Savvy planning. Successful designs. Inspired people.
A boutique architecture and interiors firm in Buckhead Village. Since 1998 we have designed film studios and soundstages, mission-critical data centers, corporate interiors and public projects — with hands-on owner involvement in every step.
Tyler Perry Studios at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA — as titled in GSB's own project library.
- Tyler Perry Studios
- Netflix
- Allen Media Group
- AT&T
- Verizon
- Sprint
- PNC Bank
- Grandave Studios
- Hartsfield–Jackson
- Georgia Tech
- Fulton County
- DeKalb County Schools
Listed by GSB as clients — not an endorsement or a claim of partnership. GSB also states it continues work with Tyler Perry and “numerous other confidential studios across the US and Puerto Rico.”
Four sectors. Two of them almost nobody else does.
In GSB's own framing: “With a primary focus in the technology space, GSB is most active with film production development and mission critical facilities… We thrive on the diversity of our work.”
Stages, backlots, mills and practical sets.
“Since 2007, we have gained expertise with film studios, sound stages, backlots, and a multitude of other media-related projects.” GSB worked with Tyler Perry Studios on his first screening and theater project on Krog Street in 2007, then on Greenbriar Studios, and now the 330-acre TPS Studios at Fort McPherson.
“Proper master planning is the key to a successful studio.”
square feet — the range of data center projects he describes completing. In his words: “In the data center realm, I have successfully completed over 1,000 projects, varying in size from 600 to 500,000 square feet.”
GSB's own claim, from William Barker's biography.
Mission critical, with the tolerances that implies.
“For over three decades GSB leadership has mastered designing complex mission critical facilities.” The work runs to kit-of-parts and prototype designs, built around redundancy, scalability, security and privacy — for clients GSB lists including AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.
Space planning that stays efficient as the team changes.
User-centric, collaborative environments. From GSB's own projects page: “Founder, Maria Guerra-Stoll specializes in space planning that results in efficient and adaptable working environments.”
K–12 and higher ed, on schedule and within budget.
Compliance, safety, budget, durability and low maintenance. GSB's own words: “To ensure diversity in our work…”. Their published public-sector client list includes Fulton County, DeKalb County Schools, Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, College of Coastal Georgia and the University of North Georgia.
“Certified small business and woman-owned minority firm” is GSB's own wording, stated on their firm page. No certifying body or certificate number is published, and none is claimed here.
Preserving heritage through revitalization.
Economic benefit, less environmental impact. Generals Row historic renovation — as titled in GSB's own project library.
Twenty-eight years. Two founders. Still the same two founders.
Maria Guerra-Stoll and William Barker met at an Atlanta architecture firm specializing in telecom and healthcare, and launched GSB on 5 May 1998 — serving the telecommunications industry for major technology brands across the US, “from Alaska to Puerto Rico.”
They grew to more than 30 architects within the first year. Then, after the dot-com bubble in 2000, they deliberately shrank back to boutique size — “ensuring our direct involvement in every project.” Today GSB runs on a core team of around 10 employees, “with the ability to scale up as needed.”
The smallness is a choice, not a ceiling. It is why both founders are still personally on the work — and it is the reason they can say, plainly, that clients get “hands-on owner involvement in every step.”
“In 2007, a pivotal moment arrived when we collaborated with Tyler Perry Studios (TPS), developing a screening and theater space at his first studio on Krog Street. We continued our relationship with TPS by transforming an abandoned Eastern Airlines site into the Greenbriar Studios. This project was significant as we designed the first purpose-built soundstages in Georgia.”
Maria Guerra-Stoll
“I am a native of Caracas, Venezuela, with a family of entrepreneurs. This upbringing influenced me to start my own firm.”
She began in data center design, partnering with AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. Then: “my true passion emerged when we managed the design for Tyler Perry's inaugural studio in Atlanta” — work that continues today, “most recently designing his 330-acre campus at Fort McPherson.” She calls it “a defining moment in my career.”
