A custom home architect translates your vision into a structurally sound, beautifully designed home. Pickell Builders has been doing exactly that since 1984. Our award-winning team has delivered custom homes across Chicagoland through a fully integrated design and build process.
We serve Barrington, Lake Forest, Hinsdale, Glencoe, Wilmette, Northbrook, Evanston, Highland Park, Glenview, Naperville, Oak Brook, Libertyville, Deerfield, and Lake Geneva, WI, among many others.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Schedule a consultation today.
Work with a Proven, Cohesive Design Team
Pickell Builders offers a fully integrated design and build experience. From your first meeting through final construction, you work with one team, not a rotating cast of consultants.
Orren Pickell has led every project with hands-on expertise for over 40 years. That depth of experience shapes every home we design.
What That Looks Like in Practice
- Guided process: We walk you through every step, start to finish.
- New builds and renovations: We bring the same attention to both.
- Municipal coordination: We work with local municipalities to secure plan approval.
- Concept to creation: We take your ideas all the way through to finished plans.
Our Custom Home Architect Process, Step by Step
Bring photos, magazine clippings, material samples, and your Houzz ideabooks. We incorporate everything into a personalized design built around how you live. Our team keeps you updated at every stage and works to meet your standards for timeliness, quality, and value.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We start by listening. You share your wish list, and we ask questions about your lifestyle, priorities, and must-haves. This meeting sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Step 2: Concept Development
Your project architects create “bubbles” to define each room’s size and location within the home. This is a flexible, exploratory phase. Big ideas get mapped out before any hard decisions are made.
Step 3: Design Refinement and Plan Revisions
We refine the layout and explore exterior elevations. We incorporate your feedback throughout. This phase typically includes two to three rounds of revisions until the design feels right.
Step 4: Finalized Architectural House Plans
Once you are satisfied with the design, we finalize your construction-ready plans. These include full floor plan development, exterior elevation design, and all documentation required for permitting. We coordinate directly with local municipalities to secure approval.
Step 5: Build Handoff
Our architects and builders team work together under one roof. The transition from design to construction is seamless. Your vision moves directly from blueprint to build. Learn more about our custom home construction process.
Personalize Your Architectural House Plans
We help you explore a wide range of options, features, and finishes. Every choice is guided by what works best for your lifestyle. Throughout the process, you have access to a dedicated client portal where you can review your selections at any time.
What Selection Support Looks Like
- Selections support: We assist in the selection process as much or as little as you need.
- Trusted vendors: We work only with reputable vendors and subcontractors.
- Material guidance: We recommend materials and products that meet your specific needs and budget.
Why Choose Pickell Builders as Your Custom Home Architect?
Not all design/build firms are the same. Here is what sets Pickell apart.
| What We Offer | What It Means for You |
| Award-winning team | Architects with a proven record of design excellence and innovation |
| Four decades of experience | Since 1984, Orren Pickell has led every project with hands-on expertise |
| Integrated design and build | Architects and builders work as one team, eliminating miscommunication and delays |
| Municipal coordination | We handle permitting and compliance so you do not have to |
| Full-service approach | Everything from concept sketches to construction-ready plans under one roof |
| Creative problem-solving | High-end solutions to your unique design challenges |
Your Dream Home Starts Here. Your Architect Already Knows the Way.
Choosing the right custom home architect is one of the most important decisions you will make. Many firms hand your project off between designers, contractors, and consultants. Pickell keeps everything under one roof.
That means fewer surprises, cleaner communication, and a finished home that matches what you envisioned. Our clients stay informed, stay on schedule, and move into homes they love.
We as a custom home builder create plans that fit your location and exceed your expectations. Four decades of integrated design and build experience make that possible. Before hiring any architect in Illinois, it is worth taking a moment to verify their license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
FAQs About Pickell Builders Custom Home Architects
Do I need a custom home architect for my new build?
Requirements vary by location, but working with a professional architect is strongly recommended. A licensed architect ensures your home is structurally sound, code-compliant, and designed around how you actually live. With Pickell, that expertise is built into every project from day one.
How do I hire an architect for a custom home?
Start with a conversation. At your first meeting with Pickell, we listen to your goals, ask questions, and begin shaping a plan. Our architects and builders work as one team, so the process stays straightforward from your first call through move-in day.
What is included in Pickell’s architectural design service?
Our design service includes concept drawings, floor plan development, exterior elevation design, plan revisions, and final construction-ready plans. You also receive access to a dedicated client portal to review selections at your convenience.
Can Pickell handle renovations as well as new builds?
Yes. We apply the same level of service and attention to whole-house remodeling, additions, kitchen remodeling, and bathroom remodeling as we do to new construction. Every project gets our full effort.