For the past two decades, the number of people moving to Tennessee has increased substantially. This may be credited to the state’s low tax rates, and affordable cost of living.
Each of Tennessee’s famous cities offer distinct characteristics. Young professionals flock to the capital and urban hub of Nashville, while young families and retirees may prefer the quiet, valley town of Knoxville. No matter the preference, everyone can find a great fit in Tennessee.
Our editorial team compiled a list of the top 20 leading residential architects in Tennessee who are responsible for some of the state’s most elegant homes. These firms have been featured in various publications and have also been honored with multiple industry awards. Our editorial team was also impressed by their significant portfolios and unique range of services.
Sanders Pace Architecture
514 West Jackson Ave. Knoxville, TN 37902
Sanders Pace Architecture extends their services throughout East Tennessee in both urban centers and throughout the countryside. They have a diverse portfolio filled with spaces that were created using an extensive range of architectural styles.
The firm has been in business since 2002 under the leadership of John Sanders and Brandon Pace. With their collective efforts, the company offers their clients full-service architecture, planning, and design work. They also employ adaptive reuse efforts into all of their spaces.
Since Sanders Pace Architecture’s establishment, they have been the proud recipients of many accolades from organizations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA). They have also been featured in Dezeen and Residential Design Magazine.
A sample of Sanders Pace Architecture’s work is the French Broad House project. Located in Riverdale, this home spans 1,979 square feet and has three pavilions: one public, one private, and a garage. All of these spaces are connected by a single roof.
Carlton Edwards
171 Racine St. Memphis, TN 38111
Carlton Edwards operates out of three offices in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina. They offer their clients expertise in every architectural process and have a particular affinity for traditional and contemporary spaces. With over two decades of industry experience, Carlton Edwards is an architect-led firm that utilizes a tremendous design-build approach. Aside from their residential work, the firm also offers their clients a great range of interior and landscape design, as well as construction services. All of the company’s projects come with accurate estimates and cost-effective solutions.
The Brighton Road project is an example of Carlton Edwards’ work. This home features an excellent Japanese-inspired design which Scandinavian touches and elements . The incorporation of cubist and modern themes was impressive.
Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects
1216 East Main St. Suite 120, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Headquartered in Chattanooga, Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects draws inspiration from over two decades of industry experience. They offer their clients an award-winning range of services. This talented team of experienced registered architects, interior designers, and LEED-Accredited Professionals, provide an excellent, multi-faceted approach to their work and make sure that they are responsive and highly efficient. They create excellent spaces by using only the best and latest sustainable design solutions.
Hefferlin + Kronenberg Architects’ portfolio includes a great contemporary one-story design located in Chattanooga. It features one large living, dining, and cooking area. It also has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, in addition to a large covered porch.
BarberMcMurry Architects
505 Market St. Suite 300, Knoxville, TN 37902
With experience dating back to 1915, BarberMcMurry Architects has produced unique and sustainable spaces. The firm achieves this through a cross-functional system that has allowed them to take on projects from various markets outside of the residential scene. The firm prides itself on their stellar reviews from clients. They have a long history of design excellence, including more than 60 design awards in the past 10 years alone. Most recently, in 2020, they were recognized as an Outstanding Emerging Professional Friendly Firm by American Institute of Architects (AIA) Tennessee.
BarberMcMurry Architects is responsible for the work on the Boetger Residence. Completed in 2016, this project sits in the inviting Holston Hills area of Knoxville, Tennessee. It spans 2,789 square feet and features an excellent modern design. They maximized the natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows. The home also showcases a minimalist color palette.
Scott Wilson Architects, LLC
5005 Meridian Blvd Ste 100 Franklin, TN, 37067
Founded in 1986, Scott Wilson Architects is a boutique firm that operates out of their office in Franklin, Tennessee. Since their establishment, they have had the opportunity to work in some of the most sought-after communities in both Nashville and Franklin. The firm incorporates various energy-efficient practices into their spaces which allows for reduced maintenance and high sustainability. The firm also specialize in modern and contemporary designs.
Scott Wilson Architects are proud of the countless repeat clients that they have worked with through the years. Uniquely, the firm’s team has also designed and completed various vacation homes, clubhouses, historical renovations, and commercial spaces.
The company is led and overseen by their founder and namesake, Scott Wilson. He first got his glimpse of working in the industry at a young age in 1982 after an internship. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Tennessee, School of Architecture. Under his leadership, the company maintains affiliations with organizations like the US Green Building Council and AIA. It has also been distinguished with countless Chrysalis Awards and Aurora Awards.
Michael Goorevich, Architect
95 Whitebridge Rd. Suite 203, Nashville, TN 37205
Michael Goorevich is the result of the vision and talent of its namesake. Goorevich is a registered architect in Tennessee, New York, and Ohio. He offers his clients expertise and insight into various residential architectural themes. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati and a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He oversees each aspect of the entire process and maintains affiliations with the American Academy in Rome as a Fellow. Under Goorevich’s leadership, the firm has been featured in publications including Dwell and Dezeen.
