Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 08:48 am
The largest and most populous city in Indiana, Indianapolis is an urban jungle filled with high-rise towers and bright lights. The architecture of the busy, bustling city exudes a modern aesthetic, but Indianapolis features a wide range of home styles—from Victorian and Mid-Century Modern to Colonial Revival and Cape Cod.
Designing the city’s homes are the best residential architects in the area, of which the top ten are listed here. These firms were selected and ranked based on several criteria, including the construction quality of their works, as well as their work portfolio, company background, accreditations, certifications, awards, and client reviews.
This list includes both licensed architects and residential designers who can both design stunning homes but differ in other services offered. Architects are trained in design, engineering, and project management and have passed a licensing exam. Residential designers typically don’t manage projects and plans will need to be approved by a structural engineer. Whether you choose to hire an architect or a residential designer will depend on your project needs and complexity. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in Indianapolis, check out our cost guide article.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
Cripe
3939 Priority Way South Drive Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Architectural design expertise is one of the most notable assets of Cripe, an Indianapolis firm with a versatile portfolio. The company serves multiple markets, which include, but are not limited to, the health, commercial, education, and retail sectors. Cripe strives to provide innovative solutions and craft structures using modern technology to guarantee that clients’ structures meet high standards. Building properties as well as relationships has proven fundamental to the firm’s business formula. Cripe’s first two clients from 1937 are still customers of the firm today, which is a testament to Cripe’s ability to fortify and maintain relationships with customers. Aside from its Indianapolis branch, the firm has office branches in Evansville, Bloomington, and Southwest Florida.
Leading the company are Frank Hindes and Mike Grubb, who serve as the firm’s Director and Vice President, respectively. Both are Accredited Professionals (AP) of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), with a specialty in Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C). Grubbe is also accredited by the Architects Institute of America (AIA), and Hinde, a Registered Architect (RA) and Registered Interior Designer (RID), is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Their firm has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana an impressive total of nine times.
Demerly Architects
6500 Westfield Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Demerly Architects is a full-service firm with great expertise in custom residential design. The firm was established in 1999 by Mark Demerly, who is a LEED AP and accredited by the AIA and NCARB. Demerly thrives through a process that prioritizes client collaboration, which allows for constant client participation and a seamless flow of information. The firm’s services include new construction, remodeling, renovation, and additions.
The firm has received accolades from the AIA Annual Design Awards, AIA Indianapolis, and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). These award-winning projects have been featured in numerous publications over the years, including Indianapolis Monthly Home, Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen, and Renovation Style Magazine.
One of the firm’s most notable projects is the Lockerbie House—a two-story, Georgian, Craftsman home situated in suburban Indianapolis. The home’s neutral exterior palette shines with minimalist modern beauty, exuding a quaint charm despite the home’s simplicity.
GMG Architects
484 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46033
Residential architecture and construction management are the strengths of GMG Architects—a Carmel-based firm with an extensive body of work. The firm is spearheaded by Glenn Gareis, an AIA member and a LEED-accredited professional with a diverse skill set and a wide range of experience. The company works on both large- and small-scale projects with a talented crew of designers, contractors, and industry experts that offer a wide array of skills to ensure high-quality results. Transparency during the process is strictly observed, and an open channel is always maintained to allow client input throughout the project. Customer testimonials for GMG are filled with positive remarks, with former clients praising the firm for its professionalism and craftsmanship as well as its staff’s punctuality and diligence.
The company is a Registered Architect of Indiana. It is accredited by two AIA chapters—the AIA Custom Residential Architects Network (AIA CRAN) and AIA Indiana Chapter. The firm actively implements sustainable and energy-efficient methods in its building efforts, holding accreditations from multiple green building bodies. It is certified by the Green Homes Institute and is a U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Green Associate, a Green Star Qualified Professional, and an Aging in Place Specialist. GMG has also earned several AIA Merit Awards.
Goldberg Design Group
401 1st Street N.W., Carmel, IN 46032
Stephen B. Goldberg grew up with a strong passion for designing homes. A deep understanding of the process, from the blueprint phase to the construction stage, has made Goldberg a preferred builder in the Indiana area. He is renowned for his ability to accurately capture the era of a certain home style, adding authentic charm to every residential structure. The firm ensures aesthetic quality not only in the homes’ exteriors and interiors, but also the surrounding areas. Goldberg Design Group’s attention to detail is just one of the many reasons the firm is considered a favorite among clients.
One of the firm’s core strengths is building luxurious homes; this has earned the firm several accolades from its local leg of the AIA, including Best Residential Design. GDG was also included in Bond Custom’s Top 100 Luxury Residential Architecture Firms in North America. The firm has built the Indianapolis Monthly Dream Homes four separate times—in 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2019. A variety of styles can be seen in the company’s portfolio, including Georgian, Tudor, Greek Revival, Spanish Eclectic, and more. The home featured here is a rustic lodge-style project. Goldberg completes projects across the U.S. and abroad.
HAUS
933 N Layman Ave – Studio 2, Indianapolis, IN 46219
The Indianapolis architecture studio HAUS specializes in personalized architecture that fits clients’ visions and lifestyles. The firm has mastered the art of creating trendy yet timeless homes, crafting structures that last for generations. It is led by Chris Short, an esteemed industry veteran with almost three decades of experience in the field. He is a Registered Architect and LEED AP BD+C with accreditations from the AIA and NCARB. The firm has received several awards from the AIA, with its most recent being an Excellence Citation in 2019. The firm works on single-family residential and commercial projects and serves the Indianapolis and adjacent areas.
