Fayetteville, Arkansas, is the entertainment hub of Northwest Arkansas and the ideal location to explore everything the region has to offer. It has long been the iconic center for fun in Northwest Arkansas as the home of the University of Arkansas and its renowned Razorbacks. The city has been named one of the best five locations to live in the United States three years in a row, and one visit will prove why.
Nowadays, the city has been recognized for its outstanding restaurants, arts and entertainment options, surrounding natural beauty, yearly events, and sights that bring people back season after season. The below list includes some of the best residential architects in the area. Whether you’re a current resident, want to improve your home, or plan to move, this list can help you get the job done. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in Fayetteville, check out our cost guide article.
modus studio
15 N. Church Ave. #102, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Modus Studio is a progressive design collective that has created a broad range of compelling, sustainable, and place-making projects since its inception in 2008. Together with their companion fabrication lab modus shop, the firm bridges the profession with architectural, graphic, prototyping, and fabrication work.
Under the direction of partners Chris Baribeau, Josh Siebert, and Jason Wright, Modus Studio was named an “Emerging Voice” by the Architectural League of New York, selected as a top 50 design firm in the U.S. by Architect Magazine, and has received over 50 national and regional design awards. Their work has been featured in numerous books and publications, including Architectural Record, Architect, CNN, Dezeen, Dwell, and The Washington Post.
DEMX Architecture
104 N. East Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701
DEMX Architecture is a Northwest Arkansas-based architecture and design firm with experience ranging from small residential to large commercial and institutional projects. As a design-focused architecture firm in Fayetteville, the firm was founded by Tim de Noble, former department head of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, and managing principal, Tim Maddox, AIA.
Over the past decade, DEMX has been awarded for both its residential and commercial projects. Its principals have also been acknowledged for their designs and distinct efforts in the industry. Some of these honors are the 2018 Honor Award by the AIA, Arkansas Chapter Design Awards, and being hailed as the 2018 Alumni Design Award Winner by the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design for their Sutcliffe Residence project.
Skiles Architect, PA
444 Spring Park Ln., Fayetteville, AR 72703
Albert Skiles founded Skiles Architect, PA, in northwest Arkansas in 1981 to serve its customers and produce a successfully constructed project through a collaborative approach. This architecture, interior design, and planning firm specializes in building farmhouse, craftsman, and mid-century-styled spaces.
Albert is a fellow of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas and has built over 300 new buildings, refurbishments, and remodels in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas, emphasizing residential design. He now works with co-owner Lisa Knemeyer Skiles in leading the firm, who, aside from holding a license in architecture, also acquired a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Accredited Professional (AP) recognition with a Homes Specialty and International Council of Shopping Center CMD designation. Projects with Lisa as design lead have been featured by Dwell Magazine, Arkansas Life, At Home in Arkansas, Citiscapes, AY Magazine, AWM, and archdaily.com.
Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects
509 W. Spring St. Ste. 150, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects is a full-service architectural, interior design, and programming company with offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville acclaimed nationwide for design excellence and inventiveness. As one of the state’s pioneer architectural firms to promote sustainable construction, it views each project as a “living” structure that uses as little energy as possible.
Under the oversight of founding principals Joe Stanley and Steve Kinzler, the firm helped establish the Arkansas Chapter of the USGBC, one of the nation’s first chapters, and hired Arkansas’ first sustainable design specialist. Over the years, it has become a frontrunner in the sustainable design movement, lending its skills to design and construction experts across the state. The company is also an honoree of the 2018 AIA Merit Award in the Arkansas Awards for Design Excellence for their project on Two Rivers Point Residence.
Jennings + Santa-Rita Architects PLLC
619 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Founded in 2015, Jennings + Santa-Rita Architects offers a full range of architectural services consisting of design, design development, and services during construction for all types of projects, especially residences and chapels. The small size of its office allows for a carefully controlled environment for design and project development.
Following organic design principles, the company provides synergy between the building and its natural landscape, a strong interaction between the different aspects of a structure, extensive use of natural light, and authentic expression of materials.