The Hat House project, located in the heart of Nashville, is a sample of Michael Goorevich’s work. For this home, the team had to reframe the entire project and reclad it with wood. They also included millwork and trims. Moreover, this project won an AIA State of Tennessee Design award for excellence in 2021.
CDP Architecture
2115 8th Ave. S Nashville, TN 37204
CDP Architecture has been in business since 2007 and operates out of their headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. Charles D. Folk, is a talented professional who uses a thoughtful and creative design process that is comprehensive and cohesive. Due to his innovation, the company has been featured in publications like Architectural Digest and The Nashville Post. Folk graduated from the University of Kentucky in the early ‘90s before finally pursuing a full-time career in architecture. Under his leadership, the firm has taken on a variety of commercial, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, and civic projects.
This sample, located in Nashville, is included in CDP Architecture’s portfolio of work. The home required extensive renovation and detailed finishes.
Shapiro and Company Architects P.C.
4646 Poplar, Suite 517, Memphis, TN 38117
Operating out of their offices in Memphis and Nashville, Shapiro and Company Architects P.C. specializes in residential architecture and interior design. They are a talented and experienced team of professionals who tailor each project to the needs of their client’s. The firm also takes on multi-family and neighborhood development projects, as well as opportunities across the country.
The Shapiro and Company Architects’ team is led by their founding principal, Brad Shapiro. He earned a degree from the University of Arkansas where he was a part of the Advisory Council for the Dean of the School of Architecture. Shapiro founded the firm in 1999 and continues to serve as both Chief Executive Officer and head of design services.
Shapiro and Company Architects, in collaboration with Catmur Development Company and the Gurley’s Azalea Garden, completed a Georgian estate. For this home, the firm’s team had to work on the interior architectural details. The home was also featured in the September 2010 issue of MidSouth Magazine.
Dryden Architecture + Design
2520 White Ave. Nashville, TN 37204
Dryden Architecture + Design is a firm of talented and experienced architectural professionals. They specialize in master plans for neighborhoods, private residences, and adaptive reuse projects. Outside of residential work, they have also taken on a multitude of hotels, retail spaces, restaurants, and office projects. The firm locally sources their resources to complete their stellar spaces. They are experts in both contemporary and traditional design.
Settled deep in the beautiful hillside of Forest Hills, the Stanford project is included in the Dryden Architecture + Design portfolio. This home showcases a great minimalist design and spans over 4,000 square feet. There is excellent detailing throughout and a great material palette. The interior is impressive with minimal trim detailing, casework, and furniture.
Studio 8 Design
56 Lindsley Ave. Nashville, TN 37210
Established in 2005, Studio 8 operates out of its Nashville office. The firm focuses its design on the personality and needs of clients and how they live. They actively integrate sustainable design features and bring innovative and creative solutions to projects regardless of size or scale.
Studio 8’s portfolio includes primary and secondary residences for clients throughout Middle Tennessee and the southeast. In addition to custom residential, Studio 8 also does ground-up commercial, adaptive reuse, and tenant buildout and improvement projects.
Jonathan Miller Architecture and Design
4814 Old Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Jonathan Miller Architecture and Design offers their clients a complete and comprehensive range of architecture and design services. Operating out of the heart of Knoxville, the firm specializes in adding traditional and classical architecture to the latest urbanism movements. Their portfolio is filled with great cottages and estates, in addition to refurbished homes. The team outlines an exact process that is tailor-fit for each client’s needs. Since their establishment, the firm has been the proud recipient of several Heritage Preservation Awards and featured in a variety of publications.
The firm is led by founder and namesake, Jonathan Miller who serves as the company’s chief architect and lead designer. He offers clients over three decades of industry experience and has won various distinctions from several vital organizations.
Noble Johnson Architects
8005 Church St. East Suite 104, Brentwood, TN 37027
Noble Johnson Architects provides comprehensive services for both residential and commercial designs. They offer a full range of architecture and interior design work and use a highly hands-on approach. At the helm are the firm’s principals and namesakes, Christian Noble and Bill Johnson. Noble offers nearly two decades of industry experience and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. Johnson is a LEED-accredited professional who implemented high efficiency and sustainability practices at the firm that have resulted in excellent spaces.
Noble Johnson Architects’ work has been featured on HGTV and in publications such as StyleBlueprint and City Lifestyle.
Our editorial team was taken by its traditional and classic work. These also include its timeless finishes and fixtures.
Ryan Thewes Architect
205 54th Ave. N Nashville, TN 37209
Ryan Thewes is a southern Indiana native with a degree from Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning. He primarily draws inspiration from the work of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, whose work he studied extensively while he was in school. Later on, he would review the organic architecture of the late Don Erickson and Robert Green – both apprentices of Wright. Thewes’ background also includes collaborations with architect Bart Prince, whose work has regularly been featured in Architectural Digest.