In 2021 she launched a second venture — Playa Azul Media / PAM Studios in Rome, Georgia, a multi-platform production company. Her stated mission for it: “we empower women and minority groups, providing them with opportunities to share their stories and thrive in the film and television industry.” She describes PAM Studios as “Georgia's first Latina-owned studio.”
Recognition + community leadership
- Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — Small Business of the Year
- National Society of Hispanic MBAs — Professional of the Year
- Hispanic Magazine — Top Hispanic Entrepreneur
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council — Trailblazer Award (an award to Maria, not a firm certification)
- Featured in Georgia Trend, Atlanta Woman Magazine and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; interviewed on NBC and 11-Alive Atlanta News
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — Board Chair · Georgia Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council · Georgia Hispanic Construction Association · Latin American Chamber of Commerce · Leadership Atlanta graduate
William Barker
Four decades of experience in architectural design, specializing in mission critical facilities and film and sound studios — program assessment, site planning, budgeting, scheduling, kit-of-part projects and prototype designs.
He describes completing “over 1,000 projects” in the data center realm, “varying in size from 600 to 500,000 square feet,” for clients including AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. After the first Tyler Perry studio he “embarked on designing a dozen master plans for future film and television production studios.”
His own line captures the whole range of the firm in one breath: “Whether it's the technological backbone of a data center or the creative haven of a film studio…”
On his own bio: “my clients receive hands-on involvement directly from me throughout the entire project.”
“I like to mix art with architecture and include a feeling of surprise as you walk through the spaces I design. You feel like you are in a different space as you look at various forms of art and experience it all from different angles. It's fun and people love it!”Maria Guerra-Stoll · Co-Founder + CEO
No.18 Buckhead — the building GSB moved its own office into.
Six services. Engaged early, and still there at handover.
Site Planning + Pre-Development
Engaging early improves functionality, cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance — and makes construction smoother.
Architectural Design
Collaboration across disciplines through schematic and design development, for more efficient, cost-effective delivery.
Interior Design
Functional, aesthetically pleasing, efficient spaces tailored to your needs and your brand identity.
Adaptive Reuse + Historic Rehabilitation
Preserving heritage through revitalization — economic benefit, and less environmental impact.
Construction
Staying engaged through construction preserves design intent and addresses surprises fast.
Sustainability
Green design leads every project, regardless of size or use.
Site planning
Density studies, master planning and charette consultations, before the expensive decisions get made.
Design
Architecture and interiors developed together, across disciplines, through SD and DD.
Construction
Staying engaged on site so design intent survives contact with the build.
Sustainability
Green building code and certifications, energy and daylighting, biophilic design — on every size of project.
What clients actually say.
“A truly professional organization that has your best interest in mind. GSB is a firm that takes a proactive approach to serving its clients.”
AT&T
“GSB went above and beyond to exceed our expectations! It is clear how they have cultivated an impeccable reputation as a firm that delivers quality and excellence for each project they undertake.”
Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council
“GSB has designed several jobs for us over the last five years including a public safety building, additional classrooms in our theater building, and restroom renovations. Thank you for being a quality firm with great people while performing on schedule and within budget.”
Gainesville State College
“Hyper intelligent firm with a creative and forward-thinking mindset. Pleasure to work with!”
Google review
The first three are published on GSB's own services page, attributed by title and organisation only — no personal names are published, and none have been invented here.
5.0 from 8 Google reviews
A real rating on a small number of reviews — the visible ones are several years old. Praise themes across them: professional, easy to work with, proactive, creative and forward-thinking, on schedule and within budget.
No.18 Buckhead, in the Village District.
The double-height lobby with the art wall, the chandeliers and the fountain — that is the building GSB works in.
3372 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
| Monday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
- (404) 233-6450
- info@gsbarchitects.com
- Maria.gs@gsbarchitects.com — Co-Founder + CEO
- william@gsbarchitects.com — Co-Founder + Principal
Bring us in early. That is when we are worth the most.
Whether it's the technological backbone of a data center or the creative haven of a film studio — a conversation with a founder is the first step. There is no form to fight with.