Cary has a competitive housing market and most of the properties are owned by local residents. Residential properties in this Triangle municipality consist of single-family homes, apartment buildings, and townhomes. Most of the structures were built between the 1970s and the 1990s. Recently, many people have been moving to Cary and its neighboring areas for the vibrant community. The city’s population has significantly grown in the last two decades creating a diverse group of communities.
A lot of residential architects are, as a result, operating out of Cary, Raleigh, Garner, and Durham. This list features ten of the best in the area. These architects were chosen based on their proven track record and comprehensive lists of clientele. Some of the companies have been recognized with numerous awards and features in the press.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
Lineberry Architectural Group
2321 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 201 Raleigh, NC 27607
Since its establishment in 1998, Lineberry Architectural Group has been providing architectural design and planning services to Raleigh residents. The firm offers home architectural design as well as commercial, restaurant, retail, and preservation with offices located in Raleigh and Charlotte. The firm’s style of work focuses on contemporary and cross-gabled homes. They have won preservation awards in Princeton and Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and Key West, Florida.
This American Institute of Architects (AIA) accredited firm was founded by Tony Lineberry who graduated with a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Oregon. Before studying architecture, Tony took up Environmental Design. He is a registered architect in several states including North Carolina, New Jersey, Florida, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Tony has built up a talented team of professionals. Under his wing are Melinda James and Philip Safriet. Melinda studied Environmental Design at North Carolina State University, she serves as the senior designer and project manager, and she is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate. Philip, on the other hand, is an AIA-accredited architect with a degree in Architecture from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Tony was also joined by Bridget McDuffie who has been with the firm since the start in 1998. She manages the office and its operations, including scheduling, presentation, and systems. With 19 years of experience, Lineberry Architectural Group has become one of the most trusted architectural firms in Cary.
Oak City Architecture
4736 Radcliff Road Raleigh, NC 27609
Recognized for its style of modern ranch and traditional designs, Oak City Architecture has risen quickly to become one of the most well-respected architectural firms in Raleigh. Even though Oak City has been operating for only a little over two years, it has a talented and experienced team that continues to guide it to consistent success. Head architect Jennifer Heron Brock is the driving force behind the company. She has more than 20 years of architectural experience. She is certified with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in Washington D.C. and she is a registered architect in North Carolina. Alongside her partner, Tara Henderlite who handles the firm’s Design & Marketing, they have led the firm to become a top professional in the area.
During her career, Jennifer has worked with numerous clients including schools, religious institutions, government agencies, and homeowners. Her design principles fold together the importance of collaboration between the architect and the client and a relentless focus on the details. She has worked on various types of community projects, residential remodeling, additions, and new home construction.
The firm’s design process involves a consultation, design proposal, contract agreement, presentation of design options, drawings, and building plans. By establishing a hands-on approach in every project, Jennifer and her team make sure that all aspects of the design are implemented accordingly. The team is available for on-site construction visits to work out the details.
Design Line Studios
PO Box 1928, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Established in 2009, Design Line Studios provides homeowners across Cary with a wide range of architectural and design services. The firm’s expertise is divided into architecture, interior design, and branding solutions. Much of its previous work showcases the firm’s expertise in creating unique and functional spaces for home offices and commercial properties. Best known for its distinctive style in Colonial ranch and bungalow homes, Design Line Studios has built an extensive list of clientele.
The architects and designers of Design Line Studios are tenured professionals in the industry and have worked on various local, regional, national, and international projects. The firm’s design principle is based on building a relationship with the client first and collaborating with them to create the most ideal space that will suit their lifestyle and needs. Being in business for 11 years has allowed the firm to establish a strong relationship between contractors, suppliers, and the community. That drive towards community comes from the leadership of principal Brian Jones. Brian graduated as a Cum Laude at North Carolina State University with a degree in Architecture.
Design Line Studios is set up to assist clients with all their building needs. At the same time, the firm routinely creates and manages the brand identity of a number of corporate clients. The designs are curated to reflect the architectural structure of the space. Other services provided include code checking, renovation, permit management, construction management, and prototype development.
