Shelly is such a joy to work with, very knowledgeable, and determined. She is a dedicated individual who goes the extra mile to reach out to the community in promoting green practices and her love of architecture. Since meeting her about four years ago, we have cleaned our local beaches and educated the community on green building practices at both local USGBC North Florida events and at the Wild Amelia Nature Festival. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for guidance on green building practices or their next architecture project!
Thoughtfully Designed Homes for Southern Living
20+ Years of Experience
Client-Centered Process
Southern Lifestyle Focused
Where Southern Charm Meets Modern Design
Rawls Architecture brings over 20 years of residential design expertise to North Florida's coastal communities. Our approach blends traditional Southern architectural elements with modern functionality to create homes that are both beautiful and livable.
With deep roots in Amelia Island since 2001, we understand the unique character of our region and have the experience necessary to help you navigate local building requirements with ease.
Shelly Rawls | Principal Architect
From Coastal Retreats to Family Homes, Our Portfolio Showcases Functional Beauty Designed for the Southern Lifestyle
Helping Our Clients Create Beautiful, Functional Living Spaces for Every Season of Life
New Residential Builds
Custom homes designed specifically for your lifestyle and the unique characteristics of your property. We thoughtfully balance aesthetics, functionality, and budget to create your ideal living environment.
Renovations / Additions
Transform your existing home into a space that better serves your current lifestyle. Our remodeling designs respect the original character while introducing fresh functionality and aesthetic updates.
The Best Measure of Our Success is Client Satisfaction
"A Joy to Work With"
Shelly is such a joy to work with, very knowledgeable, and determined. She is a dedicated individual who goes the extra mile to reach out to the community in promoting green practices and her love of architecture. Since meeting her about four years ago, we have cleaned our local beaches and educated the community on green building practices at both local USGBC North Florida events and at the Wild Amelia Nature Festival. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for guidance on green building practices or their next architecture project!
Ashley Powell
"Detail Oriented and Courteous"
I have worked with Shelly on product specifications in the past and have found her to be very detail oriented. She exhibits a level of professionalism and courtesy that unfortunately is not commonplace in today’s atmosphere.
Wayne Holmes
"Terrific and Knowledgeable"
Ms. Rawls was terrific at helping me make build-out decisions for my business—she was very professional, knowledgeable, and quick to get right to the most important issues.
Rebecca Reznick
"Excellent Designer"
Shelly is an excellent designer. She works in a timely manner, has excellent written and verbal communications skills and is detail oriented. We have worked with many of her designs which show forward thinking, imagination and an ability think well beyond the usual, and she is always a pleasure to be around.
Charlie Monroe
"An Incredible Job"
Shelly did an excellent job of not only creating the plans for a 3 story, 3800 sq. ft. townhome that I recently completed but was also very helpful anytime there was a problem during the actual construction. She was on the jobsite when necessary and always had a good solution for any complications that arose. She saw the job through from paper to completion and was always a pleasure to work with.
Carl Pearce
"Enthusiastic and Professional"
Given her enthusiasm, professionalism, and experience, I find that Shelly Rawls is an extremely valuable person to work with.
Reilly Rabitaille
"Reliable and Valuable Resource"
She was always a pleasure to work with, did very good work, and was reliable. Her contributions to the team were significant and she was a valuable resource throughout the process. We hope we have opportunities to work with Shelly again in the future.
Stan Everett
"Thoughtful and Deliberate"
She is very thoughtful and deliberate yet flexible in her decisions. Her professionalism and knowledge in her field was very helpful in handling the fine details that went into the project. I would highly recommend working with her and hope to do so again in the future.
Crystal Floyd
"Absolutely Wonderful to Work With"
Shelly has been absolutely wonderful to work with. She is timely, efficient, listens to my needs, and goes above and beyond to make sure the project gets done correctly. I feel blessed to have had the pleasure to work with her.
Jennifer Towles
"Highly Functional and Pleasing"
Shelly Rawls worked with my wife and I to develop a home design that was architecturally pleasing as well as highly functional. She listened to our requirements, answered our questions and provided us with alternatives that would enhance the overall design. Definitely a pleasure to work with and we would highly recommend her for any architectural project.
Charles Illi
"Historic Preservation Expertise with Unmatched Professionalism"
Ms. Rawls expertly designed plans for our historic restoration project that incorporated City code requirements—such as accessibility and fire code—while maintaining the historic fabric of the building and providing the needed amenities for our office use. She handled challenging decisions with creativity and guided our organization through difficult choices with patience and insight. Her professionalism and dedication, coupled with a positive attitude, provided an excellent working relationship throughout the restoration experience. I highly recommend Shelly Rawls.
Carmen Godwin
"Shelly Designed Our Dream Home"
Shelly designed our dream home. She translated our ideas and lifestyle objectives into an innovative design that is beautiful and designed to age in place. She is highly recommended. We could not have had a better experience.
Roy Ozols
"Amazing Professional"
We highly recommend Rawls Architecture!! Shelly was great at communicating with us and listening to our thoughts for our new home. She added her ideas and details to design the perfect home for us! She is an amazing professional that we look forward to working with in the future!
Walker Palmer
"Highly Recommended!"
