Nice to Meet You!

Benita is an award-winning Registered Architect in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Design Professional. She also wears the official title of Historic Property Architect from Township of Cherry Hill, NJ. Her professional experience began in 1995. She holds an MArch from Harvard University, and a BA in Architecture and a BA in Art from University of Washington. Her study abroad experiences included Chile, Italy and Mexico. Outside the classroom, she received her training at architectural offices, 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.

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.” She holds the prestigious PBJ 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 NJ Senate also 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 PA Senate issued an official Certificate recognizing her leadership and contribution “in a meaningful way toward a better and more productive society.” Benita has also received prestigious awards from American Institute of Architects, American Architectural Foundation, Houzz, Harvard University, and more. Her work has been awarded First Place by the American Society of Interior Designers.

The BCD Difference

Benita established Benita Cooper Design in 2008, and today leads this full-service firm, offering a complete menu of services: from architecture, interior design, engineering coordination, landscape coordination, to construction management. She is known and recognized as an expert in revitalizing neighborhoods in Philadelphia and main streets throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania towns. She is also a founder of Coop Forge Mobile, BCD’s production arm, specializing in the custom design and production of high-quality furniture and architectural fixtures.

For 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

Benita’s work has been featured in a range of newspapers, magazines, blogs and podcasts, such as Harvard Design Magazine, Architectural Record, Society of American Registered Architects Magazine, American Society of Interior Designers Website, Foobooz, Eater, Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Business Journal, Haddonfield Living, Haddonfield Sun, Hazard Girls, Entrepreneur Next Door, Courier Post, USA Today, ABC News and more. We are grateful for everyone’s support!

The Haddonfield Sun honors Benita’s career and accomplishments
Philadelphia Business Journal honors Benita with the prestigious Minority Business Leader Award
Harvard University Graduate School of Design honors Benita with an alumni spotlight
University of Washington School of Art honors Benita with an alumni spotlight
Hazard Girls Podcast features Benita with an interview about her leadership and accomplishments in a male-dominated field
Haddonfield Living features Benita’s transformation of a “dated and uninspiring” house into a “work of art”.
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 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

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.