When we talk about the greatest city in the world, people often debate about London, Paris & New York. In the course of this altercation the same people also agree that if there is one place on earth that can give them a run of their money, it’s the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles.
Located in southern California between Hills and beaches, home to some of the most famous people in the world, sit a collection of brilliant Architects and designers who are shaping this city of dreams.
Here we run through the best architecture firms in Los Angeles – discussing their work, ideologies, and specialties.
The 14 top Architecture Firms in Los Angeles
Morphosis Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 3440 Wesley St, Culver City, CA 90232, USA
- Website – www.morphosis.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 60
- Established in – 1972
Ethos
Founded by Thomas Mayne a huge name in the field of architecture who also founded the south California Institute of Architects. The Name of the firm originates from Greek which means to form or to be information that accurately describes the philosophy of the group.
Specialty
Their projects have a wide range from Institutional and civic buildings to large urban planning projects. Morphosis is responsible for some of the most iconic buildings in LA with its dynamic and evolving practice in social, cultural, technological aspects of life.
AC Martins
Studio overview
- Location – 444 S Flower St, Ste 1470, Los Angeles, California, 90071, United States
- Website – www.acmartin.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 197
- Established in – 1906
Ethos
The firm has experience of 100+ years in design and construction, founded by Albert C. Martin Sr. in LA. The company over the course of a century has given many landmarks to the city which became an integral part of the community.
The philosophy has always been the same; to produce experience through evolving and ever-changing architecture. The Los Angeles City Hall and Wilshire Grand Center are some prominent structures designed by the firm.
Specialty
Being one of the founding fathers in Shaping the modern city of LA the firm is operated by the third generation of the family. The firm works on architecture, planning, and research.
Marmol Radziner
Studio overview
- Location – 12210 Nebraska Ave, Los Angeles, California, 90025, United States
- Website – www.marmol-radziner.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 200
- Established in – 1989
Ethos
When Ron Radziner founded the firm along with partner Leo Marmol the focus was to develop a reputation for innovative designs and high technology construction standards. Their approach towards design is following the master-builder tradition thus their teams constitute various disciplines including architects, engineers, and craftsmen.
Specialty
Due to its multidisciplinary nature, their approach to design is unique as they not only design architectural aspects but also furniture and jewelry design. The firm is also known for launching a pre-fabricated initiative in 2005 and was named one of the 25 most influential interior designers in LA.
Richard Meier & Partners/ Meier Partners
Studio overview
- Location – 1001 Gayley Ave 3rd Fl, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States
- Website – www.meierpartners.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 119
- Established in – 1963
Ethos
Meier Partners is a global firm and a leader in the field of architecture founder by Richard Meier a Pritzker Prize laureate who retired in 2021 and led to the change in the name to Meier Partners. With projects in every part of the world, the philosophy is to take every project as an opportunity for expression.
With the moving architecture and design philosophy of Richard Meier, the company can make a positive and social impact on communities and offer an unparallel experience of a place.
Specialty
Initially, the firm designed exceptional residential projects in public and private realms. Then went on to design domestic architecture and large-scale civic and commercial buildings that went to become landmarks. Over the years they are also involved in many collaboratives work and master planning.
AECOM
Studio overview
- Location – 300 South Grand Avenue, Suite 900, Los Angeles, California, 90071, United States
- Website – www.aecom.com
- Number of offices – All around the world
- Number of employees – 54,000
- Established in – 1990
Ethos
Aecom is a multi-national architecture and construction company with its headquarters in LA. It has become one of the biggest names in this field just in a span of a decade. The company aims to make communities better by providing the necessary infrastructure all around the world.
Its focus is on the advancement in construction and material technology such that a sustainable and equitable future can be created.
Specialty
The firm is a design + construction option with a specialty in architecture, building engineering, interiors, workplace master planning, urban design, and portfolio advisory experts.
Aecom regularly features in the fortune 500 companies and top environmental firms in the country.
EYRC
Studio overview
- Location – 10865 Washington Blvd, Culver City, California, 90232, United States
- Website – www.eyrc.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 45
- Established in – 1979
Ethos
The Core principle of the firm comes from the experience of founder Steven Ehrlich as a part of the peace corps in Africa. They are ambitious to create healthy and diverse communities with physical spaces.
They are honored with the AIA national firm Award in 2015 and have been recognized with more than 150 awards including 9 from AIA Awards.
