Unified Studio Architect – California’s Trusted Architecture Firm
Your Trusted Architecture Firm in California
Looking for architects near me or a reliable architecture firm in California? At Unified Studio Architect, we bring decades of experience in designing residential, commercial, and community spaces across the Golden State. Whether you need a residential architect in Los Angeles, a commercial architect in San Diego, or a specialist for ADUs and seismic retrofits in San Francisco, we provide tailored architectural design services that match California’s unique building codes, climate needs, and urban growth.
California is one of the most dynamic places in the world for architecture. From sleek modern homes overlooking Malibu beaches to innovative mixed-use commercial complexes in Silicon Valley, our team is equipped to transform your vision into reality.
Why Choose Unified Studio Architect in California?
When choosing an architecture company, you need more than just design—you need a partner who understands California’s zoning laws, seismic codes, green building incentives, and urban planning requirements.
We specialize in:
Residential Design – From single-family homes to luxury estates, custom remodels, and residential architects near me searches across California.
Commercial Projects – Offices, retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and mixed-use developments.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – Helping homeowners maximize property value and comply with California’s ADU laws.
Seismic Retrofits – Ensuring structures meet California’s strict earthquake safety codes.
Sustainable Architecture – Designing with eco-friendly materials, solar integration, and LEED standards.
Interior Design Architecture – Bringing modern, timeless interiors that enhance lifestyle and brand.
Urban Planning – Supporting cities and communities in long-term, sustainable growth.
When people search for an architecture firm near me or residential architects in California, they are looking for creativity, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. That’s what we deliver.
Residential Architect Services in California
Homeowners often search for a residential architect near me when planning renovations, new builds, or expansions. California has unique housing demands—from hillside homes in Hollywood to compact urban dwellings in San Francisco.
Our residential architect services include:
Custom Home Design
Additions and Expansions
Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Plans
ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Sustainable & Energy-Efficient Homes
Permit-Ready Drawing Sets
Why Californians Choose Our Residential Architects:
Expertise in fire-resistant and earthquake-safe design.
Smart use of space for dense city living.
Knowledge of HOA approvals and municipal codes.
Whether you’re in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno, our residential design team ensures your project is both beautiful and compliant.
Commercial Architect Services in California
Businesses and developers looking for a commercial architect in California need firms that balance function, branding, and compliance.
We work with:
Corporate offices and coworking spaces.
Retail stores and shopping centers.
Restaurants, cafes, and hospitality spaces.
Healthcare and educational institutions.
Mixed-use and urban developments.
Our approach includes:
Optimized layouts for customer experience.
ADA compliance for accessibility.
Smart energy and water-efficient solutions.
Scalable designs for business growth.
When clients search for a commercial architect near me in California, we ensure that their vision becomes a fully operational, code-compliant reality.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Design in California
California’s housing shortage has made ADUs one of the most popular requests. As experts in residential architects near me, we help property owners design and permit ADUs in compliance with California state law.
Our ADU services include:
Detached backyard units.
Garage conversions.
Basement apartments.
Multi-generational housing solutions.
We ensure your ADU meets all city-specific zoning laws, parking regulations, and setback requirements. This not only provides rental income but also boosts property value.
Seismic Retrofit & Safety Upgrades
California’s location along the San Andreas Fault means seismic safety is critical. Many homeowners and businesses search for architectural design services related to seismic retrofits.
We provide:
Soft-story retrofits for apartments.
Earthquake bracing for older homes.
Commercial building retrofits.
Permit documentation and compliance plans.
Our designs ensure safety while preserving the aesthetics of your structure.
Sustainable Architecture in California
With California leading the way in green building, many clients seek sustainable architecture solutions. We integrate eco-conscious design into every project by:
Using renewable and recycled materials.
Incorporating solar panels and passive cooling.
Designing water-wise landscapes.
Targeting LEED and CALGreen certifications.
This makes our firm a top choice for eco-conscious clients searching for a design architect near me who values the environment.
Urban Planning & Large-Scale Projects
California’s rapid urbanization requires smart urban planning. Our expertise includes:
City planning consultations.
Transit-oriented development strategies.
Masterplans for communities and campuses.
Public infrastructure design.
We assist municipalities and private developers in creating long-term, sustainable growth models.
Unified Studio Architect: Full Suite of Services in California
Unified Studio Architect delivers end-to-end architectural support throughout California—covering Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, Sacramento, Orange County, and Central & Northern regions. Below is a quick overview you can drop onto a service page or location landing page.
