skip to main content
  1. All Professionals
  2. Architects & Building Designers
  3. Charleston Metro
  4. Charleston

341 Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers

Charleston, SC Architects are masters of building design and can make your dream house a reality. Perhaps you would like to find Charleston, SC architects to help you extend the kitchen and install bifold doors opening out onto a newly landscaped garden? Maybe the challenge is a loft conversion but you’re not sure how to make the most of the limited space up there? You might even wish to hire architects in Charleston, SC to help you build your own house from the ground up. Architects can help you to get a clearer idea of what is possible, both in terms of the land you own and the budget you have. They have extensive knowledge of architectural design, construction methods and building materials, not to mention a strong appreciation of ergonomics – warmth, light and flow within a property. Architects will also be far more capable of seeing the bigger picture – carefully balancing aesthetic appeal with structural safety – and navigating all those little steps from concept through to completion. And with their local knowledge, your Charleston, SC architects will also often help to obtain planning permission and building regulations approval. More
Not sure where to start? Let Houzz match you with local professionals for these projects:
Within 50 km
Best Match
  • St. Kitts Luxury Villa
    Item 1 of 5
    15 Reviews

    As a full-service architecture and interior design firm specializing in custom coastal design and residential reno...

    Read more
    Click to call17.9 km from Charleston, SC
  • Oceanfront Renovation
    Item 1 of 5
    3 Reviews

    Charleston's Trusted Architects Best of Houzz 2018

    I would absolutely recommend Island to anyone looking to build a beautiful custom home – chrisdonahue

    View full review
    Click to callSponsored
  • Ducker Lane
    Item 1 of 5
    4 Reviews

    With experience in design, planning, and construction, Phil Clarke formed Clarke Design Group in 2003 with a prima...

    Read more
    Click to call13.7 km from Charleston, SC
  • Durick Interior & Exterior
    Item 1 of 5
    24 Reviews

    Charleston's Leading Architect & Design Firm Best of Houzz 2013-2018

    Paul used his creativity and knowledge to transform this fixer upper into a beautiful house. – Alice Wasson

    View full review
    Click to callSponsored
  • Pye Residence
    Item 1 of 5
    145 Reviews

    We have built 7 other homes and put Crosby Creations on the top of the list for home design. By the middle of... – Will White

    View full review
    Click to call35 projects in Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    16 Reviews

    Dorchester's Award Winning Full-Service Drafting & Design Firm

    We are a full-service drafting and design firm in Summerville, South Carolina, with over 15 years of experience. O...

    See my projects
    Click to call2 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    29 Reviews

    Owner, Scott Brekke, has over 20+ years in the construction residential industry. His passion for home building a...

    Read more
    Click to callCharleston, South Carolina, United States
  • Item 1 of 5
    $100 Donation to Pencils of Promise
    46 Reviews

    Charleston Architecture and Design Best of Houzz 2013 - 2016

    We specialize in Custom Residential Home Design. Our projects are very specific to the needs, desires, and budgets...

    See my projects
    Click to call11 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    32 Reviews

    Cobb Architects has established itself as an integral part of custom home design in the Charleston area. Our firm'...

    Read more
    Click to call10.7 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    2 Reviews

    Charleston's Established Design-Build Firm, Best of Houzz 2016 - 2018

    Dolphin Architects and Builders has established a reputation of building excellence and integrity in the Charlesto...

    See my projects
    Click to call1 project in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    46 Reviews

    Damien Busillo, AIA, NCARB, is a registered Architect designing homes throughout the Lowcountry and Barrier Island...

    Read more
    Click to call11 projects in Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    1 Review

    Berkeley County's Boutique and Award-Winning Architectural Firm

    We strive to provide the most personalized service to our clients. At b Studio Architecture, expectations are mean...

    See my projects
    Click to call8 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5

    Charleston Counties Premier Luxury Architect

    As a smaller firm, we can offer an attention to detail & personalized service that can fall by the wayside in the...

    See my projects
    Click to callSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    7 Reviews

    Architrave is an established design oriented architecture practice with over twenty five years of experience throu...

    Read more
    Click to call11.8 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    9 Reviews

    Charleston's Distinguished Architectural Firm

    Kenneth Miller Architecture is a dedicated and quality conscience planning and architectural company that speciali...

    See my projects
    Click to call7 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    5 Reviews

    Charleston's Leading Architect of Fine Coastal Homes

    Through our work, we seek to enhance the quality of life in our communities through solutions that embrace and res...

    See my projects
    Click to call16 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    22 Reviews

    From the southeast coast to mountains in the Carolinas, our mission is to create beautiful spaces that meet your a...

