about us

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson, Principal Architect

  • Steve manages all phases of the design process and facilitates the construction process as needed.
  • Credentials:

He is licensed is the state of North Carolina to practice Architecture (per NCARB) and has an unlimited NC Commercial General Contractor’s license. Steve and the team at Southern Evergreen can literally design and build anything.

Steve is a Certified Green Professional, a designation of the National Association of Home Builders, is an ENERGY STAR partner, and is experienced with LEED.

Steve is also an Executive Project Manager for Southern Evergreen’s commercial construction partner, Evergreen Commercial Construction.

  • Technology:

Steve uses his design and drafting skills to incorporate functional and aesthetic details into each plan. He uses computer aided drafting (CAD), 3D modeling technology, hand rendered sketches, and water color rendering in his work.

  • Education:

Bachelor degree in Architecture (School of Architecture) with a minor in Photography from Kansas State University. He also spent a year in Italy studying Architecture as part of a study abroad program.

Associate Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

  • Style:

Steve is often asked what his “design style” is… and if he had to define his style, it would be “minimalism” with a respect for the vernacular, which is more a design philosophy than a style.

Style is influenced 100% by his clients desires and needs… but admits that “less” is more and structure and simplicity is always in the fore-front of his mind.

His job is to solve design and function problems,and those solutions will take on whatever “style” is required to reflect the personalities of his clients. The current portfolio is littered with Mid-Century Modern, Craftsman, Queen-Anne, Bungalow and Prairie Style, and Vernacular “Traditionalism”.

  • Affiliations:

American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is the 2012 president elect of the Piedmont Chapter.

Steve participates on several boards and subcommittees for Preservation Greensboro Incorporated (co-chair 2012/2013 and chair 2014/2015) the PGI Development Fund board, Habitat for Humanity Building Committee and Executive Committee, the Greensboro Builders Association (GBA)committee member, and the GBA Remodelers Council (2011 past president).

  • History:

He moved to the Triad in 2000 to practice commercial architecture with two of the Triad’s most prominent architecture firms, where he contributed to high-profile projects in downtown Greensboro and Winston-Salem, NC. (Chances are that you have been to or seen his work!)

In 2002, Steve founded Brown Dog Designs (inspired by his family’s chocolate lab) and teamed up with Garcia Homes to customize Southern Living Program Homes for clients throughout the country. Together with Tom Garcia, Steve helped create Southern Evergreen.

Steve, together with his wife, two kids, and dog, lives in Summerfield, NC. He is active at St. Pius Church including Parish Council, enjoys yard work and building things, as well as cycling, exercising and generally being outdoors with his family.

  • Happy Clients:

“My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Steve on the design and construction of an addition to our house. Steve is hands down the best architect we have ever worked with! He was a superlative listener who really tried to understand the design features we were looking for. Steve came up with some very creative ideas and suggested ways we could augment our design. The end result was an outstanding structure we enjoy to this day. I highly recommend Steve and would definitely consider working with him in the future” John and Aggie Schner