As-Built Drawing Services in California
We produce precise as-built drawings that capture the true, existing conditions of your property. From Victorian updates in San Francisco to coastal renovations in San Diego and tenant improvements in Los Angeles, our field-verified plans form the foundation for accurate remodels, change-of-use, seismic upgrades, and code-driven improvements across the state.
Popular in: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland, Sacramento.
Commercial Permit Services in California
We navigate complex permitting in jurisdictions such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento. Our commercial permit services coordinate submittals for construction, renovation, or occupancy while aligning with zoning, fire and life safety, accessibility requirements, energy standards (Title 24), CALGreen, and local amendments to the California Building Code.
Use for: Offices, retail, hospitality, mixed-use, adaptive reuse, TI projects.
Virtual Staging Services in California
We transform unfurnished photos into compelling, market-ready interiors tailored to California buyers. Ideal for brokerages, developers, and owners seeking faster lease-up or sales in competitive markets from Santa Monica and Pasadena to Oakland and San Diego—without the cost and logistics of physical staging.
Deliverables: Furnished stills, style variations, MLS-friendly image sets.
Landscape Design Services in California
We design water-smart outdoor spaces that fit California’s climate and lifestyle—drought-tolerant planting, native palettes, efficient irrigation, hardscape, and lighting. From Napa Valley estates and Malibu hillside terraces to family yards in Orange County, our solutions enhance daily living and long-term property value.
Focus: Drought resilience, defensible space, indoor-outdoor flow.
Floor Plan Drafting in California
We deliver accurate, to-scale floor plans for homes, ADUs, condos, and commercial spaces. These plans support permit applications, construction coordination, leasing and sales packages, and interior space planning in any California city or county.
Platforms: AutoCAD, Revit, BIM collaboration; export for brokers and builders.
3D Modeling Services in California
High-fidelity 3D models and walkthroughs help stakeholders visualize projects before construction. We provide daylighting and sun-path studies, material trials, and massing options suitable for California review boards and community presentations from the Bay Area to the Inland Empire.
Includes: Exterior and interior tours, options studies, entitlement graphics.
Moodboard Development in California
We curate materials, textures, color systems, fixtures, and lighting that align with your goals and site context—modern hillside minimalism in Los Angeles, classic Spanish revival in Santa Barbara, or contemporary urban palettes in San Jose. Moodboards accelerate decisions and unify the design direction early.
Deliverables: Material palettes, finish schedules, inspiration sets.
Architectural Estimation Services in California
We provide preliminary cost models and timeline forecasts that reflect California market conditions—labor, materials, permitting, and schedule risk. Our estimates support feasibility studies for residential remodels, ADUs, commercial tenant improvements, and ground-up developments statewide.
Outputs: Cost ranges, alternates, value-engineering options, schedule paths.
Residential Permit Services in California
We coordinate residential permit submittals for single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, and ADUs. Services include building, structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing documentation, plus Title 24 energy compliance and CALGreen checklists—streamlining approvals in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and beyond.
Specialties: ADU code pathways, hillside ordinances, coastal zone considerations.
High-Quality Renderings in California
Photorealistic renderings support marketing, investor decks, community outreach, and HOA approvals. We depict true finishes, daylight, and context—from Laguna Beach coastal residences to mixed-use towers in Downtown Los Angeles and tech campuses in Silicon Valley.
Formats: Still imagery, cinematic fly-throughs, presentation boards.
Architectural Drafting and Design Services in California
From schematic design through construction documents, we prepare coordinated drawing sets to the highest standards. Using AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM workflows, we align architectural intent with structural, MEP, and code requirements for residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across California.
Includes: Code analysis notes, coordination sets, bidding and addenda support.
Remodeling Services in California
We reimagine kitchens, baths, additions, façades, and whole-home transformations, as well as commercial refreshes and adaptive reuse. From Craftsman restorations in Pasadena and mid-century updates in Palm Springs to loft conversions in Oakland, our team blends contemporary performance with regional character and compliance.
Options: Phased construction, occupied remodel strategies, seismic and energy upgrades.
Cities & Regions We Serve in California
At Unified Studio Architect, we are proud to deliver professional residential and commercial architectural services across all major regions of California. Whether you are searching for an “architect near me” in a busy metropolitan hub or an “architecture firm near me” in a quieter community, our team is well-versed in the unique design styles, zoning codes, and construction requirements across the state.
