Arx Design Collaborative: an architecture firm dedicated to a cooperative design process resulting in spaces that truly fit the way you live.

Making the most of your site, your budget, and your builder.

You end up with a design that fits how you always wanted to live.

Arx Design Collaborative is an architecture firm designing new homes and renovations across the Triangle. We are problem-solvers and collaborators. We turn your goals, concepts, and ideas into thoughtful architecture that makes the best use of the site, any existing structure, and the budget.

modern yet warm

smart yet practical

current yet timeless

We take the time to understand how you live, what you value, and what you want your space to achieve. We also talk about what you want from us and how you feel you can best communicate about what you want in the home. From there, we combine thoughtful architectural design, transparent processes, and clear communication to deliver homes and spaces that feel naturally “right”—stunning but not over-complicated.

  • abundant natural light with strong indoor/outdoor connections

  • clutter-free simplicity with clean, modern lines

  • character and warmth with thoughtful architectural detailing

  • Fresh ideas with timeless designs that age with grace

  • Sustainable, low-maintenance materials and designs

  • Approachable, jargon-free language

  • Consistent communication + regular updates

  • Transparent processes and billing

Thank you for the kind words.

  • "Matthew has one of the rarest qualities in a professional of any discipline, the ability to listen. Matthew and his team...listened to our ideas, which admittedly were not always good...or in our best interest. Matthew had the ability to pull...the essentials of what we were trying to achieve with the way we lived our lives and enjoyed our family, to achieve a design that supported the goals underlying our words. He went beyond what we were asking for to find what we truly wanted."

    Neil H. | Home Owner, Amazing Dad and Doctor

  • "Matthew Szymanski was an exceptional architect who we worked with in the revamping our out little old ranch into the show piece home we wanted. We bought our home when we had no kids. A decade and three kids later we...wanted to stay in the neighborhood...but the house...had to change. We...immediately knew that Matthew was the right person to work with. He listened to our wishes and needs and added incredible ideas to transform the dark 3-bedroom ranch into a gorgeous 6-bedroom home with room for the kids, floor to ceiling windows, a breath-taking staircase and views of Chapel Hill, all while being respectful to the neighborhood and the natural space around our home."

    Lisa M | Home Owner, Super Mom and Art Collector

  • "Matthew was easy to work with, knowledgeable, efficient and intuitive. My home design underwent a number of iterations; during the process Matthew consistently and quickly came up with good solutions to difficult problems. He also was excellent at steering me toward design solutions that would work from my own idiosyncrasies but would also maintain the value of my house in the general marketplace."

    Ken G. | Home Owner, Pianist and Music Patron

Everything starts with us listening to you.

Renovating? We make the most of what you have.

Approachable, jargon-free language

Transparent processes and billing

Designing your house feels enjoyable, not overwhelming

Our Process

Arx Design Co. starts each project by building a team: you, the builder, and us.

Our team prioritizes your experience during the design process.  We keep your priorities central throughout and check in with you early and often. This process consistently results in designs that maximize the site, budget, spaces created, and the home-owner experience.

Whether you're exploring new homes or strategic renovations our architectural team brings clarity and confidence to the process.

The Overview | Kicking things off.

We believe in forming a full team early in the project. First, we determine the most effective and enjoyable ways to communicate with you. We then pull your builder into the process as early as possible. This creates a team that can set achievable expectations and sidestep surprises. Involving the contractor in preliminary phases also provides pricing in time to ensure you are applying your resources to the greatest project priorities.

Measured Drawings | Accurate documentation of your home and site

Our first steps on a project involve ensuring we have all the necessary information to move forward effectively. We begin by collecting accurate site information from a current survey. If there’s an existing building, we’ll verify its layout and document any relevant details. This information is used to create the base drawings, which serve as the foundation for all design work as the project progresses.

Schematic Design | Talking, sketching, looking at images, listing goals

We always begin with a conversation. We listen to your hopes for the project, look at photos you have collected, and discuss what type of space you are seeking. With your feedback in hand we will create a range of simple sketches. These are starting points that help us determine the design direction you want to pursue. Continual communication brings us to a design that suits your needs. By the end of this phase, the drawings are ready to get initial feedback from builders.

Design Development | Selecting materials and finalizing details

After establishing the basic design, we shift our focus to refining the details. Using three-dimensional software, we help you better visualize your new space. During this phase, we select materials, organize the layout for structural and mechanical systems, and coordinate with installers and trades to ensure everything integrates seamlessly.

We can take the lead in selecting fixtures and finishes for your home, or we offer assistance in an a-la-carte fashion to provide you with the tools and resources to handle these selections yourself. This collaborative process ensures the design aligns with your vision and the process fits your needs.

Construction Documents | Completing the paperwork that will get your project across the finish line

Arx is fully equipped to manage your project through every detail. Our construction documents will: support permit applications, facilitate financing, and provide the comprehensive information needed for construction.

The specifications will outline all of your selections, ensuring that you and your builder are aligned on project expectations. The detailed drawing set helps eliminate surprises during construction and establishes a clear path for a smooth permitting process. With our experience working with cities and counties across central North Carolina, we are well-prepared to navigate local requirements and ensure the project's success.

Construction Administration | Working with your builder to keep things moving

We stay accessible to your builder through the design process so we can help develop creative solutions to any situations that arise during the build. We prioritize your builder's questions to ensure there are no unnecessary construction delays.