--- title: "Distinctive Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/distinctive-architecture-pfvwus-pf~721674342 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~721674342.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Distinctive Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/f153419d001d699b_9611-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "3517 Westglen Road, Durham, North Carolina 27705, United States" latitude: 36.0218 longitude: -78.9478 phone: "(919) 403-0357" website: http://www.distinctive-architecture.com rating: 5 review_count: 7 followers: 83 last_updated: 2026-08-16 --- # Distinctive Architecture Original Houzz profile: [Distinctive Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/distinctive-architecture-pfvwus-pf~721674342) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Durham, NC - **Serves:** Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Gorman, Efland, Bahama - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Distinctive Architecture provides functional, artistic, customer-focused architectural services of value to homeowners, prospective homeowners and homebuilders. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - Space Planning - Universal Design - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - Raleigh - Durham - Chapel Hill - Carrboro - Hillsborough - Gorman - Efland - Bahama ### Typical Job Cost $500,000 - 2,000,000 Each client's budget is thoughtfully analyzed in light of project goals and priorities, as well as well as balancing with local market valuations ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Distinctive Architecture | | Address | 3517 Westglen Road, Durham, North Carolina 27705, United States | | Phone | (919) 403-0357 | | Website | http://www.distinctive-architecture.com | | License Number | 4584 | | Followers on Houzz | 83 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Distinctive Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/distinctive-architecture-pfvwus-pf~721674342) - **Website:** http://www.distinctive-architecture.com - **Phone:** (919) 403-0357 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Corporate license 51283 ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews** ### All 7 reviews **★★★★★ — Andy Krichman, Aug. 2019** > Bill Waddell of Distinctive Architecture has been an excellent choice for the many customers we at Krichco Construction have referred to him. Bill does an excellent job of asking questions to understand a customer, truly listening to the answers and then coming up with solutions that meet the customers needs, desires, and budget. Bill is a clear thinker and communicator that very much cares about his client and project. Bill thinks, and visualizes on a deeper more thoughtful level than most and clearly articulates his ideas in words and drawings that everyone can easily understand. I have personally referred and worked with Bill on over 40 projects in about 15 years and have been thoroughly pleased every single time. When an issue comes up he is quick to resolve it, works diligently to meet deadlines, and keeps projects on track. > > Bill is the consummate professional you want on your team when designing a quality renovation or new home. I have worked with Bill on projects from $150,000 to $2,000,000 with top quality results every time. Distinctive Architecture has the knowledge and experience to make any project more successful when Bill is involved. He is a true asset to the profession. **★★★★★ — Barry Nakell, April 2019** > Distinctive architecture designed and supervised a major remodeling of our home and did a superb job. Bill Waddell was always extremely pleasant to work with, understood our preferences and worked well with him at the same time as he brought his own strategies and ideas to the discussion. We were entirely pleased with the results. A few years later, we wanted to make some additional changes of a lessor nature, and of course we called on Distinctive Architecture for help. Some of these changes were more of a interior design character but Bill Waddell again was extremely helpful with all of these new ideas and we greatly enjoyed working with him once again. We would recommend Distinctive Architecture without reservation **★★★★★ — Les Harmon, March 2019** > We hired Bill Waddell to help with a whole house renovation and we couldn't have been more pleased with his creative ideas, knowledge, and professionalism. He always listened to us carefully and paid very close attention to what we wanted and needed. The renovation took almost a year to complete, and every step of the way Bill communicated with us in a timely fashion and always met deadlines. He was also kind, encouraging, and optimistic during times when progress was moving along slowly or we came across obstacles. I would recommend Bill to anyone without reservation! **★★★★★ — John Taylor, Feb. 2019** > We found, and recruit Bill, roughly 10 years ago to design a complete renovation of a mid-century modern Deck House in Duke Forest, NC. We instantly knew that Bill "got us" and was completely in sync with our hopes for the end result. We were more than pleased with the finished product - we were ecstatic! Not only did Bill's plans meet with our approval but he was on-site nearly (if not always) daily to ensure that our contractors and subs followed the plans and notes to the letter. Bill was amazing! **★★★★★ — dmiggy, Feb. 2019** > It was such a pleasure to work with Bill. Prior to initiation of design, the homeowner is asked to share how they utilize space, how the space should feel, etc. I especially appreciated the collaborative nature of the design process in which Bill applied his extensive design expertise to the needs of the homeowner. This project was the renovation of a home built circa 1930 into a contemporary home which required a high degree of creativity. I could not be more pleased with the result. **★★★★★ — The Bull City Woodshop, April 2017** > Bill did a phenomenal job listening to me and my wife and helping us turn our thoughts into design considerations and ultimately a good plan. He was also helpful working with us as the project got underway and we needed to get back on track with the GC. Great person to work with and great architecture and design services!! **★★★★★ — cglouis, Sept. 2015** > Bill Waddell listens to his clients and then conveys their wants and dreams to a design. He is a great advocate for the client and interfaces well with the building contractor and subs for a successful result! ## Selected projects - [3 Pavilions](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/3-pavilions-pj-vj~67229) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 