About | HELT Design

ABOUT

HELT clients seek a design partner to help them express their voices, realize their visions, embrace their unique ideas, and explore innovative solutions. They see HELT as the key to unearthing successful designs for re-purposing, reusing, and integrating modern solutions that create highly impactful and functional yet minimal designs while reinforcing their stated vision or brand.

OUR FIRM

HELT Design is a full-service, architecture and interior design firm with core capabilities throughout commercial, industrial, retail, restaurant, adaptive reuse, multi-family, and modern minimalist residential design.

Founded in 1969, the firm has a long track record of sustained success serving clients nationwide with LEED accredited professionals and licensure in 46 states.

Functional and modern architecture is our collective passion and is grounded in expert design, creative solutions, and versatile expertise. We represent clients across a wide variety of industries, projects, and scale.

We proudly showcase our diverse ability and talent to offer exceptional architecture as well as interior design, programming, master planning, space planning, feasibility studies and code compliance.

OUR TEAM

Our team is the greater sum of many individual personalities, talents, and perspectives. We collectively thrive on the challenges of big ideas and specific details alike. At HELT Design, transforming your vision into a tangible, usable space is paramount.

TIM JOHNSTON

Tim Johnston

Principal, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

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Tim Johnston lives and breathes design. If he is not actively designing at his desk or on weekends, he imagines new ideas for development or design. Architecture has been his passion for 25 years, during which time he worked at multiple firms around the country before realizing his long-held dream of firm ownership when he joined HELT Design as President and Principal in 2012. Tim has a broad range of modern architectural experiences, from custom residential projects to large-scale commercial high rises and broad-sweeping sustainable master planning. He has served various market sectors and prides himself on modern design, personalized client service, and inspiring solutions. Tim studied at the University of Kentucky and is LEED-certified. He participates in and has led the Architects Collaborative of Charlotte and is very community-involved with growing his hometown of Belmont.

Diana Myers

Associate Principal

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Since joining the firm in August 1999, Diana Myers has helped foster several longstanding relationships with repeat clients. “The strength of the firm has a proportional relationship with the quality of service each individual client and specific project needs.” As an Associate Principal, she is involved with all aspects of the firm, helping to ensure that things run smoothly. Primary job functions include code compliance, schedule maintenance, organizing projects and staff, and maintaining strong client relationships. “Thinking “outside the box” is key in the architecture field, especially when your challenge is to space plan for the best use of square footage and to make the building work for the client, all while adhering to all code requirements. Each Project has its constraints in planning; even prototypical projects have an individual life force.” Outside of the office, Diana Myers enjoys the arts of all kinds. From home renovation projects to painting and pottery, she dives head-first into it all. In her “me time,” you will find her applying her own creative ideas to repurpose or reinvent something existing or create something new entirely from scratch.

Raleigh Cline

Associate Principal, AIA, LEED AP

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Raleigh Cline, born and raised in Northeast Ohio and with a background in architecture and construction, has always embraced the power of design to enrich personal and professional endeavors. After studying architecture at Miami University in Ohio, he gained experience working for various firms in Cleveland before relocating to Charlotte, NC in 1999. Over the past 20 years, Raleigh has navigated the explosive growth in the Southeast region, collaborating on high-profile projects and leading complex engagements with multiple stakeholders and financial interests. His expertise lies in partnering with clients to achieve successful project outcomes by combining design aesthetics with financial goal-setting. Beyond his professional life, Raleigh enjoys a laid-back lifestyle in Belmont, NC with his wife, indulging his passion for boating on Lake Wylie and motorcycle riding, including cross-country trips and vacations with his family.

Don Ferry

Senior Associate

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Don Ferry came to HELT Design from Massachusetts with over 27 years of experience as a Project Architect and Project Manager. He always brings innovative design solutions to the table. He can marry thoughtful designs with code compliance and real-world buildable solutions that contractors appreciate in the field. Don is well-versed in construction management for new construction, additions, and adaptive reuse projects. Project expertise includes multifamily housing, senior housing, hotels, hospitals and medical centers, retail stores, office buildings, restaurants, schools (private, public K-12, and higher education), and over 200 single-family projects. Don Ferry is a graduate of Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI.

James Zink

Associate

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James Zink has been with HELT Design since 2014 and serves as an Associate. His wide-ranging background in handling projects of all sizes from inception through completion makes him a tremendous value addition to every project. He has extensive experience with permitting, construction documents, and computer drafting technologies. Outside of the office, James coaches youth basketball and baseball programs and spends time with his family.

Ben Woods

Senior Project Manager

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Every day, Ben Woods witnesses how architecture and design impact his life. Even though most do not perceive it or are unaware, it does occur. After all, buildings and spaces are made for people to inhabit, so why not provide an efficient building or space based on the audience that intends to utilize it? Ben Woods embraces every opportunity to provide solutions that transcend expectations and clients’ goals on projects. Becoming involved in the intricate process of design, construction, and collaboration with owners, builders, and other designers is of the utmost satisfaction, in my opinion, says Ben. Proper understanding and execution of the end goal is my primary focus and reassurance I’m providing a quality product from start to finish on any project.

Selvyn Grandison

Project Manager

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Selvyn Grandison believes Architecture is an intricate set of designs that lies at the intersection of art and science and tries to unify its surroundings. Selvyn is most excited when he is able to collaborate with others to bring a design to fruition and to know he has pleased the client. Selvyn is committed to doing what it takes (creating, exploring, listening, asking, etc.) to get the project completed in a timely manner. “The more I am challenged, the more passionate I become, and for that, I probably wouldn’t want to do anything else. My role is to not only be a team player but also make sure the client’s needs are met. Collaboration and working closely with the team is the best and most efficient way to get the best quality product for the client.”