Shelly worked with us through a pretty major addition to our home. She was very easy to talk with and listened carefully to our needs and wants. Shelly came back with a great plan for our project with all the details carefully worked out. It was a pleasure to work with her. Very highly recommended!
Diane Wells
Featured Design Styles Adapted to Your Personal Preferences and the Unique Character of Your Property
Embrace Southern Elegance with Low Country Design
Our Low Country homes honor the regional architectural heritage with their elevated main floors, expansive porches, and classic proportions.
Built to withstand coastal weather while maximizing cross-ventilation and outdoor living space, these designs are perfectly attuned to Florida's northern coast.
Discover the Aesthetic Beauty of Handcrafted Details
Emphasizing natural materials, visible craftsmanship, and organic forms, our Arts and Crafts designs celebrate honest construction and architectural integrity.
These homes feature exposed structural elements, handcrafted woodwork, and thoughtful built-ins that showcase quality materials and craftsmanship throughout.
Capture the Essence of Traditional Florida Living
Drawing from Florida's rich architectural history, these designs feature metal roofs, raised floors, deep porches, and natural ventilation systems perfectly adapted to our climate.
Originally built by Florida's early settlers, these homes evolved specific responses to the hot, humid environment long before air conditioning existed.
Blend Modern Design with Southern Sensibility
Our contemporary designs feature open floor plans, abundant natural light, and clean architectural lines while maintaining warmth through materials and thoughtful proportions.
These homes reimagine Southern architectural principles for today's lifestyles, with flexible spaces that flow seamlessly from indoors to out.
Our Streamlined Three-Phase Process Ensures Your Project Progresses Smoothly from Concept to Completion
01
Planning
Phase One
Planning
During this initial phase, we listen carefully to understand your vision, lifestyle needs, and design preferences. We analyze your property, considering factors like site orientation, views, topography, and local building regulations to identify both opportunities and constraints.
This foundational work culminates in preliminary sketches, floor plans, and a front elevation that begins to translate your ideas into architectural form. We'll discuss budget considerations and establish priorities to guide decision-making throughout the project.
02
design
Phase Two
Design
With your approval of the initial concept, we develop the design in greater detail, including all exterior elevations and refined floor plans. This phase brings your home to life through material selections, architectural details, and spatial relationships that reflect your style and functional requirements.
We'll create 3D visualizations to help you fully understand how your home will look and feel, making adjustments as needed. This collaborative process ensures the final design perfectly balances aesthetics, functionality, and budget before moving into the technical documentation phase.
03
documentation
Phase Three
Documentation
The final phase transforms your approved design into comprehensive construction documents that builders will use to bring your home to reality. We create detailed drawings, specifications, and schedules that communicate every aspect of the design to contractors, subcontractors, and building officials.
We navigate the permitting process with local authorities and architectural review boards, addressing any requirements to secure approvals. Throughout construction, we remain available to answer questions and ensure the project is executed according to plan, preserving the integrity of your design vision.
Over Two Decades of Building Community
Through partnerships with non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Take Stock in Children, we help strengthen the places we all call home.
How Long Does The Architecture Process Typically Take?
Our process unfolds in three main phases: Planning, Design, and Documentation. For most residential projects, the design and documentation phases typically take 3-6 months, depending on project complexity and client decision-making. The construction phase varies widely based on project scope but generally ranges from 8-14 months for new homes. We provide detailed timelines during our initial consultation based on your specific project requirements.
How Do You Handle Budgeting for Residential Projects?
We believe in transparent communication about costs from the beginning. During the Planning Phase, we discuss your budget goals and help establish realistic expectations based on current construction costs, your desired square footage, and quality level. Throughout the design process, we make recommendations to help you prioritize investments for maximum impact while providing guidance on where savings can be found without compromising quality.
How Do You Help Navigate the Permitting Process?
With over two decades of experience in Nassau County, we have established relationships with local building departments and architectural review boards. We handle all permit submissions, attend review meetings on your behalf, and address any requirements or revisions needed for approval. Our familiarity with local codes and design guidelines helps streamline what can otherwise be a challenging process.
Do You Work with Clients Who Are Building from Out of State?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are relocating to Florida from other states. We've developed effective communication systems including video conferences, digital design presentations, and regular updates to keep remote clients fully involved in the process. Our local expertise also helps newcomers understand the unique considerations of building in Florida, from climate-responsive design to navigating local building regulations.
What Makes Rawls Architecture Different from Other Design Firms in the Area?
Our combination of artistic design education, over two decades of local experience, and personal approach sets us apart. We limit our project load to ensure each client receives dedicated attention, and our deep understanding of North Florida's architectural context allows us to create homes that are both beautiful and perfectly suited to the local environment. Our clients particularly value our ability to balance distinctive design with practical functionality.
Can You Provide Recommendations for Contractors and Project Partners?
Yes, we maintain relationships with trusted contractors, interior designers, landscape architects, and engineers who share our commitment to quality. Based on your specific project needs and budget, we can recommend professionals who would be a good fit. We typically suggest getting multiple bids and are happy to review them with you to ensure you're making informed decisions about your project team.
Let’s Design Your Southern Dream Home Together
Schedule a consultation to discuss your project needs and discover how we can guide you through creating a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle.
