Georgia, also known as the Peach State, is home to some of the world’s firsts in education, as well as a thriving media and agribusiness. Its striking landscapes and booming economy make it a lovely area to live in, with plenty of open space, excellent schools, and exciting community activities. For those looking to renovate their homes in Georgia and those considering relocating to the region, the finest residential architects are necessary.
To help, the below list includes the best residential architects in Georgia. These firms and architects were chosen based on their capabilities, past projects, awards won, and media coverage.
Harrison Design
3565 Piedmont Rd. NE, Bldg 1, Suite 700, Atlanta, GA 30305
Established in 1991, Harrison Design focuses on high-end residential architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture that spans the breadth and architectural range of classic, modern, contemporary, and farmhouse homes. Throughout its years in the industry, the firm has slowly built a reputation for creative brilliance, client responsiveness, and project execution across the United States and overseas. The firm follows a comprehensive approach to property or site study, design advice, zoning, permits, and community planning that ensures the realization of a client’s vision. This led to an outstanding reputation and various recognitions, wherein some notable projects have been featured in several publications, including the Architectural Digest, Architect, Veranda, and Traditional Home.
Highlighted below is one of the firm’s excellent designs in the residential sector is this English-manor home. Its classical elements are mixed well with the vernacular English country cottage. Despite the home’s size, simple materials, such as the Georgian brick, limestone, and slate, make the home look unassuming. The pitched main roof sweeps to lower wings and the porte cochère to strongly anchor the architecture. Subtle decorative motifs punctuate the facade, such as dovecotes and diamond patterning created from soldier brickwork. The home’s tall chimneys were whimsically crowned by different pots.
DiG Architects
1101 Houston Mill Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
DiG Architects is a modern residential and commercial architecture design firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 2016, the firm has provided a comprehensive range of architectural services to its clients for a decade. In recent years, the firm has been featured in several publications, such as the Atlanta Architects.
The award-winning firm is led by its founder, David I. Goldschmidt, who brings more than two decades of professional experience in contemporary homes, stores, schools, hospitals, and high-rise residential and business structures. David is also a licensed architect in Georgia and a LEED AP BD+C Professional and NCARB Certified. His experience and leadership have helped propel the firm’s growth in recent years.
The Split Box House is one of the firm’s recent and best designs in residential homes. Completed in 2018, the project serves as a counterpoint to the conventional homes in the community and tries to offer a peaceful, controlled retreat from the increasingly busy virtual environment today. The warm wood accents throughout the exterior complement the house’s gentler interior design. Each room has windows that provide natural light. Natural wood creates a welcoming contrast with the pristine white interiors you encounter as you enter the home. This project is a recipient of six awards, including the 2020 AIA South Atlantic Region Honor Award and the 2019 SARA National Design Award of Excellence.
BLDGS
BLDGS Architects, 786 Murphy Ave. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Residential spaces should inspire creativity and functionality in a positive environment, and BLDGS is committed to that goal. BLDGS, founded in 2006, is an architecture and community design firm devoted to delivering innovative and long-lasting projects to its clients in the region. Through sustainable and intricate methods, the firm can develop distinctive and practical homes worth living in. As a result, more than twenty local, national, and international awards have been awarded to the firm, including the 2019 Georgia AIA Firm of the Year, the 2017 Architectural League of New York Emerging Voices Award, and the 2016 Atlanta AIA Silver Medal Firm Award.
The firm is led by its co-founders, David Yocum and Brian Bell, who have worked in the industry for more than two decades. They are both registered architects in Georgia and hold national NCARB certifications. They are also members of the American Institute of Architects. Together, they lead the firm and manage each project as a one-of-a-kind challenge that necessitates novel design solutions for future residents and business owners.
Featured above is the Ansley Glass House in Atlanta, which is a modern extension to a 1910-era house. The rich architectural style and the distinctive interior design make it a marvel in Atlanta’s thick Piedmont forest. An array of window panes on the inside split up the large walls and offer plenty of natural light. The upper-level room in this project creates an ideal space with views to admire the sunsets, nature, and uninterrupted vantage points to the horizon. Learn more about their work at BLDGS.org.