    Read more
    Click to call15 projects in Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    3 Reviews

    Greater Charleston's Reputable Building Designers

    We take pride in our ability to exceed expectations in all aspects of a client's needs. We look forward to buildin...

    See my projects
    Click to call5 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    9 Reviews

    Charleston's Designer of Finely Crafted Custom Homes

    Specializing in waterfront, historical and southern cottage style homes, Bob Chatham is a second generation reside...

    See my projects
    Click to call5 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    9 Reviews

    Kevin E. Whalley AIA, NCARB and Tim S. Hilkhuijsen AIA,RIBA are the Principal Owners of Architecture Plus, a fu...

    Read more
    Click to call6.2 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    14 Reviews

    Dorchester County's Established Architect

    If you are thinking about building a home, set up a free consultation with professional designer, Scott Cook of Co...

    See my projects
    Click to callSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    145 Reviews

    Charleston Architect & Designer - Best of Houzz Winner 2014-2018

    We have built 7 other homes and put Crosby Creations on the top of the list for home design. By the middle of... – Will White

    View full review
    Click to call35 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    17 Reviews

    Swallowtail Architecture specializes in custom residential home design for new homes and whole house, major renova...

    Read more
    Click to call10.4 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5

    Premier Architecture & Design Firm Serving Charleston County

    Intertwine House Plans offers pre-designed and custom construction plans for new homes, remodels, and additions. W...

    See my projects
    Click to call8 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    3 Reviews

    Wayne Windham Architect, P.A. is a well-known and respected architectural firm specializing in the design of uniqu...

    Read more
    Click to call26.0 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    14 Reviews

    Charleston County Nationally Recognized Architect

    Every building should enhance the well being of its occupants, achieve economy through conservation, and honor the...

    See my projects
    Click to callSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    5 Reviews

    SLC Architect, LLC is a small architectural practice specializing in custom residential architecture in the South...

    Read more
    Click to call15.7 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    22 Reviews

    Charleston Area Architect--30+ years of experience! Best of Houzz 5x

    We listen & identify. We prioritize based on your unique preferences. We design solutions that represent your func...

    See my projects
    Click to call15 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    9 Reviews

    Kenneth Miller Architecture is a dedicated and quality conscience planning and architectural company that speciali...

    Read more
    Click to call7 projects in Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5

    Berkeley County's Source for High End Architectural Designs

    Translations Design Studio was founded by Liz Baker in July 2009. Homeowners continuously boast how Liz is able to...

    See my projects
    Click to call4 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    3 Reviews

    McDonald Architects — an architectural firm rooted in Charleston, South Carolina — brings to life highly original...

    Read more
    Click to call10.7 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 4
    1 Review

    Charleston Based Multi-Faceted Architectural Design Firm

    We are a young, creative, energetic architecture firm. We are located in the middle of historic downtown Charlesto...

    See my projects
    Click to call9 projects in the Charleston areaSponsored
  • Item 1 of 5
    6 Reviews

    Welcome to Flatfish Island Designs - Coastal Carolina's premier provider of purposefully designed, finely detailed...

    Read more
    Click to call16.3 km from Charleston, SC
  • Item 1 of 5
    8 Reviews

    Charleston' Complete Professional Home Design Services

    My first interaction with Southern Home Design was in March 2017 when I needed plans for a large renovation. M... – Brian Emmen

