Large coastal home with a wraparound porch, white columns, and a gray metal roof surrounded by greenery.
Beautiful cottage-style house with a metal roof, surrounded by lush greenery and large trees in a landscaped garden.
Kiawah Island Shingle Style home in Cassique with Western Red Cedar, a turret, copper roof, and hypen
Charleston South Carolina Architect Interior
White two-story pool house with metal roof, balcony, outdoor area, pool, and hot tub, surrounded by trees and grass with a waterfront view of the Charleston Harbor and dock in the background.
Modern dining room with wooden table and chairs surrounded by glass cabinets displaying glassware, artwork, and plants. A contemporary ceiling light hangs above the table.
Luxury home on sullivans island designed by Herlong Architects + Interiors with a elevated pool, outdoor lounge area with umbrellas, and a balcony, during sunset, with a modern architectural style and lush landscaping.
Coastal Bedroom with vaulted ceiling
Large two-story house with a white exterior, grand staircase, and prominent porch. The front yard is landscaped with grass, plants, and a stone walkway. Evening lighting highlights architectural details.
Elegant bedroom with a large bed, plush pillows, armchair, and ottoman. A modern chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Open double doors lead to a balcony with an ocean view. The room features soft, muted colors and luxurious decor.
Large, modern coastal house with multiple stories, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped greenery, featuring a wide staircase leading to the entrance and garages on each side.
McNaughton2018-142.jpg
Richardson2019_4-130.jpg
Modern kitchen with marble countertops and island, six brown chairs, pendant lights, wooden floor, gray cabinetry, and large windows.
Modern bedroom with a wooden slat accent wall, large windows with curtains, a bed with white linens, two gray chairs, pendant lights, and a nightstand with decor.
Key Largo Florida Architect and Interior Design on waterway with boat and dock

HERLONG ARCHITECTS + INTERIORS

Herlong Architects + Interiors is an award-winning luxury residential architecture and interior design firm in Charleston, South Carolina, specializing in custom coastal homes and waterfront estates throughout the Lowcountry and beyond.

For over 40 years, our firm has designed distinctive homes shaped by their setting—whether along the Charleston Harbor, barrier islands, marshfront properties, or coastal destinations throughout the Southeast and Caribbean. Each residence is thoughtfully crafted to respond to its site, capturing views, breezes, and the natural character of the coastal landscape.

Our collaborative team of residential architects and interior designers works closely with each client to create homes that are both deeply personal and architecturally enduring. From initial concept through interior design and detailing, we design residences that balance timeless architecture, coastal resilience, and refined coastal living.

With 225 years of combined experience designing custom homes, Herlong Architects + Interiors is trusted by discerning clients seeking a home that is both exceptional in design and perfectly suited to life on the coast.

LUXURY COASTAL RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTS + INTERIOR DESIGNERS IN CHARLESTON, SC

ARCHITECTURE SERVICES
INTERIORS SERVICES

Just as the specific site of your custom home is integral to the design process, so too are your home's interiors. At Herlong Architects, we believe a collaborative approach between the owner, residential architect, and interior designer is essential for achieving a seamless blend of form, function, and style. This creates a truly timeless home and makes the design and building process enjoyable. By offering residential architecture and interior design services under one roof, we provide the perfect opportunity to bring your vision to life.

OUR APPROACH

THE FIRM
PORTFOLIO

  • It is best to involve an architect before purchasing a property. Coastal sites often have flood elevation requirements, setbacks, tree regulations, and design review approvals that affect what can be built. We frequently help clients evaluate lots so they understand the opportunities and limitations before committing to a purchase.

  • Coastal homes must meet strict structural and elevation requirements, but thoughtful design allows these constraints to become opportunities. By carefully planning floor heights, foundation systems, roof forms, and outdoor spaces, we create homes that feel natural to the landscape while meeting all coastal building regulations.

  • Yes. One of the most important decisions in a custom home project is selecting the right builder and consultants. We often assist clients with builder interviews, conceptual budgeting, and early coordination so the project team is aligned from the beginning.

  • Every project is different, but most custom coastal homes require 6-12 months of design followed by 16-24 months of construction. Projects located in communities with architectural review boards or complex site conditions may require additional time for approvals.

  • Waterfront homes are designed to take advantage of their surroundings. We carefully study the orientation of the site, prevailing breezes, sun angles, and sightlines to position rooms, porches, and outdoor spaces where they will be most enjoyable throughout the year.

COASTAL RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE FAQ’S

  • Yes. Many of our clients live outside Charleston and are building second homes or vacation properties along the coast. Our process is designed to work smoothly with remote clients, with regular meetings, detailed presentations, and close coordination with builders and consultants.

