two men standing in front of a building with columns
Gray Houghland, at graduation from The University of Virginia, with father and fellow UVA alum, Wright Houghland.

Who we are

An Architect with Deep Roots

A third generation architect with a focus on the details and an ability to find solutions others cannot.

Gray Houghland, RA, LEED AP, NCARB

Gray Houghland is the founder of Houghland Architecture. Since 1997, he has provided the Charlotte, NC area with thought-leading residential design.


With over 25 years’ experience in residential design, Gray listens to your ideas for your home and guides you to pragmatic solutions.

gray houghland picture

Deep Roots, Deeper Experience & Expertise

lines details
a black and white drawing of a city with tall buildings
Rendering by Carlton Abbott, Gray's uncle and fellow University of Virginia School of Architecture graduate.

Continuing a Family Tradition of Architectural Design

For three generations, the Houghland family has designed and delivered high-quality architecture. His father and uncle both had their own firms, and his grandfather, Stanley Abbott, was the chief landscape architect for the Blue Ridge Parkway. They all set high standards of design, and Gray is proud to continue the family tradition.

Continuing a Family Tradition of Archtectural Design

For three generations, the Houghland family has designed and delivered high-quality architecture. His father and uncle both had their own firms, and his grandfather was the landscape architect for the Blue Ridge Parkway. They all set high standards of design, and Gray is proud to continue the family tradition.

Let’s Start Your Project

Apply for a consultation call today.

Let’s Start Your Project

Apply for a consultation call today.

Listening is our superpower

Gray hears your concerns and must-haves, then guides you to levelheaded design solutions. 


Home design should be an exciting process, and Gray works to ensure you enjoy your design experience and feel confident in your choices.

a diagram showing a floor plan and view directions
a man is standing in a room with a scaffolding in the background .
Gray Houghland building an addition to his own home in 2017.

Before founding Houghland Architecture, Gray Houghland worked with several award-winning architectural firms, including Skidmore Owings & Merrill, a preeminent international architecture firm, as well as with leading firms in Charlotte, NC.


Throughout his career, Gray has designed hundreds of homes, collaborating with national and local home builders and development companies.


Gray holds a Master in Architecture degree from Harvard University's Graduate School of Design as well as a BS in Architecture from the University of Virginia. His hometown, which was very influential to his architectural career, was Williamsburg.


Gray is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He's also a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional).

Kind words from happy clients

Client Testimonials

Working with Gray Houghland has been a fantastic experience. We work with architects and designers all over the greater Charlotte area on projects of all sizes. Some jobs are more technically challenging than others, and details are key. Gray's plans are highly detailed and take away a lot of questions that often have to be answered in the field, which makes for a more stress-free and timely job completion. Gray is great with customers—he is polite, humble, has a great personality and presents logical solutions for solving design problems. I will look forward to working with Gray for years to come.

Chris Maynard, Andrew Roby General Contractor