Sam co-founded the firm in 1979. He grew up in Randleman, North Carolina and graduated from North Carolina State University School of Design with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He is widely recognized for his work in architecture and interior design wherein his lifelong passion for houses and gardens has been continually reflected in his professional career. His travels and observations throughout England, Europe and the United States have afforded him the opportunity to discover the best design of the past and present. Inspired in particular by all things English, he is influenced by traditional materials and design. His work is primarily in the Southeast with a particular concentration in Charlotte and Blowing Rock, where he and his wife Glenda maintain a second home and garden.
Mark graduated from North Carolina State University School of Design and received his Masters in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis. Before joining the firm in 1984, his work was focused on historic preservation and re-habitation in St. Louis, Missouri and Durham, North Carolina. His love of history is continually employed in residences that evoke the language of historic design, and he is committed to the notion that Design styles are a language, and we work to be fluent, whether it is Spanish Colonial, 18th Century New England, or the early 20th century regional vernacular of the Appalachians. An accomplished sketch artist, he is able to visualize the context of each design in its unique setting, and on a 3-dimensional level, enjoys the tactile experiences that can be found in woodworking and detailing.
Mark was born in Kalispell, Montana and lived as a child in California and the West Indies before his family settled in Charlotte. His father had a pilot's license and showed Mark the country from the air. This variety of experience bred in him a passion for travel, and he and his wife Karen have taken their son Eric to every corner of the United States and Italy. They have personally remodeled their 1914 Dutch Colonial home in Myers Park where their two Golden Retrievers and a Newfoundland named Groot keep life active.
Inspired by its commitment to design, Matt joined the firm in 1998. Growing up, much of Matt's time was spent in the garage with his father or in art museums with his mother. The two would provide him a combination of skills and passions that would eventually lead to a career that is both practical and artistic. Matt's studies in visual art began in high school and continued at Denison University where he received a degree in Studio Art. While enrolled at the Master of Architecture program at Georgia Tech, he traveled extensively to study architecture throughout Europe.
Throughout his career he has focused his studies on the nuances of each historical style. Matt's work can be found up and down the east coast, in projects as diverse as 18th century historical structures on Cumberland Island, Victorian lake cottages in New York, and Modernist houses in Charlotte. His designs have been seen in publications such as Southern Living, House Beautiful, and Luxe.
He is a licensed member of the American Institute of Architecture, a LEED Accredited Professional by the U.S. Green Building Council, a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, and the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. Matt serves on the Collections Committee for the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and on the Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees. He enjoys his 1956 mid century modern home with his talented wife, two kids, two dogs, and an old car.
Originally from Long Island, NY, Chris attended The University of North Carolina earning his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2010. Joining the firm in August 2012, he uses his unique palette of design and trade skills to understand the built environment and form creative ideas for each project he touches. Chris is registered to practice Architecture in North Carolina and is also a member of NCARB. As an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, Chris frequently finds time to get out of the city and explore the outdoors. Chris and his wife, Kelsey, live in a 1930's bungalow in Plaza Midwood's Historic District and is passionate about historic preservation. Together they enjoy exploring their tight-knit community and long summer weekends at their family's home on Lake Burton in the north Georgia Mountains. In April of 2024, Kelsey and Chris had twin boys, Anderson and Benjamin. They are so much fun and full of personality. Burton (dog) is doing well as a big brother!
Eric graduated in 1997 from Clemson University with a Bachelors degree in Design. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Architecture degree from UNC Charlotte. Originally from New Jersey, he has worked for the firm since 1999. In addition to managing various projects and his own clients, he is responsible for coordinating all the production work in the office, as well as the computer networking needs of the firm. He believes that the success of a project lies in good collaboration and communication with the project team and strives to provide that for all of his clients. Eric is a registered Architect and member of NCARB and the AIA. He and his wife, Sarah, are the parents of two children, Owen and Elizabeth. When he has time between all of his kids' extra-curricular activities, he enjoys working on his own house, a 1963 modern ranch as well as taking in as much Clemson football and auto racing as he can. Along with Sarah, he also enjoys exploring new places and watching a good movie with copious amounts of popcorn.
Christopher is originally from Burnsville, North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Joining the firm shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2002, Christopher has worked with a wide range of clients. His experience, keen eye for detail and ability to visualize a project through the course of a conversation allows him to bring innovative design. He is dedicated to providing first class service to our clients and their projects. Christopher and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy spending time with their family, seeking out live music venues as well as exploring new places both close to home and while traveling. If you are looking for them on any Sunday in the fall, you can find them cheering on the Carolina Panthers.