Caldwell – Cline Architects
222 Crescent Cir. Marietta, GA 30064
Situated in Marietta, Georgia, Caldwell-Cline Architects is an architectural firm with historical roots in the South. For two decades, the firm has promoted integrity and personal connections within its team and services. Recognized for its inventiveness and diligence, the Caldwell-Cline team brings decades of expertise in the field, resulting in exemplary projects. Whether designing a custom home or a commercial project, the firm prioritizes transparent communication with the client to surpass their expectations.
President Roger L. Caldwell, AIA, has over three decades of residential renovation and architecture expertise, specializing in traditional custom homes at the forefront of the firm. In 2005, he earned his accreditation from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and he is now registered in numerous states in the Southeast.
Since 1999, Caldwell-Cline Architects has designed more than hundreds of stunning cottages, colonial, farmhouse, and craftsman homes in various locations around the United States. These include a custom residence that the firm’s team designed in Marietta. With white bricks, board and batten siding, and stone and wood elements, the firm set the tone for this home’s relaxed atmosphere. The living room, dining room, pool, and terrace flow seamlessly in this beautiful two-story home.
TS Adams Studio Architects
2969 Hardman Ct. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Established in 2001, TS Adams Studio Architects is a leading architecture firm that provides each client’s dream home with a distinct style and perspective. Led by Principal Timothy Adams, AIA, the firm commits itself to each project to accomplish the client’s vision for their home. As a result, the firm’s projects have been featured in several publications in recent years, including The Cottage Journal and Outdoor in 2021. Timothy also provides over two decades of experience while being a member of the Historical Preservation Society and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.
The firm’s portfolio provides extensive insight into the homes it has designed throughout the years, from new traditional to colonial houses. The project featured above is a striking custom colonial home. The exterior is clad in white and navy blue to set a dramatic presence and classic-meets-cozy look while also reflecting the soothing visual symmetry of the house.
Xmetrical
834 Inman Village Parkway, Suite 140, Atlanta, GA 30307
Xmetrical is a versatile architectural practice that offers a comprehensive range of services, ranging from custom residential projects to commercial offices. As a full-service design architectural firm that employs a hybrid of client involvement and extensive 3D modeling, Xmetrical continues to deliver its clientele novel design solutions that distinguish it from other firms in the region.
The firm, founded in 2009, is spearheaded by its sole principal and owner, Jordache K. Avery, AIA. As the firm’s owner, Jordache has closely worked with its clientele on a variety of projects, both small commercial and residential, including dozens of houses around town in Atlanta. In addition to being a member of the AIA, he is also a registered architect, a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects.
The firm’s portfolio provides a comprehensive look into its excellent modern and twenty-first-century designs of homes, offices, and adaptive-reuse projects. A notable example of this is Sanders Modern, a stunning modern home in the small lot of Ormewood Park, Atlanta. With the incorporation of huge sliding glass doors, the floor plan flows seamlessly with the back patio and the living room. The home’s roof terrace also provides a fantastic view of the Atlanta skyline in the fall and winter. To draw in enough natural light, the design of the residence incorporates floor to ceiling window assemblies throughout the whole property.
Felder Associates
2514 Abercorn St. Suite 120, Savannah, GA 31401
Headquartered in Savannah, Felders Associates is a new design firm renowned for its beautiful works on Colonial and new traditional homes in the region. Despite being founded only in 2012, the firm is already experienced in dealing with religious, post-secondary educational, medical, professional offices, light industrial, and commercial projects. Felder Associates’ abilities as a young design firm in the area have led to its recognition in Savannah Magazine’s Best of Homes in 2020.
At the firm’s helm is founder and principal architect Brian Felder, AIA, LEED AP. Brian is noted for innovating new methods to apply classical norms, order, and materials to contemporary architecture. His novel design solutions embrace many projects, from business and medical facilities to churches and high-end residential structures. He also served as the secretary for the Savannah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Today, he is a US Green Building Council member and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Historic Savannah Foundation.
Highlighted above is one of the firm’s striking takes on residential homes in Georgia. The firm delivered a balanced and responsive design to the surrounding landscape and location. Throughout the area, striking axial relationships between the spaces and views of the horizon are utilized. The design embraces using natural materials to pay homage to the deep-south architecture that distinguishes the region’s timeless beauty.
