Charlotte, North Carolina, presents a harmonious blend of southern charm and urban vibrancy, enriched by its verdant parks, bustling arts scene, and diverse culinary offerings. It radiates a unique ambiance, where tradition meets innovation. Here is a compilation of eight top-notch architectural firms in Charlotte, recognized for their awards, experience, and impressive portfolios.
Don Duffy Architecture
301 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
Boasting three decades of unwavering dedication to residential architecture, Don Duffy Architecture is a beacon of refined design in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1995, it owes its creation to Don Duffy’s vast technical expertise and enduring passion for creating private homes. It champions a client-centered approach, consistently manifesting its visions into architecturally traditional masterpieces that effortlessly withstand the passage of time. With a significant footprint in neighborhoods like Eastover, Dilworth, and Myers Park, the firm is well-known for crafting new homes with an older charm and executing renovations that harmonize the new and the traditional.
Spanning beyond North Carolina, the firm’s projects extend to South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Even across generations, repeated client engagements affirm the firm’s dedication to meticulous planning and attention to detail. Recognized by Historic Charlotte Neighborhood Awards, Remodels Council, and NARI, Don Duffy Architecture has also graced the pages of renowned publications like Coastal Living and Better Homes and Gardens.
Cluck Design
1530 Elizabeth Avenue, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204
Cluck Design Collaborative was established in 2004, and it remains deeply rooted in Charlotte’s design landscape. Co-founded by skilled architects Kevin Kennedy and Chris Scorsone, the firm has a diverse portfolio that demonstrates a global outreach. That portfolio includes private residences, retail, restaurants, furniture, and creatively repurposed shipping containers. The firm’s structure, a testament to co-creation, thrives on synergistic partnerships with fellow architects, craftsmen, artists, and more, stepping outside the traditional architectural model. The firm has an expansive cost range for project undertakings, underlining its vast capabilities and flexibility.
The founding partners, each with over 25 years of experience, bring unique strengths, combining architectural acumen, teaching, consultancy, and sustainability advocacy. Its excellence has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the 2019 AIA NC Merit Award for Greyfriars Residence. Featured in noteworthy platforms like Axios Charlotte and Charlotte Magazine, Cluck Design epitomizes creativity and collaboration, enriching the architectural landscape with each project.
Meyer Greeson Paullin Benson
320 S Tryon Street, Unit 222, Charlotte, NC 28202
Established in 1979, Meyer Greeson Paullin Benson is a holistic architecture and interior design firm anchored in Charlotte, North Carolina. The firm specializes in blending classic style, local character, and individual needs. The firm is driven by its mission to enhance clients’ daily life through architecture. It ensures designs are not only good-looking but also serve a purpose. It also offers a complete range of services and walks with the project from the first inspiration to the final reality.
The firm’s collaboration with clients and contractors throughout the building process leads to success. Co-founders Sam Greeson and Mark Paullin have brought their lifelong passion for houses, gardens, and historical preservation to the firm. Meyer Greeson Paullin Benson’s work has been recognized in Charlotte Magazine, Axios Charlotte, The Business Journals, and Luxe Interiors + Design, reinforcing its standing in the design world.
Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interior
104 Baldwin Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204
Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors, established in 2005, is a full-service residential design firm with a nationwide footprint. It is proficient in a broad spectrum of historical styles, skillfully blending traditional, timeless design with organic and modern elements. Its projects span North Carolina to California and from New York to Florida. The firm’s work has graced the pages of esteemed publications like Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and Southern Living.
Ruard A. Veltman, the founder, leads the firm with a passion for creating homes that embody a harmonious mix of traditional and modern design. Trained by Samuel Mockbee and Bobby McAlpine, Ruard brings the firm a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is an active member of the Design Leadership Network and the American Institute of Architects. Working from its studio in Bald Head Island, the firm continues to shape the North Carolina architectural landscape with its unique designs.
Starr Design
2459 Wilkinson Boulevard, The Launch Factory, Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28208
Founded in 2007, Starr Design is a cohesive team of architects, food service consultants, interior designers, marketing specialists, and graphic designers together. It thrives on creating physical spaces that foster connections between people and brands. The firm’s unique blend of specialties enables it to deliver enduring brand value. The founder and chief, Steve Starr, is a creative and analytical leader who values team-oriented decision-making. His passion for connecting people drives the firm’s devotion to its projects.
Starr Design’s excellence has been recognized with awards such as the 2019 National Association for Business Resources (NABR) Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in The Nation. The firm’s work has been featured in The Business Journals, WSOC TV, and Modern Restaurant Management, among others. With team members holding accreditations like AIA, FSCI, IIDA, and LEED, the firm continues to shape the design landscape.
Jenkins Peer Architects
112 South Tryon Street, Suite 1300, Charlotte, NC 28202
Since its inception in 1978, Jenkins Peer Architects has been committed to delivering thoughtful designs that enriches communities and respects the environment. Based in Charlotte, it offers planning, architectural, and interior design services throughout the Southeast. Its portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting communities and includes projects for colleges, corporate clients, civic institutions, and non-profit organizations. The firm’s approach is to listen, respond, and deliver, focusing on building community through a collaborative process and dedication to sustainable design principles.
The firm’s principals, including Benjamin D. Benson, Daniel A. Van Dyke, Robert H. Hsin, and Victor A. Jones, Jr., bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to translating client vision into functional, adaptable, and distinctive architecture. The firm’s excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2021 AIA Firm of the Year. With 45 years of experience, it continues to shape the architectural landscape with its unique designs.
McMillan Pazdan Smith
1422 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
Established in 1955, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture opened its first Charlotte studio in 2015. MPS is a studio-based firm that is client-focused and community-oriented. Staffed by a team of dedicated professionals, it believes in integrating function, beauty, constructability, and cost-effectiveness into good environmental design. Its core purpose is to create meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all. Operating from eight locations, it offers commercial, civic, industrial, living, healthcare, higher education, and K-12 planning and design expertise.
Led by CEO Chad Cousins, the firm brings diverse experience and a shared commitment to planning and design. Repeatedly recognized for its excellence, the firm has received numerous awards, including the 2022 AIA Georgia Citation Award and the 2021 South Carolina Best Architectural Firm. With 68 years of experience, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture continues to shape the architectural landscape with its unique designs.
D3 Studio
1318 Central Avenue, Suite A10, Charlotte, NC 28205
D3 Studio is an architectural and interior design firm focusing on design. It has expertise in branded retail environments, restaurants, mixed-use, office, and master planning. The firm seeks design opportunities at all scales, always seeking client-focused solutions. It believes details and efficient communication drive a project and determine its success at multiple levels. The firm’s principal, Scott Betzold, is an AIA and LEED-accredited professional with a Master of Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design.
Established in 2009, it has been in business for 14 years. The firm has been recognized for its work, receiving the 2020 Commercial Preservation Award from the Charlotte Museum of History. Its work has been featured in The Business Journals and The Charlotte Observer. D3 Studio’s commitment to design and client-focused solutions continues to make a mark in the architectural and design landscape.
