Our practice began in the Washington, DC metro area with the opening of our first office in Vienna, Virginia, in 1978. The firm was founded as Helbing Lipp Ltd. Architects Engineers by David Lipp, an architect and interior designer, and Thomas Helbing, an architect and structural engineer. Early work focused on a wide range of commercial clients—including banks, retail stores, and chain restaurants throughout the region.
Over time, we expanded our expertise to include churches and schools, while also opening a branch office in Charles Town, West Virginia, to better serve clients in the Eastern Panhandle. This evolution established us as trusted specialists in religious, educational, and institutional design, while still maintaining long-standing relationships with repeat clients in the food service, banking, and broader commercial sectors.
In 1998, John Recny joined the firm, bringing a deep dedication to working with faith communities. He became a partner in 2008, and in 2013 the firm’s name officially changed to Helbing Lipp Recny Architects (HLR Architects). Tom Helbing retired in 2013, followed by David Lipp in 2016. Under John’s leadership, the firm continued to thrive, guided by the same principles of ethics, practicality, and common-sense design that shaped its foundation.
In Fall 2024, HLR Architects merged with Florida-based Sandbar Architecture, led by Daniel Edgell. Following John Recny’s retirement in February 2025, leadership of the Virginia office was entrusted to Aaron Margolis, AIA, ensuring continuity while opening an exciting new chapter for the practice.