A native of North Carolina and a graduate of UNC Charlotte with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Architecture and subsequently a Bachelor of Architecture, she was the recipient of the university's John Alton Leach Honor Scholarship and the Architecture History Scholar Award. She is a registered architect in the state of North Carolina and has been with the firm since 1997. Piper, her husband Mark and their daughter Margaret live in Charlotte with an energetic golden retriever, Remington. There always seems to be a project at the house, but they enjoy traveling to see friends and family.
Madison received a degree in Economics and Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked in various positions in the banking industry before pursing his passion for architecture. Madison received a Masters in Architecture from North Carolina State University School of Design in 2014 and joined the firm shortly thereafter. His goal is to practice architecture that embraces the moment, acknowledges the past, and honors the client. In his free time, Madison enjoys traveling, cooking, getting his hands dirty at Clayworks Studio, feeding his passion for art and design, and spending time with his wife, Elizabeth and two kids, Emmett and Catherine.
Ashlyn hails from Chapin, South Carolina, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University in 2011. After dedicating eight years to teaching fourth and fifth grades, she decided to explore new career opportunities and began working at the firm. In her spare time, Ashlyn enjoys attending concerts, spending time with friends, and unwinding at home with her husband, Derrick, and their two dogs, Rocky and Ginger.
Keith grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in Architecture. In school he realized that his passion lies within the interiors realm of design. After graduation, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he began his career as an interior designer. He learned much of his traditional aesthetic from his time in Charleston, giving him his "Modern-Traditional" look in his designs. Keith believes that there is room for great design in all aspects of one's life and home and strives to help clients achieve their ideal vision by blending his traditional classic taste with modern trends and contemporary looks. No matter the scale of the project, Keith enjoys providing his knowledge, talent, and vivacious personality to build relationships with each client, designing spaces that are both distinctive and feel like home.
Garrett graduated from Clemson University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture. During his time at Clemson, he lived in Barcelona, Spain for a semester studying Spanish architectural history, contemporary design, urban practices, and culture. He will be completing his master’s degree in architecture from the Boston Architectural College in May 2025.
Garrett grew up in Long Island, New York and relocated to Charlotte in 2020. He is passionate about bridging the timeless beauty of traditional architecture with the sleek functionality of contemporary design. In his free time, he likes to travel, do outdoor activities and spend time with his beagle, George.
Jeremiah is originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina and attended Appalachian State for undergrad. It was there his three biggest passions started to take hold; teaching, rugby and of course architecture. At Appalachian he received a degree in Technology Education with licensure, and subsequently this brought him to the greater Charlotte area. Jeremiah taught drafting for 5 Years in Cabarrus County before completing the Master's of Architecture I Program at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Jeremiah is excited to be part of a team who's excellence in design shows in how passionately and dedicated they are to nailing the details. Outside of the office he very much enjoys all types of golf, camping, home improvement projects, and just generally having a great time with greater friends, and of course the occasional rugby match.
Keenan is originally from Mobile, Alabama and developed an early interest in architecture inspired by her 1850s childhood home in De Tonti Square Historic District. Growing up she spent weekends observing and helping her parents slowly restore a once-dilapidated boarding house into their family home filled with history and architectural beauty. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Alabama in 2015, and after working in California for several years for a large technology corporation, she decided to pursue her lifelong interest in architecture and design through UCLA Extension’s Interior Architecture program in Los Angeles. Keenan gained invaluable experience working at an interior design firm while in school and upon completing the program, she relocated to Charlotte to earn her Master of Architecture degree from UNC Charlotte in 2024. Keenan and her husband Zach live in Plaza Midwood with their black lab Franklin and enjoy working on their 1930s bungalow.
Beverly received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame. She began her career working with firms in Connecticut, Florida, and New York working in custom residential and small commercial projects. After a couple of years, Beverly went back to school and graduated with a Master of Science in Structural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Beverly wanted to return to architecture and after graduation, she joined MGPB. Beverly still enjoys watercolor painting and woodworking, both of which she developed passions for while studying. On the weekends, you can find her cheering on Notre Dame and exploring North Carolina.
Originally from Winnetka, Illinois, Olivia earned a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Art History from Providence College and a Master of Architecture from Cornell University. Inspired by the rich architecture of Chicago, her innate love of art, and her mother’s enthusiasm for antiques and interiors, Olivia developed a passion for architecture as a discipline that bridges the absolute and the imagined. Before joining MGPBA, she gained experience at architecture firms in New York City, Chicago, and Charlotte. Olivia values both the creative and collaborative aspects of design and enjoys working closely with clients to bring ideas to life that exceed their expectations. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, pottery, traveling, summer trips to Lake Chautauqua, and spending time with her husband, Justin, and their dog, Cole.