  • Many coastal communities, including those in the Charleston area and surrounding islands, require approval from architectural review boards before construction can begin. We guide our clients through this process, preparing drawings and presentations that meet the requirements while maintaining the integrity of the design.

  • Designing architecture and interiors together creates a more cohesive home. When both disciplines are developed at the same time, the proportions, materials, lighting, and details work together seamlessly, resulting in a residence that feels refined and complete.

  • Yes. We have extensive experience designing homes in communities with detailed architectural standards. Understanding these guidelines early in the design process allows us to create homes that meet requirements while still feeling unique and tailored to the client.

  • Coastal homes present unique challenges that require experience and careful planning. An architect familiar with waterfront properties understands how to design for climate, regulations, and long-term durability while creating a home that feels timeless, comfortable, and appropriate to its setting.

  • "Our experience with Herlong Architects was great, they listened to a very general description of what we like and how we wanted to live and designed a home that was better than we could have ever imagined, it was like they read our minds. Everyone and every step of the process was a pleasure all the way through to the day we moved in. I recommend them highly. " W. Westmoreland

  • "You are all wonderful people at Herlong Architects, and we could not be happier with our beautiful home design and Cintra’s wonderful touch in colors, fabrics, stone, and materials. We get compliments every week on our beach cottage. You have made our lives better through your creative genius. I strongly urge anyone of selecting an architect or interior designer to speak to your firm. You made a challenging task a journey of great accomplishment. " -D.Kirby

  • "We initially became interested in Steve Herlong's work when we saw a home that he had helped design on Dewees Island, SC. 12 years ago. After looking at other projects that Herlong & Associates had created we knew that we were interested in meeting with Steve to determine if we would be interested in spending several years working with him on designing our home. From the very first moment that we met Steve and his staff we knew that our search was over. Steve Herlong is extremely talented and has many years of experience. He is deliberate and thoughtful and we knew that we had his undivided attention every time we met with him. I can't imagine meeting anyone who is easier to work with than Steve Herlong. He brought our ideas to life and he and his team created the house that we only imagined in our minds." - Frank Addington | Charleston, SC

  • "Steve and his team have developed a reputation for designing a signature style when it comes to coastal homes. This reputation for excellence and elegance, along with our own firsthand experience in seeing the finished product, is what motivated us to contact him when we began the process of building our beachfront home. From walking the site, to understanding our needs, and the "bedside manner" they had in the many frequent touchpoints along the way, Steve and his team developed and delivered an amazing design that captured the unique characteristics of our site, and the eye of many a passerby. The outcome has been nothing but a joy. Their foresight and attention to every last detail has made our new home an unforgettable experience. We couldn't be more pleased, or have found a better partner!" - Mike Carter | Sullivans Island, SC

  • "Steve and his staff designed a house that went above and beyond my wildest expectations. I am as happy with it today as I was the day we moved in. It was a great pleasure to work with Herlong and Associates." - Kaye Smith | Sullivan's Island, SC

  • "Best architectural firm in the Lowcountry!" - Kathryn Richardson | James Island, SC

  • "I am a builder who has had the pleasure of working with Herlong & Associates on several projects, including my own personal residence. I have always found their entire organization to be very professional, creative, and responsive to an owner's desires or to the builder's needs. Their interior design team beautifully complements the talents of the architectural group. Their attention to detail is impeccable. I highly recommend Herlong & Associates to anyone planning to build a new custom home or to upgrade an existing home." - Steve Kendrick | Daniel Island, SC

  • "As a builder, there is an obvious correlation between the experience in constructing a home and the level of design produced in the plans. Herlong's designs have always been logical and well conceived, in addition to incredibly attractive and architecturally appropriate. The sign of a great architectural firm is one whose designs are enjoyably challenging, are rooted in functionality and are exciting to photograph once built. This is always the case with this fine outfit" - Rob Crawford | Mount Pleasant, SC

  • "We could not be more pleased with the home that Steve and his team designed for us. And he is surely pleased, too, because our home won both local and regional architectural awards. The process was a pleasure. And 13 years later, our home retains a timeless beauty. So often we hear the boaters as they go by in the creek, "Oh! what a beautiful house!"

AWARDS

Best in American Living Award (BALA) 2019 - Historic Preservation/Restoration

AIA SC 2019 – Honor Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Carolopolis Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation 2018, Preservation Society of Charleston

Best in American Living Award (BALA) 2013 - Silver Award - Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home

AIA SC 2009 Robert Mills Residential Design Award

Aurora Award 2008

Excellence Award 2008

Best in American Living Award (BALA) 2019 - Historic Preservation/Restoration AIA SC 2019 – Honor Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation Carolopolis Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation 2018, Preservation Society of Charleston Best in American Living Award (BALA) 2013 - Silver Award - Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home AIA SC 2009 Robert Mills Residential Design Award Aurora Award 2008 Excellence Award 2008