture and interior design firms in both Washington DC and New York City. Her primary focus is single-family home design. Ellen received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame.

Ben joined BFM Architecture in 2022. He brings 14 years of experience specializing in a wide range of commercial architecture projects in both the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas. His main focuses are single-family additions and multi-family housing. He also has experience providing Third-Party Plan Review services for multi-family projects in Prince George’s County.

Ben has a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture from the University of Maryland and spends his free time renovating his cottage-style home in Silver Spring and converting his yard to a native pollinator garden.

Jazmin joined BFM Architecture in 2021 after graduating from the University of Maryland with a Masters of Architecture degree. Her proclivity for residential and community minded architecture informed her graduate education and thesis. She is committed to growing her craft to better serve.

Kyle joined BFM Architecture in 2016 after graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture. He has participated in a variety of projects ranging from single-family home additions to assisted living facilities.

At BFM, Kyle has enriched his passion for graphic design and residential architecture.

Magalys (Maggie) Joyce first joined BFM Architecture in 2013. Over the years she has participated in a variety of project types ranging from single family renovations and additions to multi-family residential renovations, commercial tenant fit-outs, and places of worship. Her involvement in the various projects span from schematic design to construction documentation and administration.

Maggie received her Masters of Architecture from the University of Maryland in 2016. Her work in design for places of worship has earned local and state recognition.

Paula Coronado first joined BFM Architecture in 2014 after graduating from the University of Maryland with her Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture. She later received her Masters of Architecture from the University of Maryland in 2017. Since then, she has worked on a variety of projects ranging from multi-family, community architecture, new and renovated places of worship, interior design, and residential additions and renovations. She loves going through the design process and seeing clients’ vision for their home come to life.

In her free time, she enjoys running, working on her photography, spending time with her kids, and sketching up renovation plans for her colonial-style home.

Robin Farrar joined BFM Architecture in 2020, bringing over 20 years’ experience in a variety of residential work including additions, renovations, condominium conversions, and new homes. She started a private practice and managed all aspects of the business from pre-design through construction. She successfully built and maintained great client relationships, understanding the uniqueness of every project.

Robin holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Maryland School of Architecture, and has served as a guest critic there and at The Catholic University of America. She believes an architect should be an excellent designer, strategist, editor, pit boss, and sometimes therapist.

Sean Banks joined BFM Architecture in 2019 after graduating from Howard University with a Bachelor of Architecture. During her time at Howard, she developed an interest in residential architecture, interior design and photography. Sean has a genuine passion for service to mankind and with her educational foundation, she wishes to express her passion to serve through Architecture.

Susan joined BFM Architecture in 1999 and has participated in projects for single family homes, seniors’ housing and group homes for those with special needs.  Currently, Susan works primarily to facilitate permitting for the firm.  The photo was taken at Termessos, Turkey; Susan has made seven trips to the Antalya region of Turkey to survey historic sites with the University of Maryland School of Architecture.  She serves on the Kentlands Historical Trust.

In 1977, Ralph Bennett opened the Maryland office of a Cambridge firm specializing in assisted multi-family housing, designing several large projects in Maryland and Virginia. He continued that practice until 1989, when colleagues Larry Frank and Brian McCarthy joined him to form Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc. In 2015 Ralph was named to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. After 30 years of practice with the firm Ralph transitioned to become a principal emeritus. Ralph is also an professor emeritus at the University of Maryland School of Architecture, where he continues to teach part time. He was Commissioner and Chair of the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County. He is Vice Chair of the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County and President of Purple Line NOW. He became a LEED Accredited Professional in 2009, continuing an interest in sustainable design which began in Cambridge in the 1970’s.