Design Elite Architecture

Design Elite Architecture has been honored with three 2025 American Residential Design Awards (ARDA) in the Custom Home category. The awards were presented by the American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD) at their annual conference in Asheville, North Carolina, recognizing the nation’s most creative and innovative residential designers, builders, remodelers, architects, land developers, and interior designers.
Each winning project reflects Design Elite’s commitment to excellence in design, technical precision, and collaboration with skilled builders:
• Sweet Fern – Perched high atop the Cliffs at Mountain Park, this dramatic mountain modern residence enjoys sweeping views and bold architectural forms. Built by Evergreen Construction, Sweet Fern marries modern lines with natural materials to create a striking connection to its mountain setting.
• Northpoint – A striking modern home on the shores of Lake Keowee, features steel and glass construction that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. Built by Total Quality Construction, the home’s design is a study in transparency, precision, and light.
• Waterfern – Designed for a challenging lot in the Cliffs at Keowee Springs, Waterfern is a refined transitional residence, currently under construction by Ridgeline Construction, that blends timeless architecture with contemporary details.
“These three projects represent the diversity of our work—from mountain modern to lakeside contemporary to transitional elegance—while sharing a common thread of thoughtful design, collaboration, and craftsmanship,” said Brandon Smith of Design Elite.
Founded in 1991, Design Elite Architecture has designed thousands of homes in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina. The firm specializes in high-end residential new construction and renovations, blending creativity, technical expertise, and and an unwavering commitment to client vision.