Robert M. Cain, Architect
242 11th Street NE, Unit 1, Atlanta, GA 30307
For over three decades, Robert M. Cain, Architect, has had a distinct presence in the design industry. Founder and principal architect Robert Cain, FAIA, has steadily built a solid reputation with his commitment to sustainability and his passion for the region’s vernacular architecture and modern design since the firm’s establishment. He has garnered over seventy awards for his architectural design excellence throughout the years, including the 2011 Curbed Atlanta Honor Award. He believes that the fusion of southern vernacular and modern architecture through sustainable approaches results in a distinct piece of art. This approach to architecture has gained him widespread local, state, national, and worldwide recognition.
Above is one of the firm’s residential projects in Decatur, Georgia, the RainShine House. Robert Cain was commissioned by the owners to create “a home that sits lightly on the earth” and incorporate green architectural designs. Cain and the owners worked collaboratively in choosing the best materials for the home and ensured that it produced little to no volatile organic compounds. They landed on salvaged, locally-sourced, and recycled materials with lower energy investments, lower off-gassing and environmental pollution, reduced energy investments in shipping, and enhanced durability. The team also installed eco-friendly systems, such as rain harvest, water-based insulations, geothermal heat pumps, roof-mounted photovoltaic systems, and native and drought-tolerant plants. The two-story home was recognized by the United States Green Building Council and was awarded the highest green level certification, LEED Platinum. The home is also a certified EarthCraft home and EnergyStar home. It is currently a candidate for accreditation by the U.S. Department of Energy for its Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program.
Cowart Group Architects
5618 White Bluff Rd. Savannah, GA 31405
With over 600 projects and multiple American Institute of Architect and Historic Preservation awards, Cowart Group Architects is one of the leading full-service architectural firms in the region. The firm was founded by Gerry Cowart in 1987 and has provided the region with stunning residential properties. Gerry is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and one of Georgia’s first LEED Accredited architects. He has also served as the Director, Secretary, and Treasurer on the State Executive Committee from 1993 to 1997 in the AIA. His twenty-nine-year career in Savannah resulted in multiple projects that blend his passions for historic preservation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable urban design. In 2010, he was awarded the AIA Georgia Bronze Medal for his significant contributions and commitment to sustainability.
This rustic residence is an example of what the firm can achieve with its residential projects. Situated on a striking landscape surrounded by a viridescent nature, the home contains an earthy feel, complemented by stone and wood materials. This warm home contains various spaces for families to relax in as well.
Norwood Architects
807 Forrest St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
At Norwood Architects, serving clients means creating quality designs that exceed expectations. Established in 2004, the firm was founded on the belief that architecture should aid in the formation of relationships and enhance daily experiences. The company’s founding principal, James Norwood Vaughan, AIA, NCARB, brings twenty years of industry experience. For almost two decades, James has led the firm to provide design development, master planning, and interior design to the region. In 2011, Norwood Architects received the Trends Kitchen Award at the 28th Annual OBIE Awards. Better Homes and Gardens, Kitchen Trends Magazine, and AJC HomeFinder have all featured the firm’s work.
The firm has provided exceptional service for its clientele and has earned a reputation for design quality since its beginning. Its knowledge of farmhouse, ranch, and contemporary permits it to create exceptional designs. The firm’s projects include Ferguson, a contemporary home in an Atlanta neighborhood. This unique home is wrapped entirely in gleaming wood, stone, and glass. The minimalistic and straightforward window and door frames complement the sleek style and complete the twenty-first-century appeal.
Norman Davenport Askins Architect
2995 Lookout Place, NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Founded in 1977, Norman Davenport Askins Architect is one of the region’s leading architectural practices that specializes in residential projects. The firm’s completed projects can be found throughout the United States, Ireland, and France. It is dedicated to creating architecture that is unique to each client.
Leading the firm is Norman Askins, who brings over forty years of expertise as an NCARB Registered Architect. Norman has also served on many preservation groups, adding to his professional career, including being part of the Southern Architecture Foundation Board and Cherokee Garden Library Board.
The firm’s services include historic mansions to holiday cottages, plantations, and many expansions to existing homes. A noteworthy example of the firm’s works is this lovely cottage home. This home features powerful geometry and a sharply peaked roofline. By equally combining conventional design and cozy cottage style, the firm delivers a home that offers a different direction to the otherwise traditional palette and detailing of a standard cottage.
Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs
1904 Monroe Dr. Suite 140 Atlanta, GA 30324
At Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs, imagination informs its designs, enabling each thinker to produce unique results. This enables the firm to create inclusive, thoughtful designs and solutions.
Jeffrey Bruce Baker is the man behind the firm and its massive success on residential projects. Throughout his architectural adventure, he has gained significant experience, a large client base, and certifications such as NCARB, which showcase his talent as an architect. Although he mainly operates in the United States, he has worked with clients overseas, which demonstrates that his capabilities far exceed local taste.
This French Revival Architecture project is one of the firm’s notable works. At first glance, you can see the home has flair and is complemented by its formal and luxurious design of an open field, solid columns, intricate finishes, and well-managed spaces. It also has high-end furniture and styles which produce a fancy yet comfortable atmosphere. With a light color scheme, it has a neutral and clean tone. It also incorporates the residents’ endeavors and plans for their home.
Mosley Architecture & Gardens
2374 Virginia PL NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Mosley Architecture & Gardens believes that a home is more than a shelter, and it works to create spaces that are special, memorable, and able to transform the lifestyles of its users. As it effectively manages each project, it produces creative design solutions for its clients.
With eight years of service, the firm has already been granted certifications of AIA, LEED AP, and NCARB. This was made possible because of its dedicated staff and principal architect, Marc Mosley, AIA, who garnered the same certifications throughout his career. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University in 1990, he learned from working with a variety of clients and projects, and he honed his abilities. Now, he is the primary handler of the firm’s projects and continues to deliver exceptional results.
PROJECT 03 is a fine example of the firm’s expertise. The firm demonstrated its skill for renovation by completely redesigning the home into a modern piece of art. The process included face lifting for several parts of the house, including the front area, in addition to the renovation of the kitchen and dining areas and custom fixtures like cabinetry. Because of the firm’s success in renovating the home, it amassed various awards, such as the 2004 NARI COtY and 2004 Chrysalis. It has also been featured in magazines like The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Reno Architecture LLC
50 Ford Way, The Ford, Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Clients remain loyal to Reno Architecture LLC because of its commitment to building and designing spaces that reflect its clients’ needs. With a collaborative approach, the firm works closely with its clients during each step of the architectural process to ensure the result exceeds their expectations.
Joye K. Reno, AIA, serves as the firm’s principal architect. Licensed in multiple areas and states, she has worked on various projects across the United States, bringing her immense experience and knowledge to each project. Like Reno, the firm is accredited with AIA, NCARB, and RH|BC.
One of the firm’s finest projects is the House in the Woods, which is a new home that is situated in a natural landscape surrounded by trees. The firm created its interior and exterior design while incorporating the client’s design preferences. In addition to blending an arts and crafts style with a rustic theme, the firm added multiple utilities for residents and guests to enjoy.
Philip Babb Architect
2914 Nancy Creek Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Philip Babb Architect creates durable, timeless designs that distinguish it from other firms. The firm specializes in high-end residential projects, ranging from full-on custom homes to simple home renovations and additions. In its twenty-one years of service, it has garnered multiple accreditations from various associations, such as AIA, USGBC, and NCARB, which serve as a testament to the firm’s strong work ethic and consistent results.
Featured is an excellent example of the firm’s work, Sunshine House, located in north Atlanta. This home was designed to have a spacious home with stunning entertainment space for a socially active couple and their adult children’s families. The Philip Babb team created a central space by combining the living and dining area into one large, high-ceilinged room. The home’s architectural structure was made into an H-shape with the bedrooms and workrooms on the east side wing and the kitchen, garage, and connected pool house on the west side wing. Its floor-to-ceiling windows and large sliding glass panels blurred the line between the interior and exterior space while still creating an open feeling. The team also created a “floating roof” illusion by using clerestory windows to separate the walls from the roof. This, along with the cantilevered balconies, will cover the home’s exterior and protect its interior from the hot summer sun. The Babb team’s design was recognized by the Georgia AIA and presented with the Architectural Distinction Award.
