OUR STORY
For nearly 30 years, Cole & Cole Architects has provided exceptional service and created engaging spaces and buildings that combine classic appeal with modern functionality. Our diversified practice encompasses Collegiate, Educational, Historic, Religious, and Residential architecture. This varied portfolio demonstrates our ability to respond to the unique requirements for many different building types while upholding the highest standards of design excellence.
Les Cole, principal architect at Cole & Cole, earned his Master of Architecture degree from Tulane University in 1988. His career began in Washington, DC, where he honed his classical design skills while working at an established architecture firm located near the White House and the Nation’s Capital. Upon returning to Alabama, Les partnered with his father, Robert Cole, who led a distinguished career until his retirement in 2001. He was the 1996 recipient of the Arthur Ross Award from the Institute for Classical Architecture in Manhattan.
OUR PROCESS
At Cole & Cole, our dedication to creating exceptional architecture is evident in every stage of our work, from the initial concept through project completion. Our approach is deeply collaborative, involving our clients at every stage of the process. We translate their vision into reality while balancing the budgetary requirements for each project. The firm's comprehensive services include site selection, master planning, existing building evaluation, design and construction drawings, and hands-on construction administration. Our process is always characterized by creativity, practicality, and meticulous attention to detail.
OUR COMMITMENT
Throughout the many decades of personalized service to our patrons, Cole & Cole has crafted unique buildings with enduring beauty. Our approach is grounded in the belief that great design transcends mere functionality. With thoughtful compositions and a deep understanding of our client's needs, we create inspiring yet pragmatic environments that address the complex requirements of modern life. Our commitment is always to the pursuit of enduring architecture that will stand the test of time.
CLIENT RECOMMENDATIONS
When Montgomery Public Schools purchased the Parisians department store at the old Montgomery Mall for LAMP High School, all involved knew that it would be a design challenge. MPS selected Les Cole of Cole and Cole Architects, and it didn't take long to recognize they had made the right choice. Mr. Cole, understanding the program and the difficulty of fitting the school into a two-story box that was 220’ deep, generated an excellent design with sound detailing and within a limited budget. Through successful bids, MPS secured all required program space at $125 per sf. I believe anyone driving by or entering the new LAMP school would agree that the design is a beautiful representation of what LAMP is about. I highly recommend Cole and Cole Architects for anyone's K-12 design needs.
Timothy L. Cantey TCU Consulting Services - Owner Representative
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LAMP HIGH SCHOOL
St. John's completed the most ambitious project since the construction of the historic nave building in 1855. The challenge was to double the space while complementing one of the more recognizable and beautiful buildings in Montgomery. Cole & Cole Architects embraced our project with a single-minded purpose and the results are quite remarkable. It was fun to watch the excitement that complicated set of needs stirred in them. Their design took everything into account and their work with our construction firm was diligent and capable. Due to some complications with our contractor, the construction phase was a full five years. Cole & Cole was with us all the way and worked through the various challenges. My respect and admiration for them is high.
Robert C. Wisnewski, Jr. Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church
ST. JOHNS CHURCH
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Throughout the design and construction process of our newly completed house, I found Les consistently professional, creative, diligent, and attentive to our project. I learned quickly that he was extremely approachable and easy to work with. Besides his extraordinary talents, he was respectful, inclusive, and willing to help in every possible way and I so appreciated his professionalism and patience. When visiting the construction site, I would often find him studying the ceilings, the angles, or other parts of the design because of his intense desire to have every detail right. His vision of the aesthetics, choices of materials, selection and placement of windows, design for flow throughout the house, purposeful use of space, and so much more went far beyond our expectations. I give Les my highest recommendation as an architect.
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KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA SORORITY - UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Honey Haynes President, KKG Board
After interviewing multiple companies, the Callaway Foundation selected Cole and Cole Architects to design the Visitor Center for the Hills & Dales Estate. The historic home was designed in 1916 by the noted Atlanta architect Neil Reid and it was critical to select a firm with a solid background in classical architecture. Les Cole’s solutions were aesthetically pleasing, beautifully scaled, and functional. It was clear that he paid close attention to each detail. Of particular note was his desire to make sure all building elements were properly scaled and that the building fit into its surroundings as if it had always been there. Since opening the Visitor Center in 2004, it has been favorably received by tens of thousands of guests. I have no hesitation in recommending Cole and Cole Architects.
