Charlotte Architects Charlotte, NC

Charlotte architect builds a great reputation

By Meranda Watling

When Angie's List member Jason Driggers sought help turning his ideas for a home addition into construction drawings, he turned to Robert Porter, owner of Design Plus 3, Inc. in Charlotte, N.C.

Design Plus 3 specializes in residential design and construction drawings and earned the Super Service Award for architects and building design in 2008, 2009 and 2010.  "I like to meet people and see their dreams come to fruition," Porter says.

The major project included a new master bedroom, sunroom, deck, garage and upper level. The remodeling plans encompassed all but two rooms in Driggers' 15-year-old Huntersville house. "He was receptive to the ideas I had, and he knew right off the bat if it was feasible or not," Driggers says. "Usually by the time I came up with an idea, he'd already thought of it and the issues had already been addressed."

Porter began his career drawing residential building plans for custom homes, and after three decades of jobs and classes in nearly every facet of construction, from commercial consultant to real estate agent, he still hand drafts everything. He's faster at and more detailed drawing by hand than on the computer. "I started off in commercial and fine arts, so I like to draw," he says. "I like the design part of the business most, but meeting potential clients might be equal to that."

Porter's knowledge of the entire building process - from design to construction to resale - has helped garner the company its high ratings on the List. "The more knowledge you have about what it is you do, the more valuable you are," Porter says. "But I didn't like working for someone else." So he started Design Plus 3 - a name that refers to the three company operators: Porter; his wife, Trudy; and God.

Porter moved the business from California to Charlotte in 2004 to simplify his life, and escape the high cost of living and earthquakes. His specialization in remodels and additions helped during the recession, as people chose to remodel instead of move. "I love it," he says of this work. "If you don't like what you're doing, you shouldn't be doing it."