Los Angeles County & Surrounding Areas
Our architectural services in Los Angeles County cover everything from luxury residential design in Beverly Hills and Bel Air, to modern mixed-use developments in Santa Monica, Culver City, and West Hollywood. We also support homeowners and businesses in Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and Long Beach, providing complete architectural design services that meet local permitting, historic preservation, and sustainability standards.
San Diego County
In San Diego County, our architects specialize in residential and commercial projects that embrace the coastal lifestyle. From modern homes in La Jolla and Del Mar, to large-scale developments in Chula Vista, Carlsbad, and Oceanside, our team balances functionality with California’s energy efficiency codes. We also serve Encinitas, Escondido, and San Marcos, helping clients navigate design review boards and city planning requirements.
The Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most design-driven regions in the United States. We provide architectural services in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Palo Alto, and San Jose, delivering innovative designs that meet seismic code requirements while embracing sustainable and urban planning principles. Whether it’s a high-tech office campus in Silicon Valley, a custom residence in Marin County, or a commercial project in Walnut Creek, our architects are ready to create spaces that align with the Bay Area’s unique architectural character.
Central California
For clients in Central California, our team brings professional architectural design to cities like Fresno, Bakersfield, Clovis, Visalia, and Modesto. These regions often involve projects with agricultural, suburban, and mixed-use considerations. Whether you are developing a residential community or renovating a commercial property, we provide tailored architectural solutions that align with local zoning requirements and community growth initiatives.
Northern California
In Northern California, we proudly serve Sacramento, Davis, Redding, Chico, and the Napa Valley region. Our architects specialize in both residential and commercial architecture, including wineries, estates, and eco-friendly developments that embrace California’s green building standards. With deep knowledge of local planning departments, historic overlay zones, and environmental considerations, we ensure your project moves smoothly from concept to permit approval.
Other California Cities & Towns
Our coverage extends to nearly every part of California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Stockton, and Sonoma County. Wherever you are searching for residential architects near me or commercial architects in California, our firm has the experience and statewide reach to support your project.
California Counties We Serve
Located in the East Bay region, Alameda County is home to Oakland, Berkeley, and a thriving mix of urban and suburban communities.
The most populous county in the U.S., Los Angeles County is a hub for culture, entertainment, and diverse architectural styles.
As the state capital’s home, Sacramento County blends history, government, and modern growth in Northern California.
Known for its beaches, military presence, and biotech industry, San Diego County is a key hub in Southern California.
One of the smallest counties by area but globally known, San Francisco is a center for finance, tech, and iconic architecture.
Located on California’s Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County is known for its scenic landscapes and mission-style heritage.
Famous for its majestic redwoods and rugged coastline, Humboldt County offers a balance of nature and small-town living.
Frequently Asked Questions — California
Quick answers to common questions for homeowners, developers, and business owners across California.
Q1: How do I find the best architects near me in California?
Start by searching for “architecture firm near me” and shortlist teams with strong California experience. Prioritize firms that understand state building codes, seismic safety, wildland–urban interface considerations, energy (Title 24) compliance, and sustainable practices—like Unified Studio Architect.
Q2: What does a residential architect in California cost?
Fees vary with scope, location, and service level. As a general guide, many residential architects in California charge 8%–15% of construction cost, or offer fixed-fee phases for as-builts, schematic design, permit drawings, and construction administration.
Q3: Do I need an architect for an ADU in California?
Yes—an architect helps ensure your ADU complies with California ADU laws, setback requirements, local zoning, Title 24 energy, and seismic standards, while streamlining permits and coordination.
Q4: What’s the difference between a design architect and an architecture firm?
A design architect focuses on concept and aesthetics. An architecture firm manages end-to-end services: code study, engineering coordination, permit sets, bidding support, and construction oversight.
Q5: Can you help with commercial projects in Los Angeles and San Diego?
Absolutely. Unified Studio Architect delivers commercial architecture across California, including Los Angeles and San Diego—from feasibility and test fits to permit-ready drawings and construction administration.
Q6: Do you provide sustainable architecture services?
Yes. We specialize in eco-friendly design, solar integration, passive strategies, high-performance envelopes, and LEED documentation for homes and businesses.
Q7: How do I start working with Unified Studio Architect?
Share your project details and goals. We’ll schedule a consultation, outline scope and timeline in a proposal, and guide you through design, permits, and construction support.