About the Firm

Shaping spaces that serve people and endure with purpose.

Based in Washington, DC, VA-Spaces is a multi-disciplined interior and base building design firm with over 50 years of combined, award-winning experience. As a woman-owned and minority-owned business, we’ve been shaping environments across the DC Metro region and beyond since 2006.

We offer comprehensive design services — from initial programming and concept development through construction administration — for corporate, healthcare, government, retail, and education clients. Our approach is grounded in a simple belief: that the spaces where people work should reflect and support the organizations that inhabit them.

Valerie A. Barnes
Valerie A. Barnes
Principal / Interior Architect

Founder of VA-Spaces with over 26 years of experience in interior architecture. Valerie leads full-service design management across the DC Metro region and seven states, with deep expertise in AutoCAD and client-facing project delivery.

Monier Barakat
Monier Barakat
Director of Architecture

30 years of architectural experience spanning base building, hospitality, historic renovations, federal government, and educational facilities. Monier oversees the architecture practice and brings breadth across a wide range of sector types.

Orlena Dupree
Orlena Dupree
Senior Interior Designer

16 years of interior design experience leading projects from programming through final execution. Orlena manages the full design lifecycle and serves as the primary point of contact for client and vendor coordination.

Phase 01
Discovery

Deep listening — understanding your organization, culture, and goals before any design decisions are made.

Phase 02
Programming

Space needs defined, adjacencies mapped, and a functional program established as the design foundation.

Phase 03
Design

Schematic through construction documents — balancing aesthetic intent with precise technical execution.

Phase 04
Administration

Active construction oversight — site visits, RFI management, and coordination through final occupancy.

Our Reach

Based in the Washington, DC metro area — we work with clients nationwide. The points below mark places we’re licensed and have completed projects.

Have a project in mind?
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We work across the DC Metro region and seven states — government, corporate, healthcare, retail, and education clients welcome.

View our work