Affordable quality architecture has always been at the heart of my work as an architect. I am often asked about my design philosophy and what drives me to do the work that I do. When I first started my career building low-cost housing with Habitat for Humanity in Africa, it made me realize that I wanted to spend my professional career providing architecture to people who don’t normally hire architects. I wanted to design houses with character and charm—homes my own family would be proud to live in.
In a lot of suburbs today, there are blocks of cookie-cutter design and blandly uniform houses. This is largely due to the fact that 98% of single-family houses in America are no longer designed by architects.
The rise of architecture that is drawn to accommodate mass marketing and ease of production also means that the quality of design has suffered as a result. Part of the lasting charm of historic cities like Beaufort, Savannah and Charleston comes from the character and design found in older neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the remaining 2% of modern architecture actually designed by architects often prioritizes bold and lofty designs that are out of place on a normal lot or neighborhood where most people live. In the past, it was more common for houses to be designed locally for local needs and tailored to fit within the local aesthetic which resulted in great neighborhoods that are still loved today.
At Allison Ramsey, our design philosophy puts people first. We focus on the needs of the community and place a greater emphasis on working with our clients directly to create functional, livable, and beautiful homes.
Providing people with access to affordable, quality architecture is one reason we offer house plan books. We now have a collection of more than 3,000 floor plans on our website for our clients to choose from and tailor to their unique needs.
Much like the old SEARS house catalogue or the Southern Living collection that still exists today (and features numerous Allison Ramsey plans), our house plans are created by architects and designers and are available for anyone to buy at an affordable rate.
For us, this is also about more than individual homes—it’s about building better neighborhoods, stronger communities, and a lasting sense of place. We believe that good design should not be a luxury reserved for the few, but a foundation for how people live, gather, and thrive together. When homes are thoughtfully designed and well-placed within the fabric of a community, they contribute to walkability, safety, and beauty. They become part of a shared story.
This is why our house plans span such a wide range of styles, sizes, and footprints—because every client’s situation is different, but every homeowner deserves intentional design. Whether it’s a compact cottage for a narrow lot or a more expansive plan for multigenerational living, our goal is always to offer choices that reflect architectural integrity and livability.
We’ve also invested in tools that make the process even more accessible. Many of our plans come with 3D modeling options so you can visualize the home from every angle before it’s built. These tools remove uncertainty and help our clients feel confident about the path ahead.
In the end, our work is about creating places that feel right—not just today, but for decades to come. And by focusing on affordable quality architecture, we hope to make good design a possibility for more people, more families, and more communities.
Sincerely,
Bill Allison
#southern living #coastal living #porchlife #dreamhome #houseplans #allisonramsey #architecture #open floor plan #open design #good design #inspiration #homedesign
