Benita Cooper

R.A. (PA, NJ, DE), NCARB, LEED AP

Principal Architect and Owner

Harvard Master of Architecture

Historic Property Architect, Township of Cherry Hill, NJ

Five-Time First Place Winner ASID PA East

Nice to Meet You!

Get to know our trailblazing leader here, see why we are different from any other architecture or design firm, and check out some of our recent press and awards.

Benita Cooper is an award-winning, Harvard-trained Registered Architect in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Design Professional, known regionally for her ability to transform any site, building, main street or neighborhood through thoughtful, meaningful, exquisite built structures that positively shape human experiences. Her accolades span the project categories of historic preservation, residential living spaces, hospitality and retail design. Her quality of work and community impact is consistently recognized by the mainstream and professional press.

Benita established Benita Cooper Design in 2008 in Philadelphia, PA, and expanded our firm to Haddonfield, NJ, in 2016. Today, our powerful full-service firm offers a complete menu of services: from architecture, interior design, outdoor/landscape design, engineering coordination, custom furniture design and build, small business branding, to construction management. What sets her apart is not only what she offers, but also how she leads - she is fiercely committed to integrity, quality, and client advocacy.

She is known and sought after by township/community/institution leaders and business owners as an expert in revitalizing neighborhoods across Greater Philadelphia and and New Jersey - and has been selected by the Township of Cherry Hill, NJ, to wear the title of Historic Property Architect. She is equally sought after by homeowners as an expert in handling any home or site - whether it is a minor budget-conscious refresh, major renovation/addition of any budget, luxury high-design upgrade, or brand new addition. Some of the most historically sensitive and prominent homes in Haddonfield, as well as the most admired anchor buildings on the main street, have been transformed by Benita, with an attention to detail and a care for history that has become her signature.

A true visionary and leader, Benita is ultimately a maker at heart. In 2018, she co-founded Coop Forge (formerly Coop Forge Mobile) to design and build high-quality custom furniture and architectural fixtures for BCD clients - both residential and commercial. By popular demand, CF now also executes the signage and brand elements of BCD’s most prominent commercial projects. This allows Benita to deliver complete quality control on any project, from start to finish, from big picture to tiny details.

Benita’s professional experience began in 1995. She earned her Master of Architecture from Harvard University, and her BA in Architecture and BA in Art from University of Washington. Her study abroad experiences included Chile, Italy and Mexico. Outside the classroom, she received her training not only at architectural offices, but also on construction sites and at furniture workshops. Driven to build and lead from a young age, she entered college at the age of 15, after moving from Hong Kong at 12.

To understand the stunning impact that Benita has made in communities through her work, we invite you to read on to peruse the accolades and awards that Benita and BCD have earned - from a stunning range of professional organizations in the country, and the Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Senates - and to enjoy a list of recent press and features.

The BCD Difference

For Benita and BCD, it is never just about the built spaces and furniture pieces. It is always about listening to you and supporting your aspirations. Whether we are talking about a simple refresh of a small room, a big reno of your entire home, a transformation of a “vanilla box” into the headquarters of your dream business, or building a brand new home to grow your family or a brand new building to house your growing business, we are here to take care of you. At the heart of all of the inspiration photos we sort through with you, your life and your dreams - the true expression of who you really are - are our real inspiration.

Our multi-talented team and our robust multi-disciplinary network have the complete range of knowledge, experience, resources to lead projects of any size in the region, and to consult on select projects in other cities. In addition, having worked with successful developers and real estate agents since day one, we can show you exactly how to spend your construction dollars to optimize your real estate return, at any budget.

More than an architecture firm. More than an interior design firm. More than a construction management company. More than a furniture shop. More than a branding consultant. Not only do we perform each aspect of our work with the highest level of care and integrity, we also weave in strategy, planning and management of all of your project’s moving parts with intelligence and street smarts. We are right by your side, advocating for and empowering you every step of the way.

Press and Awards

Philadelphia Business Journal writes, “Benita Cooper isn’t a stranger to awards. She and [her architecture firm] have reaped numerous accolades from national architecture organizations and magazines.” PBJ also gave Benita the prestigious title of Minority Business Leader, which is given each year to the region's (PA, NJ and DE) “top minority business leaders based on demonstrated business success.”

The New Jersey Senate honored Benita with a Ceremonial Legislative Resolution Certificate, describing Benita as a “woman of strong character and fortitude” with a “meritorious record of excellence within all the spheres of her life and work.”

The Pennsylvania Senate issued an official Honorary Certificate recognizing her leadership and contribution “in a meaningful way toward a better and more productive society.”

Philadelphia Magazine dedicated a full double-page spread to her work and influence in their 50th Anniversary Best of Philly Issue. Philadelphia Style Magazine named Benita one of the Faces of Design in their 25th Anniversary Issue.