Specialty
They are a multidisciplinary firm with various services architecture, programming, master planning, feasibility studies, interiors, adaptive reuse, renovation, and specialty in sustainable design.
wHY Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 9520 Jefferson Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90232
- Website – www.why-site.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 31
- Established in – 2004
Ethos
The ideology of the firm is derived from form follows function but then the function follows flourishing. Thus, their Design allows people and nature to thrive. They are dedicated to creating a connection between people, culture, and places.
Specialty
Kulapat Yantrasast the founder of wHY architect is one of the most sorts after person to design art galleries and Museums all around the world. Born in Bangkok now has two offices in New York and LA.
The firm has been awarded Silpathorn Award in 2009. Their notable works include the metropolitan museum of art, Grand Rapid Art Museum among others.
CO Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 5055 Wilshire Blvd, Fl 9, Los Angeles, California, 90036, United States
- Website – www.coarchitects.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 126
- Established in – 1986
Ethos
Since its inception, the goal of the firm has been to create an environment that affects the users and leaves an impression through their design. They take the interest of the communities who are affected by the building and the people who use them every day as they serve as the key components in any successful design.
Specialty
CO Architects are renowned for their extensively varied portfolio from large and complex institutes, science and technology, and healthcare projects. The firm has designed major benchmarks and award-winning buildings for both public and private clients including the University of California, Judicial council of California among many.
Shimoda Design
Studio overview
- Location – 837 Traction Ave, Ste 101, Los Angeles, California, 90013, United States
- Website – www.shimodadesign.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – <25
- Established in – 2000
Ethos
Joey Shimoda and Susan Chang founded Shimoda Design Group at a live/work warehouse in the burgeoning Arts District of downtown Los Angeles. Their motto “Inside to Out. Outside to In.” let them grown their love of creativity and tell the world.
Their eclectic sensibilities collaborate with their unique client culture for engaging, enlivening, transformative design.
Specialty
The firm has made an image as the most versatile and innovative office design in LA. Shimoda has collaborated with Morphosis on two projects as an intern which received recognition and now works with the most prolific clients like Rolex, Viacom, and Bloomberg.
SPF Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 8609 Washington Blvd, Culver City, California, 90232, United States
- Website – www.spfa.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 25
- Established in – 1988
Ethos
High-level Design Sensitivity, technical expertise, and hands-on principal involvement are some of the key focus areas of the firm’s Core Ideology. Their practice is pragmatic and holistic in nature, as they pursue to challenge conventions in architecture. Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA, and Judit M Fekete -Pali established the firm and has been an award-winning team.
Specialty
One of the most recognized firms in institutional and residential design. The firm is credited with several projects and has been recognized with over 80 national and international awards for projects like the Wallis Annenberg Centre of performing arts.
Michael Maltzan architecture
Studio overview
- Location – 2801 Hyperion Avenue 107, Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
- Website – www.mmaltzan.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 29
- Established in – 1995
Ethos
The firms work on the belief that architecture continues to have a fundamental, potent role in shaping how we experience the world.
This translates to the fact that their practices involve public engagement, and exploring the complexity and possibility through architecture. The interaction between built space and its user serves as a perfect ground to express ideas and forge relationships through experience.
Specialty
Well known for their architecture and urban design practice in the public realm. Especially designs and construction projects which engage communities and their context. They practice collaborative work that integrates sustainability and architectural form.
AUX Architecture
Studio overview
- Location – 2404 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 12D, Los Angeles, California, 90057, United States
- Website – www.auxarchitecture.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 30
- Established in – 2008
Ethos
The founder Brian Wickersham leads the firm to create spaces that feel good. To achieve that they work in close collaboration which is their core principle, to bring craft and clarity to designs at every scale. Functionality, sustainability, and beautiful materials are the hallmark of the firm’s practice.
Specialty
The firm works with single to multifamily residential homes to commercial and cultural buildings. Recent works have been towards providing mixed-use, offices, and residential design.
Griffin Enright Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 12468 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
- Website – www.griffinenrightarchitects.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 30
- Established in – 2000
Ethos
The idea behind their approach is to create hybrid designs which are developed from the basic design strategies that are essential for a project. These hybrids can be replicated on every scale of a project through materials, space, movement, and light to create entirely new experiences. They advocate the idea of hybrids being the new model of an authentic.
Specialty
The firm is a full-service architectural office and specializes in building sustainable spaces that contribute to enhancing its surrounding. They work with a lot of residential projects especially in the southern part of the city which has a history of innovative houses.