Walter Jennings received his Bachelor of Architecture and Minors in Physics and Studio Art from the University of Arkansas in 2001. His green and sustainable architecture interests led to his LEED accreditation in 2002. Lori Yazwinski Santa-Rita acquired her Bachelor of Architecture from the Honors College of the School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas in 2005. The emphasis of her studies was on history and urbanism.
Fugitt and Associates, Architects
1200 E. Joyce Blvd. 4 Ste. 601, Fayetteville, AR 72703
Fugitt and Associates, Architects is a full-service architectural practice that specializes in commercial business, multi-family, and single-family projects among others. It focuses on quality and value for each project, with the architectural concept of fostering an environment that is useful for the user, economical for the owner, and classic in its aesthetic.
Kim Fugitt and Keith Wheeler, both members of the AIA, currently lead the firm. Kim has been a registered architect for 35 years and is currently registered to practice architecture in 8 states. He is also a licensed realtor and general contractor in Arkansas. He has acted as an architect, developer, and contractor for numerous developments in northwest Arkansas. Keith began his internship with Fugitt and Associates, Architects, after graduating. Under the tutelage of Kim Fugitt, he has gained experience working on projects in 6 states. With their direction, the firm’s Trumbo-Whiteside Residence project was recognized by the Home Arkansas Magazine in 2018.
Verdant Studio
216 W. Birch St., Ste. 101, Rogers, AR 72756
Verdant Studio is a Northwest Arkansas-based woman-owned firm of licensed architects, artists, designers, and consultants. The Studio deploys a unique combination of expertise in art, design, architecture, and research. A boutique firm with architects licensed in 49 states, Verdant Studio enjoys a record of producing creative, efficient, and sustainable solutions that result in beautiful buildings and enhanced public spaces, with the experience to see them through all phases of design and construction. Verdant Studio specializes in commercial and residential architecture, art in public spaces, curatorial services, feasibility studies, and urban planning.
Jessica Hester leads Verdant Studio as CEO and Principal Architect. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Architecture, Jessica earned a Master of Science in Design Research at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Design. She co-founded an architecture practice in Rome, Georgia, selling before returning to Northwest Arkansas – where she founded Verdant Studio in 2015. The entrepreneurial grit and creative spirit at the core of Verdant Studio saw her named among NWA Talk Business and Politics’ 2021 class of Forty Under 40 and Arkansas’s Money and Politics Power Women 2021. Jessica is affiliated with various organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), The National Association of Realtors, the Congress for New Urbanism, and she serves as the Chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) of The Urban Land Institute (ULI-NWA).
Flintlock Ltd. Co.
128 E. Lafayette St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Founded in 2015, Flintlock Ltd. Co. is a multidisciplinary consulting firm based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The firm thrives on operating with a team approach, bringing together owners, builders, and professionals in a collaboration of knowledge, needs, and efforts. It was founded by architect and landscape architect Allison Thurmond Quinlan, a Registered Landscape Architect, a member of the AIA and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Flintlock specializes in architecture, master planning, and landscape, geared to be competitive and effective for any size and scope of the project. Its guiding principles are professional integrity, creative problem solving, environmental sensitivity, technical knowledge, and the goal of making design and construction clear, concise, and fun for clients.
AFHJ Architects
100 W. Center Ste. 302, Fayetteville, AR 72702
AFHJ Architects is an award-winning professional corporation with roots in Northwest Arkansas since 1973. Located on Fayetteville’s downtown square, the firm specializes in architecture, interior design, and planning for its clients in Arkansas and surrounding states. Over the years, it has acquired diverse experience in various projects ranging from residential and private projects to institutional, commercial, educational, and other public developments.
With the guidance of owner and president Laleh Amirmoez, its experience has varied in scope from small projects to up to $35 million in construction cost. Laleh graduated from the University of Arkansas and joined Hailey Powers Froning, the oldest active firm, in Fayetteville in 1983. She was elevated to partnership as president and CEO of Hailey Amirmoez Architects in 1992. Today, Laleh successfully leads AFJH to greater heights. Under her leadership, the firm was honored with the Best Designed Home Award by the Architecture by At Home in Arkansas Magazine and the Downtown Living Award by 5 West Mountain.
