The Best Residential Architects in Raleigh, North Carolina

Last updated on August 16th, 2024 at 10:48 pm

Finding the right residential architect in Raleigh, North Carolina, can be daunting, especially considering many options. Finding a good contractor for a residential project in Raleigh, North Carolina, is essential because a reliable contractor can effectively manage timelines, costs, and subcontractors, ultimately delivering a high-quality home that meets the client’s expectations and maintains property value in the local market. The average residential project in the city typically costs between $150,000 and $350,000, though higher-end projects can soar to $600,000 or more depending on the size, design, and materials involved. These projects can take up to 20 weeks to complete, assuming there are no unforeseen issues, which are often a reality in construction.

Raleigh is a growing and dynamic city with a population of approximately 476,587 people and a median home value of $523,300. The demand for residential construction is high, reflected in the 541 contractors available for residential projects based on permit data from the local building department. With such a significant number of professionals, it’s essential to identify the best architects who can deliver quality results within your budget and timeline.

Choosing the right architect can make a significant difference in the outcome of your project. A skilled and reputable architect ensures that your vision is brought to life and helps avoid costly mistakes and delays. With the average cost of construction projects over the past two years being $69.58 per square foot, it’s evident that investing in a top-tier architect is a wise decision. To help you navigate this important choice, we’ve compiled a list of the best residential architects in Raleigh, NC. Whether you’re planning a new build or a renovation, these professionals are equipped to handle your needs with expertise and dedication.

Overview: The Best Residential Architects in Raleigh, North Carolina

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

Carter Skinner Residential Design

2609 Atlantic Ave., Suite #205, Raleigh, NC 27604

Carter Skinner is one of the leading firms in the southeastern area and is best known for its custom homes and estates. The firm is led by founder and namesake Carter Skinner, an experienced architect best known for his historically-based designs. Before establishing the firm, he had the privilege of training under renowned architect Arthur McKimmon. Carter ensures that each project the firm takes on benefits from his experience; he takes charge of every facet of construction from conception to finishing touches and material selection. The firm’s work has been featured in Southern Style and North Carolina Design publications. Carter Skinner Residential Design’s portfolio depicts an extensive gallery of traditional, craftsman, and Mediterranean designs. For the featured project, the firm opted for wooden exteriors, shingled roofs, and large trellised windows.

Grant Group Architecture

1502 W NC 54, Suite #602, Durham, NC 27707

Grant Bizios Architect is best known for its excellent design services and holistic process that emphasizes the importance of engaging and understanding each client’s wants and needs. This value-focused process shapes even project site analysis and landscaping. The firm also handles every project phase and showcases expertise for various designs, best seen in its diverse portfolio. In addition to its ground-up construction work, the firm also takes on home additions and large and small-scale renovations. Its team comprises a group of experienced architects and noteworthy Fellows from the AIA, all of whom personally assist clients throughout the process.

Located in Hillsborough, the featured project is a 20-acre property surrounded by a forested north side. The home features a trellised pedestrian bridge leading to the home’s covered front porch and double doors, which open to the main living area. Inside, the firm’s team opted for an open floor plan to accommodate large parties, a contemporary stone fireplace in the living area, a large kitchen good for two cooks, and several other entertainment spaces.

Hobgood Architects

409 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603

Hobgood Architects offers various architectural services and specializes in various markets. Aside from its residential work, it also takes on commercial and cultural work: its portfolio is filled with museums, libraries, and institutional headquarters. The firm is led by Kenneth Hobgood, an experienced architect who has had the privilege of serving as chief architectural assistant to modernist master Le Corbusier. His experience is reflected in the firm’s work, best seen through its excellent modern and contemporary projects. Further, its designs are often distinguished for its team’s use of glass elements, neutral palettes, and large floor-to-ceiling windows and entryways. The firm is also a proud recipient of numerous AIA awards and has had its work published in magazines like North Carolina Magazine, Architectural Digest, and Elevating Design. Depicted below is a particularly interesting example of the firm’s best work. The firm used Art Deco elements in unique shapes and coupled those motifs with minimalism.

