Nashville, Tennessee, offers a harmonious blend of rich history, vibrant music culture, and a thriving culinary scene. It’s a city where Southern charm meets urban energy, and where residents appreciate scenic landscapes as well as architectural marvels. Known as “Music City,” it is an environment pulsating with creativity and life. For those who are looking to get an architectural job completed in this renowned city, the list below contains eight of the best architectural firms in Nashville. Each of these firms was chosen by our editorial staff based on their prestigious awards, extensive experience, and impressive portfolios.
EOA Architects
515 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206
With a 32-year legacy in the architectural field, EOA Architects merges innovative design with conscious regard for our global environment. Headed by Sheila Dial Barton, Michael Murdock, and Tracey Ford, it aims to humanize design, connecting past and present through architecture. Its team’s devotion to improving lives has earned it numerous accolades, including the 2022 Metro Nashville Historic Preservation Award and the 2021 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gulf States Honor Award. It has also gained significant press attention, including features in ArchDaily and Architect Magazine.
As an accredited member of AIA, EOA Architects ensures that each project sustains environmental responsibility while positively impacting lives. No matter the project size or complexity, it upholds a culture of exceptional client service and strives to create buildings and experiences that both respect and enhance the community.
Hastings Architecture
225 Polk Ave, Nashville, TN 37203
Founded in 1985, Hastings Architecture works with an unwavering dedication to its clients. With a robust portfolio spanning various scales, typologies, and styles, it remains committed to the community by creating thoughtful and impactful designs. Specifically, through the creative intersection of unique client narratives and specific project conditions, it crafts spaces that engage occupants and contribute positively to the environment. This approach has earned the firm numerous awards, including the AIA Tennessee (TN) 2022 Honor Award. It was also ranked as the Best Firm to Work For from Zweig Group, and as #3 in the United States on ARCHITECT Magazine‘s A50 list.
As a member of AIA, the firm holds a reputation as a nationally recognized practice. Through its vast array of services, it secures a prominent presence in architectural circles, with press features spanning Architect Magazine to World Architecture News. These impressive accomplishments have been achieved under the leadership of Founding Principal James O. Hastings.
Centric Architecture
35 Peabody Ste 305, Nashville, TN 37210
Established in 1955, Centric Architecture holds a venerable presence in Middle Tennessee. It embodies a pioneering spirit, balancing history with modernity and intertwining historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and innovative new design elements. With an impressive track record spanning over six decades, Centric Architecture boasts a young, dynamic team of leaders who are committed to innovative excellence.
Principal Gina Emmanuel’s commitment to sustainability is exemplified in her role as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) and her former position on the board of Middle Tennessee’s U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Under her leadership, the firm continually challenges conventional practice, striving to offer comprehensive client service and contributing to Nashville’s architectural narrative. As part of its remarkable journey, it has been featured in The Tennessean, Nashville Post, and The Business Journals, and received the 2020 AIA Middle TN Design Award.
rootARCH: architecture | interiors
753 Alloway St, Nashville, TN 37203
Founded in 2009, rootARCH: architecture | interiors is an award-winning architectural and interior design firm offering comprehensive services that include new construction, renovation, historic preservation, and sustainable building. It serves a wide range of sectors, such as residential, commercial, healthcare, and higher education.
Led by Principal John Root, a graduate of Auburn University, the firm seeks to provide innovative solutions with an approach that prioritizes teamwork. Rather than a specific design style, it focuses on finding the right balance between design, budget, and function, illustrating its commitment to meeting client needs. The firm highly values the relationships that it forms with customers, as evidenced by the significant percent of its work that comes from referrals and repeat business. As a member of AIA, the firm also stands as a testament to professional architectural standards and ethics, an attitude that has earned it features in publications such as Nashville Post.
Marcus DiPietro, Architect
4400 Ridgefield Way, Ste 416, Nashville, TN 37205
Since 1997, Marcus DiPietro has been designing residential structures that blend sophisticated simplicity with the warmth of natural materials. Marcus DiPietro is a University of Michigan alumnus with degrees in Architecture and Architectural Design Theory, and his Nashville-based firm utilizes wood, metal, and glass to create spaces that foster a deep connection with nature. Each home DiPietro handles is characterized by sightlines to natural surroundings and abundant natural light. During the design process, DiPietro’s clients get to experience a comprehensive 3-D virtual model of their future homes backed by detailed drawings. Whether the design is modern or traditional, urban or secluded, Marcus DiPietro ensures unity throughout the project.
The firm’s unique approach has earned it extensive industry recognition. It is affiliated with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), which is a testament to its professional standards and building science expertise. It has also been featured in publications such as The Architectural Digest, which highlighted the firm’s ability to foster client satisfaction through clear, shared visions and thoughtful design.
Ryan Thewes Architect
205 54th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
Established in 2009, Ryan Thewes Architect embodies a design philosophy that is deeply influenced by the Organic Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Led by the Ball State University alumnus Ryan Thewes, the firm’s design approach borrows from Wright’s principles of bold geometry, reverence for nature, and profound site integration. Emulating the natural growth of a seed, each architectural creation grows from an inherent essence, then builds its character logically and naturally from the inside out. This design process echoes the ‘Organic Architecture’ concept, a distinct, intuitive approach towards architecture that has become a hallmark of this NCARB-recognized firm.
Nashville Modern Architecture
This unique approach has earned the firm a strong reputation and a lot of positive recognition in the architectural industry. It was honored as the Modern Design Firm of the Year in the Southern USA by Build News in 2016, and also received the award for the Best Tennessee Contemporary Residential Project. The firm’s innovative work, characterized by the awe of nature and bold use of geometry, was further recognized in a 2019 feature by Stone World.
Four Square Design Studio
1201 4th Ave South, Ste 109, Nashville, TN 37210
Four Square Design Studio’s team boasts over three decades of combined experience, crafting designs that span custom homes, multi-family buildings, light commercial structures, home renovations, and home additions. Established in 2015, the Nashville-based firm leans on open communication, fostering a studio-style environment that encourages a fluid, collaborative design process. As a testament to its organic, thoughtful design approach, it received the Urban Land Institute’s “Excellence in Development” Award in 2017.
Four Square Design Studio is led by Brad Sayers and Andrew Heideman, who is a LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C). Under their leadership, this USGBC-accredited firm’s innovative work has been featured in reputable outlets such as the Nashville Business Journal and Nashville Post. With a focus on nurturing an open-minded and collaborative design process, Four Square Design Studio continues to make significant strides in delivering unique, meticulously-planned architectural solutions.
BAUER ASKEW Architecture
1615 16th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
Since its establishment in 1995, BAUER ASKEW Architecture has been combining architecture, planning, and interior design to create uniquely tailored solutions that surpass the conventional design paradigm. Driven by a passion for design excellence, the firm is committed to shaping engaging, lasting spaces that are perfectly suited to their function. The vision of principals Tom Bauer and Garry Askew, who are both AIA LEED APs and alumni of Auburn University, shapes the company’s approach to each design challenge.
Despite its noteworthy tenure of 28 years, the firm remains steadfastly innovative, as evidenced by its collection of Houzz awards. The firm’s impressive portfolio has also garnered attention from media outlets such as Shelbyville Times-Gazette, Columbia Daily Herald, and MTSU Sidelines. This list of accomplishments showcases BAUER ASKEW Architecture’s commitment to elevating the quality of architectural solutions through a dedication to client partnerships and design excellence.
