Steven P. Barton
AIA, LEED AP – Managing Partner

“Architecture is the reaching out for the truth.”
-Louis Kahn

Steve began his career as a single family residential architect at a Charlotte firm, designing several noted homes around the city. Although, he quickly related to the universal need for housing, he knew there were better ways to expand the impact he could have.

Upon joining David Furman Architecture, he focused on multi-family housing and saw how much more effectively he could help provide expanded housing in smaller spaces, ultimately benefitting more people. He was strongly involved in the design, production, and project management of a wide range of mixed-use and multi-family projects.

Steve is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, United States Green Building Council and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Plan Review Task Force. He serves on The Light Factory’s Auction Committee and as a weekly lunch buddy for A Child’s Place.

Steve graduated from Auburn University’s School of Architecture with a Bachelor’s of Architecture degree. He enjoys the challenge of solving complex problems that result in the creation of spaces that are both inspirational and useful. He believes that architecture can improve people’s daily lives and designing housing allows him to do this on a very personal scale.

Colleen D. Garrett
AIA, LEED AP – Managing Partner

“Architecture, of all the arts, is the one which acts the most slowly, but the most surely, on the soul.” -Ernest Dimnet

Colleen’s career has involved her in the design, production, and project management of a wide range of mixed-use and multi-family projects. Her work has varied from 3-story wood frame apartments to mid-rise condominiums through Axiom and previously at David Furman Architecture. Early in her career, she gained experience in retail store planning at another Charlotte architectural firm.

Colleen is a strong advocate for creating multi-family housing that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Her attention to detail drives her and the work of the firm. At the base of her work is an abiding curiosity to understand how people want to live and what will ensure their quality of life.

Colleen earned her Bachelor’s of Architecture degree from Auburn University’s School of Architecture. Her fourth year studies took her to Boston’s BAC (Boston Architectural College). It was there she developed a fascination with multi-family housing. The previous year, she was accepted into the study abroad program and traveled throughout Europe. One of her favorite places for architectural inspiration was the Brion-Vega Cemetery in San Vito d’Altivole by Carlo Scarpa.

Colleen is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, and the United States Green Building Council. She volunteers as a weekly lunch buddy for A Child’s Place.

Matthew G. Majors
AIA, LEED AP – Managing Partner

“Good architecture is like a piece of beautifully composed music crystallized in space that elevates our spirits beyond the limitation of time.” -Tao Ho

Matt arrived in Charlotte nearly twenty years ago and has enjoyed not only watching the skyline grow, but helping to make it happen. He has designed, produced and overseen a wide range of multi-family and mixed-use projects. Throughout his career at Axiom and previously at David Furman Architecture, he has been engaged in all facets of design, construction documents and project management.

Early on, Matt chose to specialize in multi-family housing while working at another large multi-disciplinary firm in Charlotte. His passion for creating multi-family housing has carried over into both student and senior housing.

He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architectural Registration Board and the United States Green Building Council.

He earned his Bachelor’s of Architecture degree from Auburn University’s School of Architecture. He finds solace and inspiration in well-designed spaces, and combines his love of architecture with his love of music. His belief is that architecture and music share a kindred spirit, and in the perfect setting or moment, one can always inspire the other.