FIRM SPOTLIGHT | K. Dixon Architecture PLLC (KDA)

Kathy Dixon FAIA, NOMAC, NCARB, LEED AP, CDT Founder & Principal, K. Dixon Architecture PLLC (KDA)

 

DCNOMA proudly honors Kathy Dixon, FAIA, NOMAC, and her firm K. Dixon Architecture PLLC (KDA)—a trailblazing, woman- and minority-owned firm committed to delivering thoughtful, functional, and high-performing spaces that uplift communities and promote equity through design.

Founded in 2003, KDA is a full-service firm providing architecture, planning, engineering, feasibility studies, interior design, design-build, and project management. The firm has led projects across sectors including commercial, healthcare, science and technology, education, government, multi-family residential, and institutional facilities, serving both public and private clients.

Rooted in the belief that “form follows function”, KDA integrates green building technologies and promotes design excellence at any budget, consistently delivering solutions that balance performance, innovation, and creativity.

The firm's core values include:

  • Innovation – KDA uses data, research, and collaboration to uncover insights and shape custom design solutions.

  • Collaboration – With a team of architects and planners from diverse backgrounds, KDA emphasizes open dialogue and interdisciplinary thinking to meet clients’ visions.

  • Creativity – KDA brings bold thinking and refined technical skill to create meaningful spaces that benefit clients and communities alike.

Kathy Dixon and KDA: Leadership Rooted in Community and Excellence

Kathy Dixon brings more than 32 years of experience to her work as an architect, planner, educator, and leader. A proud graduate of Howard University’s School of Architecture, she also holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from UCLA, with a concentration in Housing and Community Development.

Kathy is licensed to practice architecture in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Georgia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and holds certifications from LEED, NCARB, and CSI (CDT). Throughout her career, she has led the design of complex technical facilities including healthcare, laboratory, and science and technology buildings for both public and academic institutions.

Before founding KDA, Kathy’s career included:

  • Working on educational facilities across the DC metro region

  • Managing federal aviation projects including Potomac TRACON and ARTCC facilities

  • Designing McDonald’s restaurants, play areas, and commercial kitchens as part of a four-year stint with the corporation

In 2010, Kathy joined the faculty at the University of the District of Columbia as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture and Community Planning. She continues to mentor young women and minorities entering the profession and is recognized as a powerful advocate for diversity, equity, and access in architecture.

From 2012 to 2014, Kathy served as National President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). She remains actively engaged in her community, serving as a Trustee of her church and as a board member of the Harambee Community Development Corporation, which recently developed the Beasley Square Senior Housing Complex in Alexandria, VA.

In recognition of her lifelong contributions to the profession, Kathy and her Riding the Vortex collaborators received the prestigious 2022 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, honoring their efforts in championing diversity in architecture.

Featured KDA Projects

  • Prince George’s County Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyattsville, MD

  • Morgan State University Health & Human Services Center, Baltimore, MD

  • WMATA Headquarters, Alexandria, VA

  • PGCPS Blueprint Schools Phase II (P3) – Educational specs for over 962,000 SF of learning space

  • University of Maryland Capital Region Health – Bowie Health Center

  • PGC Child Care Center & Police Department District Facilities

  • Montgomery County Council Office Building, Rockville, MD

Legacy and Leadership

With Kathy Dixon’s leadership, KDA has remained focused on designing for impact, staying connected to community needs, and developing spaces that elevate function, form, and equity. As a businesswoman, mentor, and architect, Kathy exemplifies what it means to lead with vision and purpose.

DCNOMA celebrates KDA as a firm that is not only building physical spaces—but also creating opportunity, access, and legacy within the architectural profession.