    View full review
    Click to callSponsored
123456789Next Page

Featured Reviews for Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers

Island Architects
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
23 January 2017
“Skip and Matt designed our new home, which is nearing completion. We are new to this, having never built before. We wanted to select both an architect and a builder who could bring our ideas to life, while at the same time adding their own creative vision and expertise. Skip and Matt exceeded our expectations. Easy to say, but what I mean specifically is: - They are truly collaborative. We provided dozens of pictures, ideas, materials, must-haves, must-not-haves...you name it. The very first set of drawings that came from this collaboration was so close to the vision we had, even though we couldn't articulate it at the time. - They are incredibly hard -working. They take pride in what they do, and will keep working at even the smallest detail until we are all satisfied. - They really listen, and this is reflected in the questions they ask and the ideas they delivered. - They worked very well with our builder. This is so important, and we feel we have a home that reflects two sets of great expertise...Island's and our builders.”
Cole Design Studio, Inc.
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
14 June 2012
“Paul Cole of Cole Design Studio was a referral which we are very pleased to have checked into. We met Paul at his home office along with his welcoming committee, Charlie and Bella, two extremely lovable dogs. We got right down to business discussing the construction of a home on land we purchased some time ago and what our budget would allow. Paul's portfolio of completed designs, plus our own thoughts were put to paper in a very professional and expeditious manner. Paul worked with us, making suggestions when we were unsure of our design and gave us ideas we hadn't thought of. The final plan is one we cannot wait to have built. In the interim, we asked Paul to design a two and a half car garage with an apartment above to be constructed adjacent to the home Paul was designing. The plan was exactly what we had in mind and Paul was able to maximize limited space to create a very comfortable living area. Construction of the garage/apartment is almost completed. If you choose Cole Design Studio you will have the pleasure of working with someone who is extremely knowledgeable, professional and personable. Your Paul Cole designed home will be lovely to look at and extremely well structured. It will be a home you and future generations will enjoy. Betty & Richard Gibbons”
Unlimited Drawings & Construction
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
9 October 2012
“Unlimited drawings has worked with me on projects for years, they have always done an exceptional job in not only understanding what I would like to have done but also in doing the actual drawings, from concept to completion these guys are first class. Truly, David Johnson CEO First Team Construction Inc”
DLB Custom Home Design
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
27 November 2012
“Damien Busillo of DLB Architecture and Design has been a pleasure to work with. Although my husband and I have built four homes in the past this was our first experience with having a custom home design. He has been a great help in finding ways to convey exactly the design we wanted, working with builders in the bidding process, working to help us find the landscape designer that fits our tastes and working wit h our neighborhood ARB to help us get our design approved. Damien has been very flexible to make changes in order to fit our needs and I know that the end product will be a home that we will be so proud to call our own. It's been a pleasure to work with him!”
Dolphin Architects & Builders, Inc.
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
25 May 2015
“We have engaged Dolphin to design and build our dream home on Kiawah Island, SC. We are currently half way through construction. So far we are very pleased with the services provided by Dolphin. We worked with Noel over a prolonged design period (our choosing) - she had great patience and constructive input on design for our unusual plot. Dolphin drove the ARB approval process which was ultimately quite painless (we had expected this to be much more difficult). Prior to breaking ground, we started work with Catherine Anne on the endless decisions (everything from kitchen appliances and faucets to hardware and tiling). Catherine Anne made the whole process easy and and kept us on track. Once construction started, the Dolphin team kept us updatd regularly (important as we live in the North East and have only been on site 3-4 times during construction. Overall - so far very happy that we engaged Dolphin - we purposefully chose a design / build company and would highly recommend this experienced team.”
b Studio Architecture
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
15 November 2019
“Chris is not only talented in design but reliable as well. He transformed our funny "Pink Palace" into a sleek, functional yet comfortable home. We were very pleased with Chris and the value we received. He's also an excellent communicator which can make or break a project.”
Kenneth Miller Architecture
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
10 January 2018
“We have collaborated with Kenneth Miller Architecture on many design projects over the past 10 years. Kenneth brings a wealth of knowledge on codes and building practices to each project. And he has a wonderful grasp on current and historical design styles. I would recommend Kenneth Miller Architecture to anyone with a residential or commercial design project.”
SGA Architecture
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
5 August 2015
“SGA did an outstanding job designing our home on a very difficult lot. The interior was designed specifically to our lifestyle and we have beautiful views from every room. We highly recommend SGA and will use them for all of our future architectural needs.”
1st Source Solution
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
7 October 2019
“I had a very positive and pleasant experience working with 1st Source Solution and the creative building team. I wanted a larger and more updated living room, and they made it possible. Mr. Harrah took my budget and laid out the plan. His group showed up on time and worked efficiently while performing with the utmost professionalism. Mr. Harrah was well informed by his team, on sight to keep me aware of our situations, and provided solutions that allowed us to stay within budget. He was conscientious about communication between his team and with me. At our initial meeting we discussed this project's time frame, and I was very clear it could take 30-60 days to complete. The job was completed in 53 days, we stayed within budget, and I was happily satisfied with the quality of work. I hope in the future Mr. Harrah and his team will agree to return to assist me with more renovations. I highly recommend 1st Source Solution! Thank you.”
Bob Chatham Custom Home Design
Charleston, SC Architects and Building Designers
3 November 2014
“The company did a beautiful job. Mr. Chatham is an incredibly talented and courteous individual. He is truly a winner!”
123456789Next Page
List your business here for free - Learn More

How do I choose the right Charleston, SC architect?


Begin by determining the type of architectural service you require. Is it merely advice that you need? Or a detailed set of architectural design plans? Are you hoping to add a single-storey extension or are you really looking for someone to design you a custom home and handle construction management right through to completion? One of the most important duties of full service architects in Charleston, SC is to serve as project managers and supervise most aspects of construction as well as facilitate communication between all other contractors.

