The Best Residential Architects in Charleston, South Carolina

Last updated on August 13th, 2024 at 02:46 pm

Charleston, South Carolina, features a unique mix of old-fashioned charm and modern conveniences, making it a great place to live. It offers a good quality of life and a warm community feel. This stunning city is known for its well-preserved architecture, lively arts scene, and beautiful coast views. With its long past, vibrant food scene, and many outdoor activities, the city is an excellent place for families, retirees, and young professionals. Charleston has about 157,000 people living in it, and the median home worth is $735,000. This shows how strong the city’s real estate market is and how much people want high-quality homes. 

Thinking about building your dream home in Charleston, South Carolina, is exciting, but finding the right architect can be a challenge. According to data from the Charleston building department, 190 architects can work on residential jobs, so choosing one might be overwhelming. Most projects in Charleston cost between $20,000 and $150,000, with the more expensive designs costing $190,000 or more. These jobs can take up to a year to finish if no problems come up out of the blue, which unfortunately happens a lot in construction. Because so much is at stake, picking a trustworthy planner to do good work on time and budget is essential.

Choosing the right architect is a pivotal step in the home-building process. A skilled architect can guide you through the complexities of planning, permitting, and construction, offering valuable insights at every stage. They can devise innovative solutions, preempt potential issues, and ensure your project remains on track and within budget. With the right architect, you can turn your dream home into a reality that meets your needs and enhances your life. In this article, we get to know some of the best residential architects in Charleston. 

Overview: The Best Residential Architects in Charleston, South Carolina

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more.

Frederick + Frederick Residential Architects

38 Meridian Rd., Beaufort, SC 29907

Frederick + Frederick Architects has played a pioneering role in contemporary southern architecture. Its design style is founded on the principles of historic architecture from the warm and humid South but with a noticeably modern twist. The firm focuses on using sustainable practices, a combination of traditional and modern practices that result in buildings that can last a long time. 

Jane Frederick, a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and Michael Frederick, AIA, lead the firm. Jane is licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Her work has been featured in many prestigious publications, such as  Residential Design Magazine. Michael has been a residential architect in Beaufort, South Carolina, for 31 years. Under their leadership, the firm highly values sustainability. Thus, it joins many other cutting-edge architecture construction firms all over the country in the effort to produce solely net-zero energy buildings by 2030. This is an early signatory of the AIA’s 2030 Commitment.

Wayne Windham Architect

1779 Main Rd., Johns Island, SC 29455

Wayne Windham Architect, P.A. is a reputable and highly regarded architectural firm that designs one-of-a-kind, single-family custom homes. It is a small, highly personalized firm led by principal and owner Wayne Windham. Over the years, the firm has been a known expert in natural terrain, local materials, building regulations, architectural review boards, and local contractors. For every project, the firm creates a well-conceived home for its clients that always conforms to regional restrictions, owner ideas, needs, budget, and timeline with a solid commitment to owner satisfaction.

The firm’s use of building information modeling (BIM) software and technology distinguishes it from its competitors. It provides photorealistic digital visualization tools for exterior and interior views as part of its services. The firm’s impressive portfolio and solid track record of satisfied clients have earned it its reputation as one of the best residential architects in Charleston. It has been featured in many publications, including Best In American Living.

Swallowtail Architecture

1204 New Parrish Way Unit B, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Swallowtail Architecture is a full-service architectural company specializing in custom residential home design for new homes, whole houses, and major renovations. It is an all-female firm that brings unique perspectives to developing the perfect homes for its clients, earning its reputation as a top Charleston architect. The firm consistently delivers high-quality projects, earning an impressive portfolio that showcases its capabilities. No matter the project’s size, scope, and complexity, the firm’s team of experts works closely with its clients to ensure timely and quality completion. Over the years, the firm has earned many awards, including the Luxury Lifestyle Award.

Swallowtail Architecture, led by architect Rachel Burton, is known for its innovative designs. Rachel specializes in designing both pleasant and attractive functional and site-specific spaces. She has worked in South Carolina for almost 20 years and is a member of the Town of Summerville’s Board of Architectural Review. As Charleston Architects, the firm creates personalized living areas with an indoor-outdoor flow that enables the client to appreciate the beauty of the coastline setting, either in the Historic Charleston area, on the barrier islands of Sullivan’s, Isle of Palms, Kiawah, Seabrook, and Daniel Island, or in town in communities like Mount Pleasant and Summerville.