Craig Dean Architecture
412 Woodburn Road Suite 002, Raleigh, NC 27605
Raleigh-based firm Craig Dean Architecture has been in business since 2000. For 20 years, the firm has been serving Raleigh residents with a variety of architectural and planning services. The firm’s clients include residential, commercial, recreational, resort, retail, and civic properties. The firm’s style of work embodies a Colonial design and structure.
Craig Dean Architecture was founded by Craig Dean who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry. He runs the operations and manages the design team while overseeing the financial department, production, planning, and human resources. Craig takes part in all aspects of the company to ensure that all operations run smoothly. Having worked for various industries, Craig Dean Architecture has developed a diverse portfolio that includes clients from the public sector, recreation, resort, food, retail, commercial projects, and residential communities.
Craig has built a team of talented and skilled individuals who have served in the architecture and construction industry for a number of years. The team approaches each project with careful planning and attention to detail. As an experienced firm, Craig and his team have a firm grasp on the key elements that make a project successful. With a solid track of successful projects, Craig Dean Architecture has become one of the most respected and reliable architectural firms in Raleigh.
Grant Bizios Architecture
1502 West NC 54, Suite 602, Durham, NC 27707
The work of Grant Bizios Architecture is easily recognizable due to the firm’s specialty in designing traditional, contemporary, and cottage homes. Since the company was established in 1990, Grant Bizios has been providing Durham residents with architectural design and planning solutions. The firm was previously known as Bizios Architect before the name was changed to Grant Bizios Architecture.
Having been in business for 30 years, the firm has worked on a diverse clientele that includes small residences, large estates, religious institutions, renovations, remodels, additions, and new construction. Its portfolio has allowed the company to diversify its expertise as well. By continuously providing high-quality design and planning services, the firm has established itself as the go-to architectural firm in Durham as well as its neighboring cities.
The firm was founded by Brian Grant who received his Master in Architecture at North Carolina State University’s College of Design. His works have been featured in The News Observer. The AIA and LEED accredited firm also specializes in customizing spaces with sustainable and energy-efficient practices. Using a personalized and holistic approach when dealing with projects, Brian and his team are able to create creative yet efficient designs that fulfill the needs of the clients.
Oxide Architecture
217 Dexter Place Raleigh, NC 27605
Oxide Architecture specializes in creating contemporary style homes for Raleigh residents and has been in business since 2006. The AIA accredited firm has been providing architectural design and planning services to the community for 14 years. Oxide Architecture uses a unique style of combining architecture and building techniques while incorporating environmental and social aspects into the design.
As an architect and builder, the company’s vision centers on creating sustainable homes that clients can enjoy. At the same time, the firm ensures that the design and construction fit clients’ lifestyles. The firm’s design process focuses on a design-build methodology and operates through building information modeling. By merging the traditional practices of architecture, design, and construction, the firm is able to create a unique and creative space.
The firm is known for its expertise in dealing with concrete, metal, wood, and glass. Its design process involves a preliminary design, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction development. Oxide Architecture was founded by Charles Holden; he has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Charles is a Cum Laude graduate of Architecture at North Carolina State University and also holds degrees in Environmental Design and Philosophy. He also co-founded the award-winning firm, Tonic Design/Tonic Construction and has worked on numerous projects in the years prior to starting Oxide Architecture.
Phillip Jefferson Design
406 Longview St. Garner NC 27529
As an architectural and design firm, Phillip Jefferson Design offers design, consulting, residential architecture, additions, renovations, and web design services to homeowners across North Carolina. Since its foundation in 2009, the firm has worked on numerous projects focusing on a mix of traditional, contemporary, cross-gabled, and Colonial homes.
The AIA accredited firm was established by Phillip Jefferson who earned a Master’s degree in Architecture from North Carolina State University. His focus is on urban design which allows him to create creative yet practical designs in residential, commercial, retail, restaurant, and office spaces. Philip is also an associate professor at Wake Tech Community College and serves on the board of directors at the AIA Triangle Section. One of his notable accomplishments is the American Institute of Healthcare and Fitness located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Some of his other projects include renovations and constructions throughout the Southern areas of the U.S.
