We create homes, multifamily housing, hospitality spaces, mixed-use developments, commercial offices, cultural centers and public art spaces for communities in DC, the Northeast and beyond. With a deep appreciation for the relationship between people and place, their work embraces the local vernacular histories that shape and define urban fabric.

ABOUT US

Dynamic and future-forward, Drummond Projects is an emerging interdisciplinary design studio working at the intersection of architecture, urbanism and cultural storytelling. With a team of visionary designers, architects, artists and builders, the firm is dedicated to crafting innovative, resilient spaces that foster connection and belonging.

With a multifaceted approach, Drummond Projects navigates complex design challenges that reflect the histories, aspirations and evolving needs of the communities they serve. Grounded in authenticity, innovation, design equity and accessibility, their work celebrates African-American identity by amplifying and empowering the Black experience through the built environment.

At the forefront of socially responsive architecture, Drummond Projects champions projects that merge design excellence with equity. Guided by cultural resilience and architectural innovation, Drummond Projects continues to shape the built environment in ways that uplift culture and identity as well as foster dialogue to create lasting impact.

Jimmie Drummond III

PRINCIPAL

Jimmie Drummond is studio founder, architect, educator and lighting artist. His pluralistic role within the discipline of architecture demonstrates a desire to delve into detail and traverse the many dimensions of this creative practice. He is compelled by socially-driven causes that enact positive change at all scales. Jimmie’s portfolio of work includes multi-housing development, commercial hospitality, mixed-use development, and office workspaces. 

With a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Interior Design from Howard University and a Dual-Masters Degree in Architecture + Lighting Design from Parsons School of Design, Jimmie is the first African-American to graduate with both Masters degrees. 


Prior to helming his own practice, Jimmie spent time in New York City as an architect at SHoP Architects and Bernheimer Architecture in New York City; and as a lighting designer for FLUX Studio. He has taught at Howard, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) on the subjects of architecture, real-estate development, structural technology, and construction management. Jimmie had also been a guest lecturer at Parsons and the University of Maryland. 

Johnathan Campbell

  • As Technical Director, Jonathan oversees technical quality review and management and the development of maintenance of firm-wide technical standards. His role includes advising on design and process improvement, quality checking on all construction and contract documents, drawings and specifications, reviewing and approving of all plan checks in its final stages, bid and IFC documentation prior to stamping and signature. With fastidious attention to detail, Jonathan performs with accuracy and precision when handling processes and procedures.

    Jonathan is a Registered Architect in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia with over 15 years of practice in commercial, government, higher education, institutional and healthcare design. Jonathan has completed hundreds of projects throughout the DMC. He is a member of the DC National Organization of Minority Architects and a certified member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Johnathan holds a Master's Degree in Architecture from Morgan State University and is a former adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia Community College and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Christopher Sledge

  • Chris Sledge joined Drummond Projects in 2020 as the firm's Creative Director. His multi-disciplinary approach has allowed him the opportunity to collaborate with world renowned architects, interior designers, and industrial designers.

    His professional experience includes 12 years working with Italian furniture manufacturers to increase their market share in the US through business development, activations, and education.

    While grounded in fine art and luxury interiors, his career has been purposefully diverse. He has always sought work that would add to his repertoire in this ever-evolving industry.

Lolade Frankel

  • Lolade Frankel is a Project Director at Drummond Projects. She is passionate about design equity and is dedicated to making space for and elevating voices within architecture that are often underrepresented and overlooked. Lolade envisions architecture as rooted in place, community, and joy, which are made possible through the lens of approachability.

    Lolade graduated from Tulane University in Louisiana with a Bachelor’s and Master of Architecture. Her professional experience includes working with Standard and John Friedman Alice Kimm in Los Angeles for three years on all phases of projects ranging from retail to educational work. Most recently, she spent two years working on affordable housing, adaptive re-use and multi-unit residential projects in her hometown of Philadelphia.