In Situ Studio

704 N Person St., Raleigh, NC 27604

In Situ Studio is a small firm specializing in modern, sustainable designs and architecture. Its process is time-intensive and highly collaborative, resulting in timeless outcomes. It is led by award-winning architects Erin Sterling Lewis and Matthew Henning Griffith. Both showcase extensive experiences for which they have been awarded distinctions from organizations like the AIA. Both have experience in sustainable and urban designs and further incorporate all of these into each project. Several of the firm’s designed residences have been distinguished with merit and honor awards from the AIA. The firm’s work has also landed on the pages of publications like Home Design and Decor and Midtown Magazine. As one of the leading residential architects in Raleigh, NC, the firm’s project was featured in ArchDaily. The featured project was featured on the AIA’s Triangle Tour of Residential Architecture and won the firm an AIA North Carolina Merit Award. It spans over 3,743 square feet and was designed with its environment in mind. The firm used a compact L-shaped scheme to craft a courtyard between the home and the nearby hillside. The interior includes four bedrooms, an informal den on its upper level, and several other wonderful entertainment areas.

James S. Collins, Architect

1700 N Elm St., G4, Greensboro, NC 27408

James S. Collins is an architect specializing in residential new home construction, interiors, remodeling, and additions. Its portfolio displays a gallery of classical and traditional architecture, with its work often distinguished by its exteriors, custom finishes, and millwork. To be more specific, the firm primarily designs in French Normal, Carolina Dutch Colonial, Georgian and Federal Revivals, Cotswold Cottage, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Shingle style themes. It is also known for its exceptional historic renovations and preservations, primarily due to its principal and founder’s background with the craft. The firm also works with the latest construction and preservation techniques and has proven to be an expert in styles popular in the United States and Europe. Focusing more on Collins’ achievements, he apprenticed with the renowned Charles Peterson, has worked on several noteworthy historical projects, and currently serves as president of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, North Carolina Chapter. Under his leadership, the firm has been featured in publications such as Period Homes, New Old House, and Washington Life and Design Bureau Magazines. The featured project depicts one of its Georgian residences and showcases a front elevation, slate roofs and doors, brick exteriors, and a recurring theme of symmetrical composition.

Maurer Architecture

115 1/2 E Hargett St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Maurer Architecture is an award-winning firm that services a variety of markets. At its helm is David Maurer, an experienced architect and LEED-accredited professional who has worked on numerous historic preservations and adaptive reuse projects. In addition to overseeing the firm, David also acts as principal to Maurer Architecture’s sister company, TightLines Designs. With the help of his guidance, the firm has become an expert in projects such as restaurants, healthcare, and recreational facilities. The firm has been recognized with multiple awards throughout its years in the industry. Several of these include Anthemion Awards for its preservation work and multiple Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for its projects’ impact on the community.

The chosen project is a 4,900-square-foot home with extravagant views of the nearby Damariscotta River. The team used several floor-to-ceiling windows and designed a wonderful second-floor balcony. Inside, it has two master suites and a guest house.

Miller Architecture

715 N Church St., Suite #140, Charlotte, NC 28202

Miller Architecture is a boutique firm that utilizes the latest industry technology, such as BIM and 3D software. It also incorporates sustainable efforts into its designs and is known for its multi-family, commercial, and restaurant projects. The firm provides custom millwork and has expertise in various architectural interiors. The Miller portfolio displays several unique residential features, including staircase designs, outdoor rooms and kitchens, and wine cellars. The firm emphasizes the importance of respecting a home’s environment when designing. Since 2015, it has had the privilege of being honored with over 15 National Architectural Design Awards. The firm is led by Tony Miller, an architect with a career spanning nearly four decades whose work may be seen from across the East Coast to Massachusetts.

Vines Architecture

530 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603

Vines Architecture prides itself on its full range of design and architectural services and has over 40 design awards from the AIA amassed in just 12 short years. The firm works closely with each client throughout the process and emphasizes the importance of flexibility. In addition to a full range of design services, the firm also offers complete technical and management expertise. Since its inception, the firm has completed over four million square feet worth over $800M. The firm is led by president and principal Victor Vines, an award-winning architect with over 25 years of experience who also infuses several green efforts into his work. He is a LEED-accredited professional who has worked on multiple AIA-distinguished projects. The owners of the Aldridge house, pictured below, asked the firm to provide an addition and a renovation. The firm now features a well-incorporated contemporary addition with several neo-traditional elements.