D.T. Hubbell Architects
3768 Peachtree Rd, NE Suite B4 Atlanta, GA 30319
D.T. Hubbell Architects, located in Atlanta, helps its clientele turn their architectural dreams into timeless and comfortable homes. As a design firm that specializes in high-end residential architecture, its services span from custom houses and private estates to vacation properties and contextual home additions. The firm ensures that it applies timeless design concepts and green-building approaches to every project to surpass client expectations.
The firm is spearheaded by Daniel Hubbell, who is a member of the US Green Building Council, AIA, and NCARB. With two decades of professional experience, Daniel is known as one of Georgia’s top residential architects for his ability to deliver high-quality work while utilizing an environmentally friendly approach.
Featured above is a Mediterranean estate in North Atlanta that incorporates classic elements and contemporary influences. The firm plays with a neutral color scheme to make its residents feel completely at ease. The dynamic balance between the historical nuances of an Old-World style and contemporary renditions were made possible through clean flowing lines and streamlined details, such as the double-splayed arched colonnades and the free-floating open fireplace.
Anne Architecture
834 Inman Village Parkway, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30307
Anne Architecture is a renowned firm that produces dream homes with their dedication and unique work processes. The firm ensures that its team works alongside its clients to flawlessly execute each aspect of the architectural process. Meticulous in its approach, the firm carefully manages all details to ensure smooth operations.
The firm is led by Anne Sciarrone, LEED AP, a skilled architect with thirty years of architectural service. Throughout her career, she has worked on multiple projects, led several designs, and expanded her knowledge base to accommodate the needs of her clients throughout the state. She has worked on different market sectors, areas with different styles and design strategies, and varying clients. She has licenses over multiple states such as Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Oakhurst Renovation is one of the firm’s notable projects. It involved the renovation of a pre-existing home into a simple, modernized home. The new home features a second floor for more space while maintaining its previous scale to ensure that the neighboring houses retain their respective spaces. The home incorporates a striking mix of bricks and wood, creating an inviting appeal.
Greg Busch Architects
91 West Wieuca Rd. NE, Building A, Suite, 3000, Atlanta, GA 30342
To ensure a deep commitment to each project, Greg Busch Architects manages one or a few projects at a time. This enables it to provide the utmost commitment and care. As a full-service architectural firm, it can manage any problem and offer an effective solution.
Throughout its sixteen years of service in Georgia, it has earned immense respect and certifications from associations such as AIA, and some of its architects are members of NCARB. The firm’s adherence to individuality has enabled it to provide each client with a unique home that is tailored to their needs.
Featured here is this sizable, two-story home with a Georgian design. With the foundation and structure composed of mostly stone, the home is sturdy and durable enough to house multiple generations. Its designs, facilities, and touches give the home an elegant theme.
Dunwody/Beeland Architects, Inc.
300 Mulberry St. Suite 604, Macon, GA 31201
With a work history of over 107 years, Dunwody/Beeland Architects, Inc. has become a pioneer of residential architecture. It has shown its ability to hone its craft, establishing itself as a leading brand in historical renovation and modernization.
The firm has earned several awards, such as the 2008 AIA Bronze Medal for historic renovation. It has also garnered multiple accreditations from known organizations like AIA, NCARB, and NCIDQ. The firm continually develops, working to deliver increasingly exceptional feats.
Featured is Stewart Residence, a traditional-style home situated in Austin, Texas. With a primarily dominant light color scheme, the house gives off a neutral and warm tone, making it a calm and relaxing space for families. Its wooden furniture and fixtures create a rustic feel throughout the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, and dining spaces.
West Architecture
659 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
West Architecture provides thorough planning, thoughtful designs, and perceptive collaboration with its clients and professionals. By specializing in modern trends and incorporating organic materials in its designs, the firm has excelled, receiving various LEED certifications during its twenty-four years of service. Its services range from interior planning and renovation solutions to exterior landscaping.
Scott West, the principal architect behind the firm, contributes two decades of experience. He has the proper licenses and degrees to demonstrate his ability to manage big and small projects throughout the state. With his guidance, the firm has honed its craft and ability to effectively manage single and multifamily homes.
Bridge House is a contemporary home that combines modern living with a luxurious lifestyle. With high-end materials, premium finishes, and well-managed space, the home evokes a comfortable atmosphere that provides its residents with a memorable experience. Some parts of the house have minimalist designs with simple color schemes, while others have inviting and cozy feelings.
