His Lego dream of building houses comes true

As far back as Matt Fontaine Lyons remembers, he was drawing plans for houses.

"My mom bought me a box of Legos when I was a kid and I used to love putting together houses," Lyons said. "Back then the newspaper used to run a floor plan each week, and I'd draw up my own and go to work with my Legos."

The 42-year-old Portsmouth native and 1983 graduate of I.C. Norcom High School was a member of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) and placed first in the region and state drafting competition his senior year.

That paved the way to pursue a degree in mechanical design, which he earned from Norfolk State University in 1987. He worked as a mechanical engineer for several years before launching Lyons Design Concepts Inc. in 1995. After juggling two jobs, Lyons fulfilled his dream and went full time with his business three years ago.

He runs the home-based firm from his Deep Creek residence, one he designed five years ago.

"I love designing custom homes and additions; that's where my heart is," said Lyons, who also designs small businesses and churches. He is currently working on an 18-unit Norfolk apartment complex.

Lyons created the plans for Rob and Michelle Poyner's 4,000 square-foot home they built on the outskirts of Roanoke two years ago.

" He took our dreams and made them come true," Roy Poyner said. "It's our own slice of heaven."

Whether clients in Hampton Roads or northeastern North Carolina are looking for traditional, classical, waterfront, cottages, or luxury estates, Lyons can design it.

"Each design is made to order by listening to my clients," Lyons said. "I take their problems and solve them on paper and convey their thoughts onto construction documents so they can build their home."

Lyons, a certified professional building designer, is a member of several organizations: the American Institute of Building Design, the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, Tidewater Builder's Association and an affiliate member of the National Associations of Home Builders.

Several of Lyons' designs have been showcased at Homerama, including The Holly House in 2003, winner of the People's Choice Award, and The Castle House in 2007, which took third in the Best Curb Appeal category.

"Matt really puts a personal interest into something and goes that extra mile," said Watab Construction Corp.'s Bill Brice, builder of the Castle House. "The Homearama house was what I wanted and then some. He's got the talent to do it all."

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net