Cobb Architects

67 Washington St., Charleston, SC 29403

Cobb Architects has established itself as a crucial component of the Charleston custom home design community. Its projects range from custom homes to remodels, restaurants, and prominent businesses. The firm serves clients in the Lowcountry and surrounding areas.

The firm’s highly refined sense of precision and hands-on philosophy enables it to follow a project from inception to completion. The firm’s principal is Darryl A. Cobb, AIA, a graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has over 25 years of experience working in the business and is a member of the Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Charleston. Under his leadership, the firm has won many awards, such as the AIA South Carolina Design Award. Its works were also acknowledged by Charleston Style & Design in 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, HGTV in 2015, and Charleston Home + Design in 2013.

Camens Architectural Group

3461 Maybank Hwy., Johns Island, SC 29455

Camens Architectural Group is a design firm that has crafted exquisite custom homes with expertise in construction administration, interior design and remodels. It is known as one of the best residential architects in Charleston with its quality, professionalism, and impressive portfolio. 

Its work is spread across the United States, Italy, and Switzerland, with a few commercial architectural designs for good measure. Its main geographic areas include Charleston, South Carolina, nearby places, the Coastal Carolinas and Northern Florida, the Adirondacks, and Vail, Colorado. However, it can also work across the United States.

It takes pride in providing more than other residential architecture firms. It also does comprehensive design services with hand-drawn ideas preceded by 3D rendering, full construction supervision, and guidance in interviewing subcontractors to guarantee the homeowner’s dream home becomes a reality. Marc Camens, Chief Architect, is frequently on-site to examine the project’s progress or adjust plans if problems arise. Several publications featured its works, including Charleston Style & Design in 2020 and Discover Charleston in 2019 and 2018.

Tyler A. Smyth Architects

990 Morrison Dr. Suite B, Charleston, SC 29403

The Charleston studio of Tyler A. Smyth Architects provides innovative custom residential and light commercial architecture solutions in the Lowcountry’s diverse environments and communities. It specializes in the design of new residences in and around Charleston and undertakes restorations and renovations of historic residences on the peninsula. The firm believes in providing the highest level of service and design sophistication.

Tyler A. Smyth Architects’ team has stated that it is fortunate to work with some of the region’s most interesting clients and best builders over the last 11 years. The firm considers itself to be craftspeople at heart and believes that good design is more than making beautiful drawings. With the team’s dedication and expertise, the firm has developed a deep roster of satisfied clients. The Preservation Society of Charleston has awarded numerous Carolopolis Awards for its work on the peninsula.

Spivey Architects

147 Wappoo Creek Dr. Ste. 304, Charleston, SC 29412

Spivey Architects is a regional architectural company headquartered in the Southeast with offices in Charleston, South Carolina, and private studio space in Burnsville, North Carolina. Its founder offers years of design and construction experience and technical know-how to create exceptional projects. It is multi-disciplinary, with comprehensive expertise in high-end residential design and commercial projects based on personal services such as clubhouses, branch banks, medical and dental offices, and lab facilities. As a result, the firm has solidified its reputation as one of the best residential architects in Charleston. 

Michael Spivey, AIA, has over 30 years of architectural design and construction experience. Its principal is one of the few design professionals who has co-founded a construction company and established what he designed for the first five years of his career, making him unique among architects. He remains actively engaged in every design project and is always open to questions. Under his supervision, the firm has been featured in Charleston Living Magazine, Charleston Home + Design Magazine, Home Magazine, and Luxury Living Magazine.

SLC Architect

1809B Reynolds Ave. N., Charleston, SC 29405

SLC Architect is a local architecture firm in Charleston, South Carolina, specializing in custom residential design in the South Carolina Low Country. The firm strives to exceed expectations at every phase of the design process, and its principal pours her heart and soul into creating dream homes for her clients that they are proud to own and happy to live in.

Sabrina Vogel grew up in a family construction business, which has given her an exceptional understanding of the construction process to turn an architectural design into a reality. Sabrina founded SLC Architect after working for Herlong & Associates for eleven years, designing, drawing, and managing high-end custom residential projects. Under her leadership, the firm was featured in publications such as Charleston Style & Design and Charleston Home + Design.