Weinstein Friedlein Architects

302 E Pettigrew St., Suite #110, Durham, NC 27701

Weinstein Friedlein Architects is an award-winning and full-service architectural firm with specialties in various markets. From religious institutions to residential additions and new homes, the firm’s portfolio displays an excellent range of designs and project types, earning a reputation as one of the trusted residential architects in Raleigh, NC. It is led by Ellen Weinstein, who has been with the firm since 1992 and was most notably distinguished with the Kamphoefner Prize in 1999. This accolade is the highest design honor for architects in North Carolina. She is also an active member of the AIA and served as president of her local chapter in 2008. Under her leadership, the firm was repeatedly recognized with a Triangle Section Honor Award from the AIA North Carolina. The firm was also named by the same organization as “Firm of the Year” in 2013. The rural home depicted below sits on the edge of a pasture. It is L-shaped and features an entry court, covered walkways, and several open spaces. Its main walkway extends beyond a wooden pier into the nearby woods and provides wonderful views of a lovely stream.

Cannon Architects

401 N West St., Raleigh, NC 27603

Cannon Architects offers a full range of architectural services and is known for its process of considering each project’s context. The firm is led by Roger Cannon and Susan Cole Cannon, licensed architects with nearly six decades of combined experience. Together, the two have completed numerous national and regional award-winning projects, which have been published in several noteworthy magazines. Further, their experience has enabled them to become experts in various designs, thus influencing the firm’s extensive range of designs best exhibited by its portfolio. The firm has been distinguished with several awards throughout its tenure in the industry. It is most notably a recipient of multiple awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The chosen project is a classic 1920s bungalow that the firm was contracted to renovate and enlarge. It features a new butterfly-roofed living area, exposed-structure ceilings, a new master suite, and several unique skylights.

Ellen Cassilly Architects

600 Foster St., Durham, NC 27701

Its founder and namesake lead Ellen Cassilly Architects. Before establishing the firm, she worked for four years in Paris with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc. She eventually joined a nationally recognized firm in Raleigh, where she had the opportunity to work on several noteworthy residences in addition to the North Carolina Museum of Art Amphitheater and Gift Shop and the St. Matthews Parrish House. Her experience also includes multi-family homes and several other commercial projects, influencing the firm’s work. Her vision for the company focuses on vibrantly contributing to urban neighborhoods, all using modern and sustainable designs. As one of the leading architects in Raleigh, NC, the firm’s project was featured in an article from Fine Homebuilding. The firm has also been a proud recipient of several distinctions, including an American Society of Landscape Architects award. Cassilly and her team used a minimalist theme and wooden elements in the featured project below. They also opted for a recurring motif of straight, clean lines.

Louis Cherry Architecture

222 N Bloodworth St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Louis Cherry Architecture (LCA) is a full-service architecture, interior design, and planning firm. It offers a highly personalized process, a scale made possible by the firm’s small size. Aside from its residential work, it also takes on commercial and community-based projects, all designed and crafted with sustainable elements. Its designs are rooted in modernism and emphasize functionality. Louis Cherry, a Fellow of the AIA and LEED design professional, leads LCA. He also serves as a member of the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh. Under his supervision, the firm has been featured in publications like Walter Magazine and distinguished with the Anthemion Preservation Award. In addition to all these distinctions, the firm also hosts monthly Art Pop-Ups where guest artists can sell their work. We’re especially taken with this home, which uses glass and wooden elements with a contemporary theme.

The Raleigh Architecture Company

716 S Saunders St., Raleigh, NC 27603

The Raleigh Architecture Company collaborates with The Raleigh Construction Company, a separate firm with the same goal of crafting and designing unique modern homes. Together, the two employ a design-build process that maximizes a client’s budget and provides cost-effective solutions. The firm maintains its office and workshop under one warehouse in downtown Raleigh to harmonize every aspect of a project from the very beginning. The firm is led by Robby Johnston and Craig Kerins, who have a wide range of experience in the field. Johnston was involved in designing and constructing the first LEED-certified structure in North Carolina, winning him a 2012 North Carolina Design Honor Award and COTE Award. On the other hand, Kerins is the proud recipient of the AIA Alpha Rho Chi Bronze Medal and has featured his furniture designs in Raleigh’s Design Within Reach and the Fine Contemporary Craft Biennial. As one of the best residential architects in Raleigh, NC, the firm’s project was featured in an article from HuffPost. The project our editorial team has chosen displays the LaFera-Wilson residence. Shaded under the canopy of several hardwoods, this home sits atop a steep slope and features two joined public and private wings, flat roofs, and walnut casework.

Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, 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 Raleigh 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.