Eric Owen Moss Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 8557 Higuera St, Culver City, California, 90232, United States
- Website – www.ericowenmoss.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 25
- Established in – 1973
Ethos
The office is driven by the philosophy of “Make it new”, by avoiding traditional organizational strategies and repetitive design solutions. They want the people to see, to feel, and understand architecture for which they try new and imaginative ways to engage people and aim to create spaces where people can feel the spirit of discovery.
Their focus of the design is on both the individual building and its relation with the city which makes their every project personal and unique.
Specialty
EOMA works with all kinds of topology from architecture, interior, and planning. They have projects in U.S. and all around the world but their work with urban revitalization and restoration throughout the city is quite prominent.
The 5 top residential Architect Los Angeles
Dan Brunn Architecture
Studio overview
- Location – 6363 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 503 Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Website – www.danbrunn.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 25
- Established in – 2005
Ethos
An Alumnus of the Harvard Graduate school of Design, Dan Brunn draws his core philosophy by reinterpreting modernism in the 21st century. He believes “MODERNISM MEANS TO LIVE IN THE NOW” and brilliantly displays it through his works. The Bauhaus movement had an early impact on his life from his native place in Tel Aviv and can be seen how he fuse volumes with Light creating a Minimalist Living.
Specialty
Though his portfolio ranges from hospitality to commercial, he gained prominence after his first residential project named Flip Flop in LA. Apart from this the firm also involves with furniture design from the bedroom to bathroom for all you need.
Sweiskloss Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 1424 4th St., Suite 501 Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Website – www.sweiskloss.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 15
- Established in – 1998
Ethos
Sweiskloss is a Design + Construction firm, which derived from two companies previously known as Synthesis and synthesis Builders. Started by Abeer Sweis and later on collaborated by her husband Jeff Kloss. Their Holistic approach of taking up projects from inception to completion is what makes them unique, fast and helps reach projects reach their true potential.
Specialty
The firm’s primary approach is to create harmony between the inside and the outside thus they focus deeply on sustainability and green building strategies. Specializing in residential projects and renovation, some of their featured projects are Culver City Residence & Paul Williams Bel Air Estate.
Landry Design Group
Studio overview
- Location – 1818 S. SEPULVEDA BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90025
- Website – www.landrydesigngroup.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 56
- Established in – 1987
Ethos
The firm believes that’s every home is unique and should be made to suit every aspect of its user lifestyle. To do that they pay high attention to quality and details to create these high-end custom homes.
They regularly get featured in the most famous architecture magazines like Architecture Digest, Robb Report Recommended list and California Homes Magazine, Luxury Living, and Variety. Apart from that, the firm has been honored with many recognitions for its projects.
Specialty
Richard Landry is the biggest name in designing luxury houses for many high-profile people in the west. They design modern contemporary houses as well as classic villas with high attention towards making sustainable and comfortable homes. Some of his most famous houses are Sea Level Residence in malibu, Collingwood Residence LA, and Villa Machu in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Burdge Architect
Studio overview
- Location – 24911 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA 90265
- Website – www.buaia.com
- Number of offices – 1
- Number of employees – 25
- Established in – 1987
Ethos
Douglas W. Burdge has designed some of the most beautiful houses in Malibu, for many fortunes 500 featured clients. The firm is renowned for its diverse architectural styles, and costal-friendly design. With over 300 projects and varied styles such as Spanish and Mediterranean.
Specialty
The firm has made a reputation to be the best in home design. Apart from residential they also work with a wide range of topologies.
The Malibu farmhouse designed by Burdge Architects for Swedish model and chef Helene Henderson is still recognized for its original design and open concept kitchen.
Studio AR&D Architects
Studio overview
- Location – 424 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004, United States
- Website – www.studio-ard.com
- Number of offices – 2
- Number of employees – 25
- Established in – 1998
Ethos
Studio AR&D is a group of designers that believes in shaping experiences through Architecture. Through their projects, they aim to leave a Lasting Impression on the people in a poetic way.
Specialty
They handle the different scales of projects from big high-end residential to small scale or lower-income projects, clients can be a public or private entity.
One of their projects the Schnabel House and Property was a feature in Disney Dramatics as it displayed the perfect mix of fantasy and technology. Their other features include DP lot 50 and Echo.
Conclusion
Architects and cities are in an ever-evolving relationship of influence and from the list of architects above we can be assured that just like Chicago and Philadelphia the city of Los Angeles will always be a magnificent experience.