  • Matias is an Architectural Designer at Drummond Projects, where his work merges form and function to create spaces that uplift and inspire. With a keen eye for detail and an intuitive sense of connection, his practice fosters meaningful interactions between people and their environments.

    Before joining Drummond Projects, Matias contributed to multifamily residential projects at Design Collective and EastWing Architects.

    As he is passionate about graphic design, his work infuses playful elements that invite engagement and spark moments of delight, transforming the built environment into an immersive, memorable experience.

Matias Osei

  • Yufei Ma’s expertise lies within urban, landscape, and architectural projects. As an architectural designer, she collaborates closely with principals on cultural and hospitality spaces, honing her skills in materiality, site integration and client presentations.

    Her hands-on experience in construction methods, space planning and building codes strengthens her technical foundation. Her keen eye is attentive to blending simplicity, craftsmanship as well as classic and contemporary design where each project is executed with meticulous research and refined graphic communication. As a LEED Green Associate, Yufei is dedicated to creating sustainable, livable spaces.

Yufei Ma

Freddy Mbari

  • Freddy Mbari is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in financial and business development services. Following his tenure on Wall Street, he transitioned to the FinTech sector, where he successfully led major restructuring initiatives over three years. As a Strategic Growth Advisor, Freddy is poised to build a strong foundation in business development and strategic partnerships as Drummond Projects expands into new markets within the Architectural and Real Estate industry. He is also pursuing his MBA at NYU Stern, where he is actively involved with the Real Estate Club, further honing his skills in finance and business development.

  • Marcus holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Middle Tennessee University in Murfreesboro, TN. After relocating to Atlanta, he refined his expertise across residential, retail, workplace, higher education, and healthcare design. Now based in Washington, DC, he serves as an Architectural Designer at Drummond Projects, contributing to multifamily, hospitality, and commercial office spaces.

    With a lifelong passion for the arts—including painting, dance, music, and graphic design—Marcus brings a distinctive perspective, blending artistic vision with functional, innovative design solutions.

Marcus Byers

Ian Walker

  • Ian brings a wealth of experience across multifamily housing, retail, hospitality, and workspace design.

    A graduate of The Catholic University of America, he is committed to shaping the next generation of architects through his leadership in youth programs at the Washington Architectural Foundation. He has also served as Chair of the AIA DC Emerging Architects Committee and secretary on the DC NOMA executive board, advancing initiatives like Project Pipeline within the District.

    Beyond architecture, Ian finds camaraderie on the rugby field, proudly representing The Washington Irish. Looking ahead, he aims to leverage his expertise in architecture and engineering to influence policy, enhance living standards and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

Jamie Solomon

  • Jamie is an Architectural Designer Intern at Drummond Projects who recently graduated from Morgan State University. Prior to joining the team, she worked at Sulton Campbell Britt. It was on a trip to Ghana that deepened her admiration for and appreciation of how culture and history can inspire design.

    Her passion for architecture is driven by her unwavering commitment to creativity, with architecture serving as her canvas to explore a wide range of mediums. Her ultimate aspiration is to design spaces that not only meet essential needs but also elevate communities with human-centered design.

Anton Shoetan

  • Anton oversees finance, accounting, and tax functions at Drummond Projects. A licensed Certified Public Accountant with over a decade of experience, he has led and managed teams at KPMG and PwC, specializing in advisory services and financial statement audits.

    A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Anton holds an MBA from Philadelphia University and a BA from Chowan University.

Brittany Marrow

  • Brittany Marrow is an Operations Coordinator at Drummond Projects. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Maryland Institute College of Art and brings nine years of experience in New York City's Design Build Industry, with expertise in store design, event production, fabrication and project management. Brittany excels at coordinating and executing large-scale projects, demonstrating both design acumen and logistical expertise. Her passion for experiential design and fabrication brings a unique perspective to the studio while her effective management skills help to foster strong, lasting client relationships.