North Carolina is a haven of natural beauty, offering a blend of serene beaches, verdant mountains, and vibrant cities. It cherishes rich history and fosters creativity while upholding a strong sense of community. Complementing these qualities, the state hosts an array of gifted interior architects. Below are eight of North Carolina’s finest selected for their distinguished awards, impressive experience, and captivating portfolios.

LS3P

227 W. Trade St, Suite 700, Charlotte, NC 28202

With a rich legacy over 59 years, LS3P represents a harmonious fusion of architecture, interiors, and planning. Established in 1963, the firm’s offerings encapsulate the expertise and resources characteristic of large organizations while prioritizing personalized service. LS3P, having laid down its roots in the Southeast, creates architecture that invigorates the community through its culture of design excellence, originality, and collaboration.

The leadership team, comprising Chairman Emeritus Thompson Penney, FAIA, and principals from various regional offices, brings diverse experience, accolades, and international recognition to the firm. Over the years, LS3P’s portfolio of projects, including the 101 North Third Office Building and Live Oak Bank Campus, has garnered significant accolades, such as the Business North Carolina Magazine Commercial Design Award and the 2020 AIA SAR Wood Award.

Further solidifying its reputation, LS3P has been recognized in various publications, including Urban Land Magazine and Architect Magazine. As a firm committed to sustainable architecture, it holds certifications such as LEED Platinum, Gold, and Silver.

EVOKE Studio Architecture

401 Foster St, Suite B1, Durham, NC 27701

EVOKE Studio Architecture, based in Durham, NC, is a distinguished design practice specializing in architecture, design-visioning, and master planning. Established in 2016, it views architecture as the tactile manifestation of narratives that amplify societal priorities, beliefs, and aspirations across time. Guided by co-founders and principals Edwin Harris, Teri Canada, and Billy Askey, all recognized leaders in their fields, the firm has carved out a unique position in the architecture industry.

The firm has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the 2021 Firm of the Year Award from AIA Triangle and the 2023 AIA Triangle Design Merit Award. The principals are active members of the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects, with LEED AP certifications underscoring their commitment to sustainable design.

EVOKE Studio Architecture has been featured in publications such as Architect Magazine and The News & Observer, bolstering its esteemed reputation in the design community.

C DESIGN

1000 West Morehead St, Suite 170, Charlotte, NC 28208

C DESIGN is a well-established design practice driven by core values of loyalty, honesty, humility, and dedication since its founding in 2003. It has grown to tackle a diverse array of high-profile projects, earning a reputation for creative design solutions, environmental stewardship, and fiscal responsibility.

Under the leadership of Founding Principal and Chief Strategist Robert C. Crane Jr., the firm emphasizes nurturing strong relationships through open communication, imaginative solutions, project leadership, and accountability for the design and construction process. Its commitment to quality and service is mirrored in a series of prestigious recognitions, including the 2020 AIA North Carolina Firm Of The Year and the 2018 AIA Charlotte Firm Of The Year.

The firm is renowned for its LEED-certified and Green Globe-certified buildings, with features in Office Snapshots and Archello bolstering its profile. With 19 years in the industry, C DESIGN stands as a testament to enduring excellence in architectural design.

Andre Johnson Architects

172 Mine Lake Ct, Ste. 200, Raleigh, NC 27615

Established in 2013, Andre Johnson Architects (AJA) has a legacy of creative and award-winning projects that span North Carolina. Comprising architects, interior designers, and consultants, it seeks to design provocative buildings and spaces that respond to their physical and cultural contexts. Its projects range in size from 500 to 300,000 square feet, for both public and private clients. It operates with a commitment to communication, collaboration, and engagement, designing spaces that prioritize human-centeredness and environmental responsibility.

Led by Andre Johnson, a professional with 24 years of experience, it fuses design excellence with service, collaboration, diversity, and mentoring. Its impressive portfolio, recognized with multiple awards, including the Architectural Record Design Vanguard in 2021, underscores its ethos. With features in prominent publications such as the Triangle Business Journal and Architectural Record, AJA stands out as a distinguished design practice in its ninth year of operation.

Kersting Architecture

4022 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28403

For 27 years, Kersting Architecture has delivered thoughtful, progressive design solutions to enhance client and community life. Since its inception in 1995 by Michael Ross Kersting, it has pursued the creation of authentic, provocative, meaningful, and responsive places. It derives ideas from understanding specific client needs and the unique characteristics of each project, embodying Louis Kahn’s belief in “the thoughtful making of space.” 

Long-term associates Mark Wilson and Toby Keeton, now partner principals, bring their rich educational backgrounds and experience to uphold these values. Recognized in numerous awards, including the 2023 Ocean Homes Top 50 Coastal Interior Designers, it evidences its commitment to superior design quality. Its reputation is further highlighted by frequent press features in notable publications such as Wrightsville Beach Magazine and WilmingtonBiz. As an AIA-accredited company, Kersting Architecture continues to hold a distinguished presence in the architecture industry.

Thoughtcraft Architects

331 W Main St, Suite 204, Durham, NC 27701

Established in 2005, ThoughtCraft Architects harmonizes spirited exploration with precision and logic to create architecture connecting people to their surroundings. It captures its clients’ unique character and vision, working on an extensive range of projects from residential and multifamily buildings to commercial, institutional, and civic structures, including the adaptive reuse of historic edifices.

Guiding this mission are founding partners Jason Hart and Chris Johns. Hart, leading operations in North Carolina, brings two decades of diverse experience, managing projects up to $40 million in budget. Based in the Boston studio, Johns offers an award-winning design approach grounded in extensive design and hands-on construction experience.

ThoughtCraft’s high-quality, thoughtful designs have earned accolades like the 2022 Residential Architect magazine award. With press features in notable publications such as Chatham Magazine and Dwell, ThoughtCraft solidifies its standing in the field as an AIA and LEED AP-certified firm.

Louis Cherry Architecture

222 North Bloodworth St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Established in 2013, Louis Cherry Architecture (LCA) is a boutique firm that offers tailored architecture and interior design services. Its projects span residential, commercial, and community-based facilities, all underscored by a strong commitment to sustainable design. LCA’s design philosophy is anchored in the modernist tradition of functional beauty, believing that design should naturally spring from its use and purpose. It shows a deep respect for the context in which its structures will exist, always aiming to enrich surrounding urban or rural environments.

The principal, Louis Cherry, brings a rich tapestry of experiences in literature, art, and architecture and has practiced in North Carolina since 1983. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a LEED design professional, Cherry’s leadership has steered LCA to gain recognition in publications such as Modern Homestead, Raleigh Magazine, and Residential Architect magazine.

Calico Studio

1141 Smith Level Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Established in 2011, Calico Studio champions a multidisciplinary approach to design that draws from the crew’s extensive experience in architecture, graphic, and product design. With its founder, Heather R.B. Washburn, a North Carolina State University alumnus leading the way, the firm has consistently created designs that go beyond the norm. It fosters a work culture that appreciates the artistic side of design and its meticulous process. It continuously seeks opportunities to explore original materials, forms, and processes.

In its commitment to environmental responsibility, the firm draws wisdom from nature as an invaluable resource in its design process. This harmonious blend of creativity, curiosity, and respect for the environment forms the cornerstone of its design philosophy. The studio’s work and original design approach have garnered recognition in esteemed publications such as e-architect and Architizer.