American Society of Interior Designers PA East - which honors NJ, PA, DE by architects, designers, contractors annually - has awarded Benita as a First Place Winner, five times and counting.

In addition, Benita has also received awards from American Institute of Architects, American Architectural Foundation, American Society of Interior Designers, Houzz, Harvard University, and more. The Township of Cherry Hill, NJ, gave Benita the title of Historic Property Architect.

Benita’s work and features of Benita’s impact and career frequently appears in newspapers, magazines, blogs and podcasts, including: Harvard Design Magazine, Architectural Record, Society of American Registered Architects Magazine, American Society of Interior Designers, Foobooz, Eater, Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Style Magazine, Philadelphia Business Journal, SJ Mag, Haddonfield Living, Haddonfield Sun, Hazard Girls, Entrepreneur Next Door, Courier Post, USA Today, ABC News, Bold Journey Magazine and more.

Below is just some of the press that BCD and Benita have been a part of. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s support.

  • And, there is more! For our most recent features, please visit Instagram to scroll through our grid, and also browse our “Press” and “More Press” Highlights.

  • The Haddonfield Sun honors Benita’s career and accomplishments

  • Philadelphia Business Journal honors Benita with the prestigious Minority Business Leader Award

  • Philadelphia Style Magazine features Benita in their 25th Anniversary issue, as one of the selected Faces of Design

  • Philadelphia Magazine dedicates a double-page spread in their 50th Anniversary Best of Philly issue, to BCD’s design of a unique salon experience

  • Harvard University Graduate School of Design honors Benita with an alumni spotlight

  • University of Washington School of Art honors Benita with an alumni spotlight

  • Haddonfield Living features the completion transformation of Benita’s own center hall colonial home.

  • Haddonfield Living features Benita’s transformation of a “dated and uninspiring” house into a “work of art”.

  • Hazard Girls Podcast features Benita with an interview about her leadership and accomplishments in a male-dominated field

  • Entrepreneurs Next Door Podcast features Benita with an interview about her business and leadership approach

  • USA Today’s regional affiliate NewJersey.com invites Benita to reflect on the impact of COVID on architecture and interior design

  • Yahoo Finance announces Benita’s involvement in a highly anticipated realty office and community lounge project in downtown Haddonfield

  • What’s Cooking, a podcast by KYW News Radio, gives a look at four new food establishments designed by Benita

  • Billy Penn announces the launch of a cafe design by Benita in one of Philly’s most iconic buildings

  • NJ Pen unveils Benita’s design sketches for a distillery

  • Fireclay Tile features BCD’s design of Historical Society of Haddonfield

  • Fireclay Tile features BCD’s design of a sunlit bakery

  • Fireclay Tile features a BCD kitchen: Timeless in Tusk

  • Fireclay Tile features a BCD powder room: Birds Over the Salton Sea

  • Fireclay Tile features a BCD bathroom: Delightful Details in Foggy Morning

  • Fireclay Tile features a BCD kitchen: Interlocking Tile with High Impact

  • Fireclay Tile features a BCD kitchen: Chaine Homme and 4x4 French Linen Kitchen Backsplash

  • Philadelphia Inquirer spotlights BCD’s design of a new bar

  • Philadelphia Magazine & Foobooz spotlights BCD’s design of a flagship cafe

  • Courier Post spotlights BCD’s vision for a gourmet snack store

  • Courier Post spotlights BCD’s vision for a neighborhood restaurant

  • The Haddonfield Sun shows how Benita uses design as youth empowerment and community engagement

  • Floor Covering Internationals features Benita as a design influencer

  • The Fill blog features BCD project as a best practice example

Community Impact by BCD and Beyond

Besides leading BCD, Benita is a locally, regionally and nationally recognized educator and community leader within the design and construction fields, and beyond.

She has taught college level studios and professional practice courses at University of Washington and University of Pennsylvania, and has been a design critic at Rhode Island School of Design, Boston Architectural College, Philadelphia University and Drexel University. In addition, she regularly leads architecture workshops and panel discussions for youth interested in STEM careers, with community partners like Hazard Girls, Haddonfield CARES, Haddonfield Public Library, Girls Who Start, Markeim Arts Center, Kohler and Haddonfield Memorial High School.

Besides designing buildings and furniture, Benita enjoys playing soccer with her husband and sons, and relaxes by painting. She is also the President of an internationally recognized nonprofit organization called The Best Day of My Life So Far, which she founded in 2009 inspired by her late grandma. The organization’s mission is to provide a cure for social isolation, by empowering older adults to share life stories and inspiring human connection across generational and social divides.

Whether it is through her design or nonprofit work, Benita is fully committed to improving people’s lives and building genuine communities.