WDD Architects
2434 E. Joyce Blvd. Ste. 10, Fayetteville, AR 72703
WDD Architects’ award-winning team has served Arkansas since 1919, producing timeless architecture based on their clients’ vision, sense of place, and purpose. With offices in Central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas, the firm is one of the largest architecture firms in the state. Its services include architecture, interior design, and planning for spaces with craftsman, mid-century, and modern contemporary designs.
This century-old award-winning architectural firm has built a legacy interwoven with Arkansas’s history. Its success is a combination of the expertise of its skilled team and the leadership of Richard Alderman as Chairman of the Board, Brad Chilcote as Vice President, and Jay Clark as Vice President, BIM Studio Director, and LEED Coordinator. WDD’s combined effort also resulted in various press features, including those from UARK News and Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Lauri Matisse Studio
121 S. School Ave. #4, Fayetteville, AR. 72701
Lauri Matisse Studio is an award-winning boutique architecture and interior design firm that originated from Los Angeles but is now in Northwest Arkansas. Specializing in custom residential, historical, sustainable, and unique commercial projects, the firm’s services include architecture, interior design, planning, and the creation of total design concepts.
With over a decade of experience and background creating French Mediterranean, Tuscan, and Spanish-style homes, Lauri Matisse Studio was featured in CitiScapes Magazine for its residential remodel project in 2019. The company has offices in Northwest Arkansas, Los Angeles, and Nebraska. Its founder graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and attended the Architectural Association of London. She has worked for several award winning Architectural firms before starting her own.
David W. McKee Architects PLLC
545 W. Center St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, David W. McKee Architects PLLC is a design-focused architecture company specializing in architecture, interior design, and planning. It currently consists of a staff of four, including two licensed architects. As principal designer, David McKee is a lifelong resident of Northwest Arkansas and has been involved in designing and developing some of the regions’ most iconic buildings. Other firm members bring various experiences and skills to contribute, including graphic design, CAD, and project management.
The company’s current projects include a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional commissions focusing on user-friendly planning, sustainable design strategies, and maintenance-friendly detailing. Various organizations also recognized its exceptional works. Some of these recognitions include the Honor Award from the Arkansas Chapter AIA and an Alumni Award from the Fay Jones School of Architecture for their 315 project.
Park Company Architects, Inc.
2025 Leeper Dr., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Park Company Architects, Inc. (Parkco) is an intentionally small architecture firm in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Its work includes residential new construction, additions and remodels, historical renovations and additions, religious facilities, space planning, civic and commercial buildings, clinics, and foodservice facilities.
Under the oversight of president Bret Park, Park Company Architects, Inc. is composed of LEED Green Associates and frequently works with LEED-accredited professionals as team members. It is committed to facilitating an open, inclusive, and truthful design experience. Its team also believes that its clients know more than it does about their own needs and dreams. It believes in its work and believes that sometimes, the difference between an average project and an environmentally responsible one is just a few simple choices.
Bradley Edwards Architect
31 E. Center St. Ste. 200-I, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Established in 2008, Bradley Edwards Architect is a boutique architecture firm located in Northwest Arkansas. Its work focuses on custom modern residential, restaurant, and hospitality design, offering architecture, interior design, and planning services. The firm is headed by its namesake, a graduate of the University of Arkansas and a member of the AIA.
Known for its modern contemporary, minimalism, craftsman-style projects, Bradley Edwards Architect has been featured in ArchDaily for its outstanding work. It has also consistently impressed its clientele by meeting and sometimes even exceeding their expectations.
Elong Architecture + Planning
211 N. Block St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Founded in 2018, Elong Architecture + Planning focuses on residential builds and small commercial projects. Serving California and Northwest Arkansas, it specializes in architecture, interior design, and planning for spaces with craftsman and mid-century design styles.
All architecture occupies public space, and owner and principal Eric Long’s ability to engage with all interested parties is one of the many strengths he brings to projects in Northwest Arkansas. He acquired a degree in architecture from the University of Oklahoma and transferred to the Pacific Coast, working mainly on residential, hospitality, and commercial projects. Working in California’s more regulated building environment, with its many review boards and community activist organizations, his experiences have honed his capacity to thrive in a collaborative atmosphere.