Architecture is an incredibly technical profession and one where getting things wrong can literally put lives at risk, so do background checks on your Charleston architect. Check they are registered with architecture associations such as the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Being part of an architecture association means that an architect or architecture firm has met certain standards, qualifications and practices, and can be held accountable if they don’t meet these standards. It’s advisable to choose architects that specialise in the kind of project that you are undertaking as their existing experience will shine through in the completed design. Look for an architect in Charleston, SC that can provide references and reviews of their previous work.

Once you have determined the service level you need, your next consideration will be architectural style. Some architects specialise in designing for traditional housing such as period cottages and country homes, or even in designing modern replicas in a period style. Others have a knack for imagining bolder, more futuristic architectural design in Charleston, SC incorporating the latest green technology. Check their Houzz profile and website for examples of previous work. Early on, try to gauge availability – there’s no point in choosing an architect that’s going to be booked for months if you have a tight deadline. Some architects are happy to do all their work online or over the phone with you, but if you’d prefer to work with an architect in person then check that your chosen architects in Charleston, SC will travel to you.

What is the process to hire an architect?


At the first meeting, preferably at your property or building site, give as clear a picture as possible of the kind of home you are trying to create to your architects. Chat through your goals, projected budget, scope of work, schedule and feedback, together with any very specific requirements you might have. It is crucial that your architects are clear about their responsibilities and that these are documented in the contract. Ask them to walk you through the process, including the number of architectural design consultations, site visits and what they will be delivering and when, e.g. feasibility study, a technical drawing, tender package and/or planning application drawings. They could illustrate this using a previous client’s project. Also, what does the architect need from you? Deeds, rights of way, deposit, staged payments etc. Once you have covered all this detail, you are ready to make your choice and get started. The architecture company in Charleston, SC that you hire will likely start with concept drawings and finish with construction drawings and documents. Some firms even design with 3D renderings, CAD and videos, but this is by no means essential.

What makes a good architect?


You are looking for architects in Charleston, SC that have the right balance of creative flair, technical nous, practicality and impeccable service to see you through. Get a sense of whether they are a good listener, collaborator and problem solver. Checking their references will also be invaluable at this stage so look at their Houzz profile for past customer reviews. Ask to speak to previous clients, particularly regarding their responsiveness and ability to work creatively around a budget.

How much does hiring an architect cost?


There is no set payment structure for an architect. Some Charleston, SC architects will charge an hourly rate, others base their fees on a percentage of the total construction cost or propose a fixed fee (payable in instalments) for projects such as house extensions or a complete home design. You may wish to pay in stages to safeguard against any possible dissatisfaction with the quality of service. Make sure the total figure and payment schedule is agreed as part of your contract, particularly if you are trying to accurately estimate the cost of building a house.

What are the important questions to ask architects in Charleston, SC?


  • How long have you been an architect in Charleston, SC? Are you part of ARB and RIBA? Are you part of any other associations of architectural design in Charleston, SC?
  • How would you improve my current property and what do you think is the best use of my available budget?
  • Please can you tell me about similar projects you have undertaken and why you are the right person for the job?
  • What will be some of the main challenges?
  • Do you have experience of managing the construction phase?
  • Will you be the lead architect on this project?
  • Can you give me an overview of this project and tell me who will be doing what?
  • How long will the project take?
  • What will you charge, and will that be based on an hourly rate, a percentage of the project cost, or a fixed fee?
  • Can you recommend builders and contractors in my area?
  • Is there other expenditure that I might have missed and and how can I sensibly cut those costs?
  • What happens if there is a dispute? How would you resolve it?
  • Do you have professional indemnity insurance?
  • How often will you be updating me on progress, either face to face or on the phone?

Find architects in Charleston, SC on Houzz in the Find a Pro section today. Start by browsing the architects and Charleston, SC architectural design firms near you and assess their reviews, latest projects and contact details.

Find architects and building designers near me on Houzz

Before you hire an architect or building designer in Charleston, browse through our network of 341 architects and building designers. Read through customer reviews, check their past projects and then request a quote from the best architects and building designers near you.
Professional Areas
Dublin · Cork · Limerick · Galway · Waterford · Kilkenny · Dundalk · Sligo · Athlone · Tralee
Ireland
Tailor my experience using cookies

By continuing to browse this site or use this app, I agree the Houzz group may use cookies and similar technologies to improve its products and services, serve me relevant content and to personalise my experience. Learn more.