Mississippi is known for its affordable residential resources. The housing costs are relatively cheaper compared to other states, sitting at less than 40% of the national median price for homes in the country. Food, personal necessities, and transportation costs are also easier on the wallet. Families with children also enjoy lower expenditures for daycares and nannies. The cost of higher education for schools in the state is also lower than in most states. A university student can get a full year of class for less than $10,000. Combining that fact with the state’s affordable housing makes Mississippi a good place to consider for parents and independent students.
Our editorial team has compiled a list of the best residential architects to help those interested in moving to the state. Each firm is experienced with providing cost-effective services without cutting corners for style and quality.
Duvall Decker Architects, P.A.
2915 North State St., Jackson, MS 39216
Duvall Decker Architects creates designs that are geared toward improving the lives of people and communities. The firm’s projects are designed to cater to human wellbeing, education, and culture. The firm’s work has earned it several awards and nominations, and the Oakridge House in Jackson is a good example. The Oakridge House was a 2020 ArchDaily’s Building of the Year Nominee, the 2016 National AIA Housing Award winner, the 2013 AIA Gulf States Region Honor Award winner, and the winner of the 2012 AIA Mississippi Honor Award. It’s a three-bedroom single-family home with living spaces, a detached screen porch, and a pool. Duvall Decker used an L-shape plan that features a public wing with a courtyard and a private backyard. Its design takes the homeowner’s lifestyle into account and is environmentally friendly. The interior spaces receive abundant daylighting, which allows the home to produce energy and heated water. The firm also collaborated with Structural Engineering Associates, LLC, Blanton Engineering, PC, and The Power Source, LLC.
Many of Duvall Decker’s services combine the principles of architectural design, community planning, real estate development, and facility management. Principals Anne Marie Duvall Decker—National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA)—and Roy T. Decker—FAIA, NCARB, the American Planning Association (APA), and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)—foster an environment of collaboration to bring out the potential of creative work and meaningful environments.
Beard + Riser Architects PLLC
1739 University Ave. #305 Oxford, MS 38655
Beard + Riser Architects produces designs that balance creativity and thoughtfulness with respect for budgetary and scheduling constraints. Principal architects John Beard and Dale Riser, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP) work to provide cost-effective design solutions to each of their clients. The firm provides clients in Greenwood and the surrounding areas with services for new construction, renovations, additions, feasibility studies, and special reports.
The Spring Hill House in Webster County features salvaged materials, features for solar control, and mature trees and garden remnants. Beard + Riser Architects takes inspiration from the Southern shed vernacular for designing the framing and roofing. Both the house’s orientation and screened porch provide homeowners with solar control and air circulation. This protects the house from the summer heat while providing natural light. The Spring Hill House received the 2010 AIA Mississippi Honor Award and was named Best of Show.
John Harrison Jones Architect
431 South Main Street, Suite 102 Memphis, TN 38103
John Harrison Jones Architect’s designs are known for catering to a client’s needs, lifestyle, and vision. The firm collaborates with clients to ensure each project results in creative solutions and spaces for people to live, rest, and work.
Owner and principal architect John H. Jones (AIA) leads John Harrison Jones Architect in producing environmentally responsive and client-centric designs. Jones has worked with clients in the custom residential and commercial sectors. His projects can be found in Memphis and the surrounding areas.
Watters Architecture
133 Davis Avenue, Suite K, Sazerac Square, Pass Christian, MS 39571
Watters Architecture is a Pass Christian-based firm working to make the design and construction process easier for clients. Its team provides designs and services that are specific to a client’s needs and lifestyle. Principal architect Leah McBride Watters (AIA) (NCARB) (LEED AP), ensures that clients can understand the process so that they can provide their input.
Watters describes the approach as investing in clients. Watters Architecture operates as being part of the community it works in and sets its goal to provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions. One of the firm’s residential projects is the Second Street Cottage in Pass Christian, MS. Watters Architecture renovated the spaces that were affected by Hurricane Katrina into a modern lifestyle cottage. The firm worked on lighting, plumbing fixtures, and interior finishes.
Weaver Architects
4465 I-55 North, Suite 301, Jackson, MS 39206
Weaver Architects specializes in residential architecture for Jackson and the surrounding areas. Owner and principal architect John A. Weaver (AIA) creates designs based on the philosophy that homes should reflect clients and their lifestyles. His designs vary between the Traditional, Beaux-Arts, Colonial Revival, and Modern Contemporary styles. Weaver uses classical architecture to restore homes while including modern and original elements. The firm offers services for historic renovation and modern new construction.
Sam R. Coker
118 Green Glades, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Architect Sam R. Coker, NCARB, specializes in creating residential spaces for families. His projects often feature the modern contemporary, farmhouse, and European styles. The designs he produces are known for having great views and distinctive details like natural materials and abundant natural light. Coker’s works can be found in Ridgeland and the surrounding areas.
Belinda Stewart Architects
61 N. Dunn Street, Eupora, MS 39744
Belinda Steward Architects was founded to restore the beauty and importance of buildings and communities. Belinda J. Stewart, FAIA, believes that architecture can inspire, build ethics, and highlight the history of a place. She has worked on church, commercial, community, courthouse, culture, depots, education, government, historic reports, interior, new construction, preservation, and residential projects.
Most of Belinda Stewart Architects’ works can be found in Europa and the surrounding areas. The Sundbeck Residence can be found in the Old Waverly community in Mississippi. Steward worked on this project for a repeat client. Its design takes into account the client’s love for gardening, nature, and light. The firm made sure that its design was comfortable and felt similar to the client’s old home.
LeBatard Architecture, PLLC
311 Eastview Drive, Biloxi, MS 39531
LeBatard Architecture, PLLC collaborates with clients to create designs that suit their tastes and lifestyles. The firm is known for its creative design solutions as well as its use of historical elements. Principal architect Michael LeBatard (AIA) guides the firm with a deep understanding of the design and construction process. That knowledge allows him to guide the client properly throughout the project.
LeBatard’s goal is to complete projects that satisfy clients while being respectful of functionality and budgetary and scheduling constraints. The firm makes sure to create an environment where its team and clients can work and communicate effectively.
Dunaway Williams Architects
1804 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39202
Dunaway Williams Architects specializes in medical, residential, and commercial architecture for Mississippi and the Southeast. One of its residential projects is the Gnam Residence in Ridgeland. The Gnam Residence is built in a French country manor style. It has living spaces, a study, and a master bedroom/bath suite. The second floor has two children’s rooms with bathrooms and a walk-in closest. There is also a game room, a home theater, and a mother-in-law’s suite with private elevator access.
Co-owners Carley Crigler Dunaway, AIA, and Scott Williams, AIA, founded Dunaway Williams Architects to serve the growing healthcare hub in Mississippi. They then expanded their work to include business and industrial buildings, educational facilities, and personal homes.
H.H. Furr Architecture & Development, PLLC
1716 Government Street, Suite F, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
H.H. Furr Architecture & Development, PLLC has been serving the downtown Ocean Springs area since 2001. The firm specializes in municipal, retail, restaurant, office, mixed-use, commercial, townhomes, and custom residential projects. Most of its projects can be found on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Principal Henry Furr collaborates with clients throughout each project. Clients know H.H. Furr Architecture & Development for its ability to understand the needs of clients and provide solutions for each problem. The firm’s designs balance lifestyles, needs, functionality, and style.