DLB Custom Home Design

P.O. Box 21354, Charleston, SC 29413

DLB Custom Home Design has served coastal locations throughout South Carolina’s Low Country. Its services include architectural design, structural engineering, house planning, custom home building, new home construction, home remodeling, and sustainable design. It uses the most up-to-date architectural design software on the market and gives clients a 3D experience of the home during the design process. This allows homeowners to comprehend the full design with high accuracy.

Damien Busillo, AIA, currently heads the firm. He received his Master’s Degree in Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2003. He has over 17 years of experience in the industry and has spent almost a decade developing high-end custom residential homes in the South Carolina Low Country.

Herlong Architects

2214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482

Herlong Architects & Interior Design is a full-service architecture and interior design company specializing in custom coastal design and residential remodeling. It has an attentive understanding and appreciation for the distinctive personality of coastal environments. The firm offers various architectural and interior design services for custom homes. It comprises a diverse group of architects and interior designers, each with their own set of skills and perspectives that they bring to each project. The firm has won the Best in American Living Award in 2019, the AIA SC 2019 Honor Award, the Carolopolis Award for Excellence 2019, and the 2022 Luxe RED Award.

The firm is a member of the AIA, the AIA Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN), and the CRAN Charleston. Its works were also spotlighted in a few publications: the Charleston Style & Design in 2020, Charleston Home + Design, SCA Magazine, Domino, Coastal Living, Charleston Blonde Blog, and the Preservation Society of Charleston in 2019, among others.

Clark-Glidewell/Architect

10 Ponce De Leon Court, Charleston, SC 29407

Clark-Glidewell/Architect, LLC (CGA) is a Charleston, South Carolina-based architectural firm that serves clients in Charleston’s Historic District, nearby areas, and Summerville. The firm specializes in residential projects spanning historic preservation to new construction and renovation. It takes an integrated and hands-on approach to managing each client, taking the time to get to know their vision and turn it into a reality. 

Shelley has worked on various homes, with each project focusing on the client and their needs. She has a 33-year architectural career and has worked with homes in multiple locations for 27 years. Under her supervision, the firm received recognitions in 2020, such as the AIA Merit Award for Historic Preservation and the Carolopolis Award from the Charleston Preservation Society. Likewise, the firm is also a member of the AIA Custom Residential Architects Network, Preservation Society of Charleston, and Charleston Builders. 

Thomas & Denzinger Architects

138 St. Philip St. Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29403

Thomas & Denzinger Architects has completed countless architectural designs and residential and commercial projects for Charleston County, Cobbtown, and Balsam Mountain clients. Jim Thomas and Hermann Denzinger founded the firm in Beaufort, South Carolina, with a second office opening in Charleston to expand its services.

Currently, the firm runs three studios, one in Beaufort and two in Charleston. Hermann Denzinger’s State Street Studio in Charleston has grown to become a leading designer in the public sector, mainly focusing on schools and civic structures. The St. Philips Street Studio, also in Charleston, and the Beaufort Office, led by Jim Thomas, have become recognized for outstanding inventiveness in the private sector, including community, recreational, and residential structures. Its projects were featured in 2021 by Charleston Style & Design, Charleston Business Magazine, and the Post and Courier in 2019.

Bill Huey + Associates

3582 Maybank Hwy., Johns Island, SC 29455

Bill Huey + Associates has experienced consistent growth. The company is a full-service architecture firm with projects over the Southeastern United States. It is well-known for its diverse project portfolio, including award-winning residential architecture, historic preservation projects, and cutting-edge commercial designs.

Its project portfolio includes everything from historic preservation to new construction, from large commercial structures to private properties. Under the leadership of its namesake, the firm’s works were featured this year by Charleston Style & Design Magazine, Preservation South Carolina, CHS Today, The Post and Courier, and Homes of the Rich. Moreover, Bill’s namesake is a 1985 Clemson University College of Architecture graduate. He began his career in Charleston in 1987 and now has over 34 years of experience. He was also the past president of the Charleston CRAN AIA and currently serves on Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR).

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of architects, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the residential architects in the Charleston, South Carolina area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.