Roswell architect, interior designer and entrepreneur Johnna Barrett designs from the outside in.

“[My design philosophy] is very intuitive,” she said. “It’s responsive to the natural world.”

In early May, Ms. Barrett’s organic approach to both design and architecture earned her four Dream Home Awards, which are given annually to architects, interior designers, builders, contractors and remodelers for setting new standards of excellence in the nation’s building industry.

Born and raised in Jasper, Tenn., Barrett got her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and moved to Roswell in 1996.

Almost 10 years later as the founder of her own design firm, Barrett Design Inc., she started designing and building what she said she considers her favorite project so far, her home, Spring Creek, located in Roswell.

“Few architects get to design exactly what they want,” she said. “[My house] is a dream come true.”

This eight-bedroom, na-ture-inspired home, which includes a music studio, home theater, library and indoor rock garden was chosen as best interior design for a 6,001- to 7,000-square-foot home. Her house also earned silver status for best custom architecture and best new home specialty space.

Along with her home, her model condominium units at Buckhead’s Sovereign building also received recognition for best interior design for a condominium $500,001 and up.

The model units, located on the 33rd and 42nd floors of the luxury high-rise, combine “a rich sophisticated palette” with “transitional” shapes, said Ms. Barrett.

Not only does Barrett possess the ability to carry the role of both architect and interior designer, but she approaches projects with the intent to let the nature of the space shape the design rather than design define the space.

“A lot of architects stick to a particular style and that becomes their expertise,” she said. “but when you do that you’re not creating something that responds to the site or the surroundings.”

The psychology of spaces has always been fascinating she said. She has always been drawn to the question of “why you feel a certain way in certain spaces,” she said.

“I’ve found that many things go into making up that feeling,” she said.

Barrett has completed more than 480 projects across the country and abroad, from interior design for Atlanta childcare centers to high-end spas in Dubai. The Dream Home Awards are additions to other numerous local and national recognitions she has already received.

“It’s exciting when something you’ve created is recognized,” she said.

Karen Hentschel has worked on many projects for the past three years with Ms. Barrett as her office manager.

“She’s so talented and creative,” said Ms. Hentschel. “I’ve learned so much from her.”

Ms. Hentschel said the entire team was excited to learn about the Dream Home Awards.

“We were all just beaming,” she said.