Modern Residential Designer — Montgomery County, MD
RT Studio designs custom modern homes, additions, and renovations throughout Montgomery County. We create light-filled, functional residences for families in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Rockville, and surrounding Maryland communities.
Your Montgomery County Design Partner
For over 12 years, we’ve transformed properties across MoCo—from Bethesda mid-century moderns to Takoma Park bungalows and Potomac custom builds. We have a deep understanding of Montgomery County zoning codes, DPS permitting requirements, and the unique character of our local neighborhoods.
Our Modern Vision Assessment provides budget clarity from day one, eliminating the stress and surprises that often accompany large-scale residential projects in Maryland.
Featured Montgomery County Projects
The Barkston Addition | Bethesda
The Tilden Line Addition and Renovation I North Bethesda
What to Expect
Discover
We begin with a free Discovery Call to understand your goals, constraints, and project readiness. This early phase includes feasibility guidance and zoning review so you can move forward with clarity.
Design
Most projects take 2–4 months to move from concept design to permit‑ready drawings. This includes spatial planning, 3D visualization, material direction, and detailed documentation.
Deliver
We coordinate closely with your builder during permitting and remain available during construction to ensure your design is built as intended.
Typical Design Fee Ranges
Design fees vary based on scope, size, and complexity, but most Montgomery County projects fall within these ranges:
Modern additions: $18k–$35k
Whole‑home modernizations: $25k–$55k
Custom modern homes: $45k–$85k+
These ranges reflect typical project complexity and permitting requirements in Montgomery County.
Typical Construction Budgets
Construction costs vary widely based on scope and level of finish, but most modern projects in Montgomery County fall within these ranges:
Additions: $450k–$900k
Whole‑home modernizations: $600k–$1.2M
Custom modern homes: $1.2M+
Your builder will provide detailed pricing once drawings are complete.
Expected Timelines
Design & Planning: 2–4 Months Permitting: 1–3 Months Construction: 4–12 Months
Serving Montgomery County
Bethesda Chevy Chase Rockville Potomac Silver Spring Kensington North Bethesda Garrett Park
FAQ’s
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Description Montgomery County uses the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) for all residential construction permits. The review process can take anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks depending on project complexity and current DPS workload. We manage the full submission, respond quickly to any reviewer comments, and track your application so nothing sits idle waiting for a response.ext goes here
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Yes — we serve homeowners throughout Montgomery County including Bethesda, North Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Rockville, Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Kensington, and Gaithersburg. Each area has its own neighborhood character and sometimes its own overlay zoning — we know the nuances of each.
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They can be — but it's our specialty. The post-and-beam construction common in North Bethesda and the flat-roof ranches throughout Bethesda require a designer who understands the original structural logic of the home before touching it. We've worked on dozens of these projects and know exactly how to extend them without losing what made them special.
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The Modern Vision Assessment is designed to answer exactly that question. In 10–14 business days we'll review your site, your zoning, and your budget — and give you an honest picture of what's possible. If we're the right fit, we'll move forward together. If not, you'll still walk away with a clearer understanding of your project than you had before.
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Yes — and it's one of our favorite challenges. Montgomery County is full of suburban homes from the 60s, 70s, and 80s that have great bones but feel dated. We've transformed several of these into homes with a genuine mid-century modern sensibility — clean lines, open layouts, natural light, and honest materials — without making them feel like a costume. The result is a home that feels authentically modern rather than just decorated that way.