With 11 years of serving North Carolina residents, Phillip Jefferson Design has made its way into becoming one of the leading residential architectural firms in North Carolina. Having worked on numerous projects and a diverse group of clientele, the firm is known for providing high-quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service to clients regardless of the size of the project.
Dawn Christine Architect, PLLC
701 East Chatham Street, Suite 205, Cary, NC 27511
Dawn Christine Architect, PLLC has been in business for 6 years offering a wide range of architectural design services that include conceptual design, 3D renderings, and engineered construction drawing sets. Many of the firm’s projects showcase its expertise when it comes to crafting Colonial, Craftsman, Modern, and bungalow homes. As a full-service architectural firm, Dawn Christine Architect also offers custom design for new construction, high-quality renovations and additions, for both residential and commercial spaces.
The firm’s design process starts with project conceptualization. The team will walk clients through the various design phases of the project from beginning to construction. As an experiential architect, Dawn takes into consideration the various aspects of the space and turns a blank canvas into a highly functional space that reflects the lifestyle of the homeowners.
The company was founded by Dawn Christine who graduated with a Master’s degree in Architecture at North Carolina State University and studied Architectural Design at the University of Florida. She also serves as the primary architect and CEO of the firm. Dawn Christine Architect has been featured in shows such as “Beyond the Block” and “Business Talk Radio 1.” The AIA and LEED-certified award-winning firm has also received numerous recognitions including the 2020 Residential Interior Private Residence Award, the BUILD 2020 Architecture Award, and the 2020 Rethinking The Future Award.
Smith Sinnett Architecture
4600 Lake Boone Trail Suite 205 Raleigh, NC 27607
The award-winning architectural firm, Smith Sinnett Architecture, has been serving Raleigh residents with a wide range of design and planning solutions since its establishment in 1976. Over the past 44 years, Smith Sinnett has gradually become one of the top residential architects in Raleigh and its surrounding area. The firm was built by John Sinnett and John Smith who are both members of the AIA. Since its inception, the firm’s design style has been increasingly recognized for its unique perspective when it comes to transforming Colonial homes.
While the firm caters to residential properties, many of its past projects are geared towards commercial spaces. Its team of architects and designers is made up of creative problem solvers that are trained to find solutions to problems. With a combination of experience and knowledge, the design team is able to come up with innovative designs that reflect the client’s lifestyle while serving the requirements of the space.
The designs of Smith Sinnett Architecture have been recognized numerous times by AIA. The firm has received the 2017 Triangle Design Award, the 2014 Triangle President’s Award for Firm of the Year, and the NC Design Award in 2014 for its work in the Morrow Mountain State Park Boathouse.
The Raleigh Architecture Company
716 S. Saunders St. Raleigh, NC 27603
The Raleigh Architecture Company was established in 2012 to be the premier residential architectural firm in Raleigh. With less than a decade of experience in the industry, the firm was able to develop a reputation for creating remarkable contemporary-style homes across North Carolina. The Raleigh Construction Company works as the firm’s partner in building construction using modern practices and high-quality workmanship. While the two companies serve as separate entities, both have the same goal of providing exceptional design and build services to clients.
As a licensed architect and general contractor, the firm is able to provide cost-efficient design solutions to help homeowners achieve their vision. The company uses high-quality materials and maximizes the skills and expertise of its contractors and suppliers. The Raleigh Architecture was founded by Robby Johnston who has received many awards for taking part in the first LEED-certified buildings in North Carolina.
The award-winning firm has also been recognized on numerous occasions. The Raleigh Architecture recently received the 2020 AIA South Atlantic Regional Honor Award, the 2020 AIA NC Honor Award, and the 2020 NC Merit Award. The AIA accredited firm has been featured in various publications, including the Triangle Downtowner Magazine Issue, Triangle Business Journal, Our State Magazine, and Raleigh Magazine.
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
