Some careers begin with a spark; Noah Stogner’s began with a state title. In high school, long before he stepped into urban design studios or civic master planning meetings, he was already competing—representing Georgia in the SkillsUSA architectural drafting nationals and placing seventh in the country. That early momentum never slowed.
Designing His Future—And Winning It
At Kennesaw State University from 2018–2023, Noah didn’t just study design—he excelled at it. He won the prestigious Sizemore Group Urban Studio Competition, outperforming four studios and ultimately securing the position that launched his professional career. May 2022, Noah’s team won a high-profile Buckhead design competition by doing what no one else dared: proposing a new city hall for a neighborhood exploring secession from Atlanta. That creative risk—and his willingness to tackle politically complex challenges—was what set their work apart.
A Nationally Recognized Urban Designer
In 2024, while pursuing his master of science in urban design at Georgia Tech, Noah led the school’s multidisciplinary team in the ULI Hines National Competition—one of the most respected competitions in the field. Their Seattle project, inspired by mass timber innovation, earned Georgia Tech its first win in 25 years and a $50,000 national award, with judges noting their “real-world approach, great finances, and a theme that represented Seattle at its core.” The recognition placed him squarely on the radar of design leaders across the country.
A Dual-Lens Professional: Architecture + Planning
Since joining the firm in June 2022, Noah has balanced roles as both a project designer and a planner. His portfolio is robust, civic-focused, and impact-driven:
- Transylvania County Courthouse (NC) – As head project designer for the 60,000 sq. ft. courthouse in the “Land of Waterfalls,” he centered his work around a motif rooted in nature and transparency—symbolizing the justice system’s relationship with its community.
- Brookhaven City Hall – Supporting this signature, extraordinary community gathering and civic identity project.
- Fulton County Space Programming – Blending planning insight with architectural problem-solving.
- Floyd County Law Enforcement Center – Designing complex adjacencies for safety, operations, and dignity within the justice system.
- 2025 Fairburn LCI Plan: Evolving a drive-by town into a walkable community. connecting major nodes within the community.
He thrives on civic work—projects with weight, complexity, and public responsibility—where budgets are ample, expectations are high, and the outcomes directly shape how communities function.
A Leader on the Rise
He is currently pursuing architectural licensure and expects to be a registered architect—and full AIA member—by February.
What truly differentiates him, though, is not just credentials or awards—it’s how he works.
Growing up in team sports shaped his understanding of leadership. He knows how to take charge when needed and how to support when others lead. Whether it’s handling the “grunt work” or stepping into strategic direction, he reads the field and fills the role the team needs most.
He’s carried that mindset beyond the office. Coaching little league baseball and softball through high school and college—and even coaching football—helped him refine patience, communication, and the ability to bring out the best in people. These skills translate seamlessly into design leadership, where listening, guiding, and motivating are as essential as drafting or diagramming.
That sense of service is what led him deeper into planning and urban design. He sees communities like teams—groups people care about, invest in, and feel ownership of. His role is to help them find common ground, ensure their voices are heard, and translate those insights into environments that reflect who they are.
From national competitions to county courthouses, from mass-timber speculation in Seattle to waterfall-inspired justice architecture in North Carolina, his work is shaped by humility, curiosity, and a commitment to community.