designWise studio is a small, flexible architectural design studio based in Brevard, North Carolina. We specialize in regionally inspired contemporary residential design with a focus on thoughtful collaboration and personal attention.
As a studio practice, we maintain close involvement in every project—allowing for careful attention to design, schedule, and budget. Our process is intentionally hands-on and tailored to each client, creating homes that are both highly personal and deeply connected to their surroundings.
With decades of combined experience, our work spans a range of project types and scales, from custom homes and renovations to select civic and cultural projects. We are committed to creating architecture that enhances the lives of our clients while contributing positively to the broader landscape and community.
Our design philosophy centers on clarity and restraint—an emphasis on form, proportion, and scale as the fundamental elements of good design. We see architecture as a language that is both intuitive and enduring, capable of shaping meaningful and lasting places.
Today, designWise studio operates as a collaborative architectural practice, bringing together complementary perspectives to guide projects from initial vision through construction.Residential Architect in Brevard, NC”
Custom home architect Brevard North Carolina”
Architect for mountain homes in Brevard”
About us
Lauren Wise:
Lauren received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Warren Wilson College. After working in residential construction for many years, he went on to earn his Master of Architecture degree at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. In all, Lauren has nearly 30 years of experience in the home building industry.
Lauren believes strongly in the collaborative nature of architecture and the importance of nurturing strong connections with team members, clients, and builders through active listening and clear communication. Deeply influenced by the area’s rich history of vernacular architecture, Lauren understands how well-executed design can enrich the lives of clients and make a positive economic, cultural, and aesthetic impact on the region.
Public service is deeply important to Lauren, especially in the Brevard/Transylvania County community. He is currently a member of the Brevard City Council. Previously, he sat on the Joint Historic Preservation Committee, was chair of the Transylvania County Planning Board, and is currently sitting on the Ecusta Trail Advisory Board. He is also a U.S. Army Combat Veteran.
Lauren has worked with:
Ken Gaylord/Blackhawk Construction, Hendersonville, N.C.
Keith Hargrove Architect
Key Projects:
Buncombe County Courthouse, Asheville
Legerton Architecture, Asheville, N.C.
Altura Architects, Asheville, N.C.
Key Projects:
Harding Huebner Architects, Asheville, N.C.
Key Projects:
PLATT, Brevard, N.C.
Reid deJarnette Wood, RA, AIA, LEED AP:
Reid is a registered architect who designs thoughtful, site-responsive custom homes throughout the Southeast and Mountain West. She brings more than two decades of experience to her work, grounded in a belief that the best residential architecture grows from close collaboration between client, architect, and builder, and from a careful understanding of each site and its surrounding landscape.
Before becoming part of designWise studio, Reid spent seven years with PLATT in Brevard, where she served as Project Manager on a number of complex residential projects as well as the Parker Concert Hall at the Brevard Music Center. Known for her attentive and responsive communication style, she is particularly skilled at coordinating the many moving parts of complex projects—from consultants and engineers to contractors and craftspeople. Her collaborative approach helps guide projects smoothly from initial vision through construction, allowing clients to focus on the excitement of building while she manages the many details behind the scenes.
Earlier in her career, Reid worked with respected architecture firms in North Carolina, Idaho, and Georgia, gaining experience in residential design, historic preservation, and sustainable building practices. Her work has also included select civic and cultural projects.
As a LEED-accredited professional, Reid is particularly interested in projects that thoughtfully integrate energy efficiency, durable materials, and responsible site planning while remaining deeply connected to their natural surroundings.
Outside the studio, Reid is active in the Brevard community. She serves on the Brevard Planning Board, the Brevard Board of Adjustment, and the Brevard Sustainability Council.
Harrison Design, Atlanta, GA
Living Architecture, Ketchum, ID
Harris Architects, Brevard, NC
Key Projects:
ACM Design, Fletcher. NC
Key Projects:
PLATT, Brevard, NC
Key projects:
Parker Concert Hall at Brevard Music Center
CONTACT US
CONTACT
828.335.2919
lauren@designwisestudio.us
Brevard, NC
designWise studio is a residential architecture firm based in Brevard, North Carolina, specializing in custom homes, renovations, and modern mountain architecture. We design thoughtful, site-specific homes throughout Brevard, Transylvania County, and Western North Carolina.