Under Thewes’ leadership, the firm’s own work has been featured in Dwell. It has also become known for its incredible designs and comprehensive services.
Located in the hillsides of Nashville, the project is an example of Ryan Thewes Architect’s work. The home depicts an excellent modern design. The firm opted to use a split-level layout, considering the steep incline and contour of the hill site. Inside there is a central stairway, a pool, and a significant amount of natural light.
Bauer Askew Architecture
1615 16th Ave. S Nashville, TN 37212
Bauer Askew Architecture was founded in 1995 by Principal Tom Bauer. He would later be joined by friend and classmate, Garry Askew. Together this leadership team expanded the firm’s services to cover every aspect of the architectural process. With their collective experiences and excellent talent, the firm has become known for their architectural design, master planning, interior architecture and design, furniture and graphic design, and detailing services. The firm has also completed a multitude of multi-family, corporate office, and institutional projects.
Bauer Askew Architecture is responsible for the design of the Chinkapin Hill Residence. It spans over 2,400 square feet and is located in the heart of rural Franklin. It features a simple shed roof that comes to form a pavilion. The design is reminiscent of timeless farmhouses. The unique studios in the interior are ideal for bookbinding, music mixing, or as a workshop.
Surface Architecture + Design
206 Manufacturers Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37405
Surface Architecture + Design specializes in residential and light commercial design. They offer their clients a unique and comprehensive approach, including brand identity and logo design if needed. The firm creates excellent spaces through the use of an excellent boutique method. This process assures homeowners that the team designs no two homes alike and tailors every process for the unique needs of each client. From the rocky mountains of Colorado to the Appalachian foothills, this firm has had the opportunity to take on an impressive range of homes and implement challenging themes.
Principal Michael Bridges leads the firm and earned a degree from the University of Tennessee’s architecture program. He first garnered experience working for a highly esteemed residential architecture firm in Vail, Colorado. Under his leadership, Surface Architecture + Design has secured relationships with some of the area’s best and leading professionals.
Curb Studio, LLC
101 Gill Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Curb Studio is the brainchild of co-founders, Tricia Stuth and Ted Shelton. They established the company in 2005 and are known for their thoughtful and smart designs. Their plans are considerate and responsive to the space’s environment. Since their inception, the company has earned numerous local, regional, and national design awards. Curb Studio’s principals assure their clients that the team’s collective experiences and talent are utilized at every stage of production.
Located in Norris, one of the country’s first planned communities, is a sample of Curb Studio’s work. Many sustainability techniques were utilized in the production of this home. It won the firm many accolades from the AIA, including the National Top Ten Green Project. The home was designed and crafted to coincide with the 5th anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
George Armour Ewart Architect
404 Bearden Park Circle, Knoxville, TN 37919
George Armour Ewart Architect has been in business since 1996 and are best known for their innovative designs and outstanding services. They assist their clients with a hands-on approach through every aspect of production. This method emphasizes the importance of working closely with their clients and maintaining open communication throughout the entire process. The company retains affiliations with vital organizations including the AIA, the US Green Building Council, and the International Interior Design Association.
The Robinson House is a private residence from the George Armour Ewart Architect portfolio. It features a great modern design, floor-to-ceiling windows, paneled exteriors, impressive angles, and custom finishes.
John TeSelle Architecture
405 Fairfax Ave. Nashville, TN 37212
John TeSelle Architecture has been servicing residential and commercial clients throughout Nashville since 2000. TeSelle, the firm’s namesake, is an experienced architect who holds a master of architecture from Ohio State University. Under his supervision, the firm has had the opportunity to work in some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and New York. Their portfolio also depicts several excellent hotels, schools, restaurants, apartments, and office buildings.
The Trace Creek Residence is a sample of John TeSelle Architecture’s work. Spanning over 7,300 square feet, this project is located in a rural area just a few miles outside of Nashville. The home sits on a hillside and features a fabulous screened porch. The open floor plan seamlessly connects the interior and exterior.
Marcus DiPietro, Architect
416 Barrywood Dr. Nashville, TN 37211
Marcus DiPietro is experienced in every aspect of the architectural process. He operates out of his office in Nashville, Tennessee. As a one-man show, his portfolio contains many contemporary and modern spaces. He pulls it off by himself because of his technical expertise with 3D modeling, his detailed building knowledge and his personal focus on just a few clients at a time. His work shows his love of angular homes and a recurring theme of straight lines. He holds a master’s of architecture from the University of Michigan and is licensed to practice in both Tennessee and Washington.
The Haiku on a Hill project is included in the Marcus DiPietro portfolio. Located in Oak Hill, this modern home is a beautiful infusion of wood and concrete. It features floor-to-ceiling windows, which allows a rich amount of ambient light and offers views of the home’s outdoor setting.