31 - Description: Custom Residence - [Modern Prairie Style](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-prairie-style-pj-vj~1040235) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 14 - Description: Custom residence - [European Influences](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/european-influences-pj-vj~5653217) - Location: Raleigh, NC - Photos: 31 - [Low Country Redux](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/low-country-redux-pj-vj~5656398) - Location: Raleigh, NC - Photos: 20 - [Modern Neighbor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-neighbor-pj-vj~2932662) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 10 - Description: Custom Home Design - [Gambrel in a Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gambrel-in-a-garden-pj-vj~1430475) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 20 - Description: Whole-house transformation - [Family Lake House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/family-lake-house-pj-vj~5656414) - Location: Semora, NC - Photos: 17 - [Modern Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-transformation-pj-vj~2932638) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 39 - [Light From Above](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/light-from-above-pj-vj~1040182) - Location: Chapel Hill, NC - Photos: 33 - Description: Whole house transformation - [Deck House Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/deck-house-remodel-pj-vj~67514) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 22 - Description: Whole house remodel and transformation - [Hilltop Views](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hilltop-views-pj-vj~5500826) - Location: Chapel Hill, NC - Photos: 19 - [Gambrel on the Lake](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gambrel-on-the-lake-pj-vj~5500928) - Location: Roxboro, NC - Photos: 14 - [Sun Forest Renewed](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sun-forest-renewed-pj-vj~1428086) - Location: Chapel Hill, NC - Photos: 17 - Description: Interior transformation - [Light and Elegant](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/light-and-elegant-pj-vj~5500933) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 20 - [Poolside Additions](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/poolside-additions-pj-vj~1428041) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 18 - Description: Pool House - [Inside-Outside](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/inside-outside-pj-vj~1040247) - Location: Chapel Hill, NC - Photos: 25 - Description: Whole-house remodel - [Bungalow Enhancement](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bungalow-enhancement-pj-vj~5500816) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 19 - [Cape Cod Update](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cape-cod-update-pj-vj~5500831) - Location: Chapel Hill, NC - Photos: 22 - [Relaxed and Refined](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/relaxed-and-refined-pj-vj~5500821) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 16 - [Garage and Pavilion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garage-and-pavilion-pj-vj~67432) - Location: Durham, NC - Photos: 7 - Description: Entry Porch and Garage Addition [See all 20 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/distinctive-architecture-pfvwus-pf~721674342) ## Community Q&A **Q: What is the cabinet material?** *(in Photo Questions)* I have a Deck home and want to get new doors on my 80's style formica kitchen cabinets Any suggestions?? A: Judy, Thanks for posing your question. The cabinets against the walls have door and drawer fronts from quarter-sliced maple veneers over an MDF core with a clear, matte, conversion varnish finish. The cabinets on the island have door and drawer fronts from plain-sliced sapele mahogany veneers over an MDF core with a “coffee” stain and clear, matte, conversion varnish finish. All cabinets were custom made. Regards, Bill **Q: what color is the stucco painted?** *(in Photo Questions)* I am trying to match my exterior to this house - including the grey - I know those are prefinished shingles but wondering if you know the grey color also? thank you! A: The foundation is a pre-cast concrete system that has H&C brand decorative concrete stain in “Espresso” **Q: can you tell me what the counter top is and the name of the color?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: "Light Silt" quartz from Cosmos Granite and Marble in Raleigh, NC https://www.cosmosgranite.com/raleigh/quartz/raleigh-1216-light-silt-cq-3cm **Q: What color are the shakes?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The soffits are stained yellow pine in a profile referred to in the piedmont North Carolina region at 1x6 V-joint tongue and groove boards **Q: Exhaust hood and receptacles.** *(in Photo Questions)* Bill, your photo has inspired me. I've decided to bite the bullet and flip the sitting area and the kitchen. I notice that this customer has utilized the whole space as a kitchen. Is this space 30' long? We have split the space (or the previous owners did and I haven't thought to change it till now), but 30' seems like too huge a kitchen to me. Thanks for your thoughts. Also, can you tell what the strip with the electrical outlet is made of? Is it just drywall? Lastly, do you know who makes the hood, or was it custom? A: The overall length of the kitchen is 28 feet. The end of the counter on the right that disappears out of the photo toward you is used as an eating space, open underneath so 4 tall chairs/short stools fit. The electrical strip outlet is LeGrand's 2000TR series tamper-resistant multioutlet system. It is a metal raceway/extrusion with outlets every so often. The hood is Broan's Elite 63000, “Rangemaster Provisa” **Q: Floors?** *(in Photo Questions)* Our home is just like this and we are finally replacing flooring. Do you happen to know the type of wood used in this remodel? Thanks. A: The dark brown paint/stain on the post and beam system, the deep, rich tones of the mahogany windows and the cedar ceilings all soak up light and tend to give deck houses a somber, muted interior character. You cannot put too much daylight and electric light into them. If you have a light toned floor and overhead lights that reflect off it, you'll get a much brighter feel to the space. Note in the images of my project that we introduced a lot of track and pendant lighting for this very purpose. Best wishes on your project - Bill --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-16.*