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HILLS AND DALES VISITOR CENTER – FULLER E. CALLOWAY ESTATE
H. Speer Burdette, III President, Fuller E Callaway Foundation
Building a Chapel on campus had been a goal for Wesleyan College for decades. It had to be a very special space to replace the original Pierce Chapel and to complement the lovely buildings and grounds of the historic Georgian-style campus. After interviewing numerous firms, we selected Cole & Cole Architects. The design was beautiful, and the details and functionality were wonderful. Les Cole easily overcame the distance challenges (Montgomery to Macon) with thorough communication throughout the design and construction process. We recommend Cole & Cole for their architectural excellence, professionalism, and leadership.
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PIERCE CHAPEL WESLEYAN COLLEGE
H. Speer Burdette, III President, Fuller E Callaway Foundation
Thank you for making this project such a pleasure. From the first sketch to the ribbon-cutting, you were a true partner as we worked to build a 40,000-square-foot sorority house that would feel like home to both collegiate and alumnae members. You took our wish lists and somehow managed to give us everything we asked for in a highly functional design that paid tribute to our old house while taking it to a new level of elegance. Please know how much you have meant to Delta Zeta over these last four years. You are gifted, creative, meticulous, and delightful, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with you again. I heartily recommend you and your firm to anyone looking for the very best architectural firm.
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DELTA ZETA SORORITY – UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Virginia Gilbert Loftin Co-Chair New House Committee
It is our pleasure to recommend Les Cole of Cole and Cole Architects. We have worked with them on many projects including the Montgomery Country Club Fitness Center. The quality of their plans, their attention to detail, and their construction administration services make Cole & Cole a pleasure to work for. It is a testament to their professionalism that upon completion of the project, the Owner, Architect, and Contractor are pleased with the results.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTRY CLUB FITNESS CENTER
Ken Upchurch, III W.K. Upchurch Construction Co. - Contractor
Our search committee selected Cole & Cole after interviews with several architects, based on our knowledge of their outstanding past work for other churches, and on Les Cole's enthusiasm and vision for ours. The selection certainly proved to be the right one. Les's design was beautiful from the beginning. He was always cost-conscious and had an uncanny ability to create innovative solutions that did not sacrifice either quality or beauty. Due to his knowledge, industry contacts, and continuing efforts, we were able to obtain tremendous cost savings which allowed us to have a much finer building than we could have had otherwise, and to come in under budget. I enthusiastically recommend Les Cole and his firm and invite anyone to visit our church to see what they accomplished for us.
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CHRISTCHURCH ANGLICAN
Judge Harold Albritton Building Chairman
Kappa Alpha Theta has much to be thankful for with their beautiful new home. As the interior designer for the national sorority organization, it has been a pleasure to work with you throughout the design and construction process. The finished product certainly showcases your attention to detail, your ability to address the needs of the sorority, and your eye for quality. Thank you for the beautiful building you have created. I will always look back on the project as my favorite. You are the #1 architect I have worked with.......and there have been so many of them. From conception to completion, a job very well done Les!
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KAPPA ALPHA THETA SORORITY– UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Karen Ledbetter - Interior Designer for KAT National
It is my great pleasure to recommend Cole and Cole Architects. I can say confidently that working with Les Cole and his firm was a delight in every way. The entire project was characterized by hard work, patience, attention to detail, cooperation, and overall excellence, and the finished product was beyond all of our expectations. As Winston Churchill once said, "We shape our buildings, and then our buildings shape us." Les Cole and his firm understand this. In my experience, it is rare to find an architectural firm that understands the unique challenges and goals of a Church and can translate those needs. Cole and Cole is such a firm.
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TRINITY CHURCH
Rev. Patrick W. Curles Executive Minister
I wanted to let you know that we were able to travel to Maine last weekend after living abroad for the last 9 months. We simply love our new home. Having not seen it since last summer, we were filled with fresh appreciation for all the things that make it so extraordinary and so uniquely suited to our family and the setting. It is just such an incredible design. Looking out over a sparkling ocean this morning was almost too beautiful to take in. I have to tell you that this is my favorite home I have ever been in. I love every detail, every room. So, I wanted to reach out to say thank you!
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OCEAN FRONT ESTATE - ST. GEORGE MAINE
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We have been in our new home for almost a year, and I wanted to tell you how much we are enjoying it and what a pleasure it was working with you. Everyone who has been through it is overwhelmed with the design and the materials that were used, especially in the great room and dining room. A friend who lives in Lake Forest Illinois near Chicago, which has many incredible historic estates on Lake Michigan, said it is the most spectacular house that she has ever been in. The first thing everyone asks is who is the architect that designed it? Once again, thank you so much for our magnificent home!
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ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE – TROUP COUNTY, GA