Ballard + Mensua Architecture was named Best Architect in Arlington Magazine’s 2016 Best of Arlington Awards, recognizing the firm’s dedication to creating spaces that honor the area’s architectural heritage while meeting the needs of modern families.

Principal architect Seth Ballard, an Arlington native and graduate of McKinley, Swanson, and Yorktown, draws inspiration from his firsthand experience living and raising a family in the community. “Many Arlington houses were built in the 1940s and suffer from small closets, tiny kitchens, and no mudrooms,” Ballard explains. His firm is frequently called upon to open up these cramped spaces without sacrificing the charm and character that make Arlington’s neighborhoods unique.

Ballard + Mensua specializes in thoughtful renovations, additions, historic preservation, and custom homes that blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Their work respects scale, material, and detail—using brick, stone, and classic rooflines to maintain neighborhood character, while interior updates like soft drywall arches and traditional trim help older homes feel fresh and livable.

The firm also designs vacation and retirement homes across the country, from ski retreats to beach houses, applying the same commitment to craftsmanship and timeless design.