Valeria Ramon

Project Manager

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Valeria Ramon was born and raised in Ecuador but has lived in three different countries – this has taught her that there is always something new to learn. Her diverse background brings a different way of thinking about solutions to design problems. She believes 3D modeling transforms two-dimensional ideas to life, allowing designers and clients to clearly understand the conditions of a project before they are in the field and under construction. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Architecture from Ecuador and a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism project management from Spain and Mexico. When she moved to the United States, she got an Associate of Applied Science in Architectural Technology to understand how architecture is conceived, produced, and built. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and visit new places to eat.

Hasheem Halim

Project Coordinator

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Hasheem Halim’s interest in the architectural industry was initially sparked by drawing football stadiums as a child. Following this passion, he earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2015 from Virginia Tech, where he still holds the school’s Triple Jump record in Track & Field. As a Project Coordinator with HELT Design, Hasheem brings a keen perspective and a high level of attention to detail in his work and for our clients. Intuitive designs that can be both objectively and subjectively appreciated are what drives Hasheem on a daily basis. He has successfully secured a grant from the City of Charlotte to develop recycled plastic bus stop benches. When he is not in the office, Hasheem enjoys biking throughout Charlotte and has proposed master planning ideas to increase efficiencies within the Charlotte area to reduce automobile dependency in our region.

John Lee

Project Coordinator

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John Lee is passionate about helping to craft the client’s dream vision of architecture that inspires. With years of 3D design and construction drawing experience, John enjoys finding unique and collaborative ways to solve design problems to the client’s complete satisfaction. John believes in the iterative process of continually improving a project through thoughtful consideration of all elements of the design process. Being humbled to be part of a talented group of experienced professionals inspires John to offer his best daily to get projects done. Each completed project inspires him to learn and improve processes that are meant to be mutually beneficial to all the stakeholders in a project. He says, “To see a project give the client a happy feeling is what I aim to achieve each day I’m in the office.”

SHARON JOHNSTON

Sharon Johnston

Operations Manager

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Sharon Johnston believes that change fosters growth, and she is always looking for opportunities to enhance and improve all that we do. Originally from South Africa, she generally brings a different perspective to problem-solving and solutions that are outside the box (which Architects happen to like!). In addition to providing general support for administrative and billing functions, she is also responsible for market research, marketing, and process improvement initiatives. Sharon has a degree in Communication Science and over twenty years of experience in continuous improvement initiatives and organizational change in various industries and her own businesses.

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OUR APPROACH

Our ultimate goal is to bring each client’s vision to life. We listen, ask questions, and truly understand our client’s ideas to provide keen insights and clear objectives within each project.

We understand the building process can be difficult to navigate. That’s where we excel. Whether it’s residential, retail concept, multi-use large scale development or adaption of an existing bulding, we help guide and support our clients through the journey to create optimal solutions, outcomes and experiences.

OUR CAPABILITIES

With licensure in 46 states our national reach enables consistent service and expertise throughout the US. This is an essential benefit for developers, retailers, franchisors, and organizations with presence across multiple state lines.

In each state we can provide additional services to custom fit your needs:

Code Requirement Expertise
Project Management
Prototype Plan Development & Execution
Field Verification Services
Permit Research & Tracking
Zoning Design Criteria Research
Construction Administration
Sustainable Design
3D Design Modeling
3D Printing

OUR SERVICES

Modern Architecture Service

Architecture is the creation of space through a fusion of art and science that results in the built environment. It is given shape by form, influenced by context, and experienced by all the senses. Architecture varies in scale, from the detail of a light fixture to a large campus master plan, and everything in between.

Interior Design

Interior design aims to enrich the quality of people’s physical and emotional environment. Successful interior design meets regulatory codes, jurisdictional requirements, ADA guidelines, encourages principles of environmental sustainability, and equally creates appealing, functional, and inspiring interior space.

Programming

We start by deeply understanding how you operate. In doing so, your programming processes dictate our design influences. We research, catalog and inventory details to determine efficient flow for everyday functions within. We discern important adjacencies and necessary space for the present and the future. All findings and assessments are compiled into a program document to influence the design.

Master Planning

Often overlooked or missed by short-term decisions, a long-term strategy for planned growth is necessary for businesses or communities to prevent costly infrastructure modifications in the future. We develop a comprehensive understanding of short-term and long-term goals to critically develop a successful and evolutionary timeless Master Plan.

Space Planning

Space planning focuses on the interior layout and flow of a space. We optimize usable square footage while creating an environment that enhances and increases a company’s workflow and operation. We work with our clients and determine how best to utilize their space as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Feasibility Study

The feasibility study is a pre-design analysis tool. It helps pinpoint the goals of the project or brings to light budget, site, or programming constraints. The study establishes a beginning point from which to make the project come to life in the most successful way.

Code Compliance

Regardless of location, there are rules, regulations, and requirements placed upon the built environment. We ensure your project successfully meets all code requirements that apply based on your project’s locale. Given our broad experience across the country we are well versed in navigating the plan review process and getting projects approved in a timely fashion.

HELT Design
6405 W. Wilkinson Blvd #100
Belmont, NC 28012
704-342-1686
Info@HELTdesign.com

Modern Architecture and Interior Design Services
Licensed in 46 States
HELT Design is a full-service, architecture and interior design firm with core capabilities throughout commercial, industrial, retail, restaurant, adaptive reuse, multi-family, and modern minimalist residential design.

Founded in 1969, the firm has displayed a long track record of sustained success serving clients nationwide with LEED accredited professionals and licensure in 46 states.

Design + Development by Visual Caffeine