The Mid-Century Modern residence featured here was built in collaboration with design studio Vriesman and general contractor WrightWorks. It showcases HAUS’s expertise in building structures both with functional and aesthetic qualities. Windows on all sides of the house allow natural light during the daytime and allow homeowners to enjoy the view around the property. Surrounded by a lush green backdrop, the elegant estate evokes a natural charm.
MS Consultants
115 West Washington Street, Suite 1310, Indianapolis, IN
MS Consultants focuses on building cost-efficient and sustainable structures, which is one of the many reasons it has earned several prestigious accolades and been featured in several publications. President and CEO Thomas E. Mosure is a professional engineer licensed in more than 27 states. His vast knowledge and industry experience are key factors in the firm’s continued success and creation of an extensive portfolio. Mosure remains rooted in his commitment to deliver exceptional projects to every client, cultivating the company’s brand not only through creating high-quality projects but also by providing outstanding customer service.
The firm has earned several accolades, such as being included in top architecture and design lists from several awarding bodies, such as Engineering News-Record, Architectural Record, and Largest Architectural Firms. Consistent planning and management as well as the provision of innovative solutions and cutting-edge designs are some of the key factors behind the firm’s success.
MS Consultants offers architectural design, landscape architecture, civil site design, and traffic design. On the residential front, the firm works on hospitality projects, including multi-family residences, hotels, and assisted living facilities. The award-winning firm has nine offices all over the country, including branches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and West Virginia.
One 10 Studio
200 S. Meridian St Suite 301, Indianapolis, IN 46225\
One 10 Studio is an architectural firm that excels in the art of quality design through building unique structures and offering unmatched customer service. The firm is spearheaded by Clete Kunce, an AIA-accredited architect who serves as the principal and founder of the firm. He started his firm in 2010 and has been actively present for every project, personally overseeing each structure the company has ever created. One 10 strives to guide homeowners throughout the entire process—from the blueprint and design phase up until the structure is ready for occupancy. Collaboration between the crew and clients are cultivated throughout the entire process to ensure that the property built matches the homeowner’s vision.
The studio has been the recipient of several awards for its exceptional architecture work. Some of the recent awards it has earned include the Indianapolis Merit Award and the Indianapolis Citation Award in 2017, both from the AIA. Featured is the Geist Residence, a two-story modernist home built by One 10. The stunning estate has windows on all of its walls, which provides both style and function.
OMS Corp
429 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 202, Indianapolis, IN 46204
“A history of forward-thinking” is the motto that encapsulates OMS Corp’s operations. OMS (Odle McGuire and Shook) Corp is an award-winning architecture firm led by Matthew Mayol, the firm’s president and owner, who has decades of experience in the industry. Mayol is a LEED AP B+C and a member of the AIA.
Behind each project in the firm’s catalog of outstanding architecture works is a legacy, and the firm’s portfolio features a wide range of projects types, as OMS Corp serves the education, government, senior living, independent living, health care, and commercial markets. The former clientele of the firm ranges from government employees to corporate staff, all of whom have similar testimonials regarding OMS’s work quality. The company has been commended for its efficient work, with praise going not only to the building and design components of the company’s process but extending to all aspects of the job.
OMS Corp has received several recognitions from the AIA Indiana, including the Achievement Award for Interior Design, the New Construction Citation Award for its work on the University High School, and the 25 Year Award for Tyson Temple United Methodist Church. The firm has also appeared in Indianapolis Monthly.
NEON Architecture
977 Hosbrook St. Indianapolis, IN 46203
Showing clients a better way of living is one of the main goals of NEON Architecture. The firm aims to make building more efficient and more sustainable, providing long-term and durable structures for homeowners. It is led by owner and founder Brian Burtch, who leads a team of skilled craftspeople specializing in architecture and design. Burtch’s ever-evolving skills and innovative designs stem from his innate enthusiasm for the industry—a passion that extends to his creative work.
NEON Architecture has been featured in a number of publications, including Pattern Magazine and Indianapolis Monthly Home Magazine. The firm is a huge proponent of green building and implements sustainable and energy-efficient methods in its work process. The company’s portfolio of projects is filled with residential and commercial estates, such as the NEON House, which was the firm’s first project. The 1,050-square-foot property is a compact structure that displays NEON’s skill in maximizing small spaces and building minimalist, modern homes with contemporary flair.
Rottmann Collier
155 East Market Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Established in 1997, Rottmann Collier is a full-service architecture and interior design studio that completes both residential and commercial projects. Architects Todd Rottmann and Rod Collier lead the company, and both have a wide array of skills in architecture, interior design, preservation, and planning. The duo leads a crew of licensed architects and talented craftspeople to build not only projects but also bonds with clients that last for generations. Aside from its Indianapolis office, the firm is also licensed to operate in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and West Virginia.
The company works in several sectors, including higher education facilities, community buildings, commercial properties, and mixed-use complexes. Among the firm’s most notable clients are WellPoint, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Fifth Third Bank. Magazines that have featured the firm include Better Homes and Gardens, Home Planning Ideas Magazine, Renovation Style Magazine, and New Urban News. The featured K House is an Indianapolis residence in the historic Herron-Morton Place.
How can I find an architect or home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best residential architects and home builders in and near Indiana. If you don’t see your city or project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Custom home builders in Indianapolis
Custom home builders in Fort Wayne
Custom home builders in Indiana
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
