Baton Rouge is known for its strong economy, helping the city rank as one of “The Top 10 Places for Young Adults” by portfolio.com. It is also known for being a good place to start a business, which several companies seem to agree with. Businesses like Lamar Advertising Company, BBQGuys, Marucci Sports, Piccadilly Restaurants, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers are headquartered in the area.
Companies interested in creating a branch or moving their headquarters to Baton Rouge should also be pleased to know that many old structures are viable for revitalization and renovation. Our editorial team has created a list of commercial architects in the area who are well known for their ability to create designs for new construction or renovation projects. Each firm is well versed in ensuring that the spaces they create are sustainable and adaptable to the current and future needs of a business.
The Architectural Studio
409 North 7th St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
The Architectural Studio is guided by founder James D. Dodds’ 50 years of experience in the design and construction industry. Lance S. Malley works with Dodds in guiding the firm to produce designs for distribution centers, restaurants, religious, multi-family, historical, builds, health centers, and workspace projects.
The firm offers services for architectural design, interior design, programming, master planning, and construction. Its quality skills are best seen in the ROUX-61 in Baton Rouge, a renovation project in Louisiana. Originally the Boutin’s Restaurant, The Architectural Studio re-worked the main entrance to differentiate between its current and previous owners. The main entrance also provides increased visibility to the ROUX-61’s expanded bar.
Fusion Architects, APC.
3488 Brentwood Dr. Suite 101, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Fusion Architects, APC works to produce designs that can provide creative solutions while being thoughtful and beautiful. Each project of the firm must be a product of context, history, technology, and inspiration. Brad Guerin, American Institute of Architects (AIA), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) heads the firm and guides its team in producing design solutions through collaboration with the owner, contractor, and architect.
The firm offers architecture, code study, design-build, interior design, life safety, fire protection, and master planning services. Its portfolio contains education, post-secondary education, medical, and food service projects. The Burger King development in Lafayette, LA is based on the incorporation of the project owner’s current prototypical designs. Features include taller parapet walls and storefront window systems.
Architects Plus
618-A Main St., Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Architects Plus collaborates with clients to offer designs and services that are within set objectives, budgets, and schedules. Its list of services includes architecture, master planning, urban design, construction cost consulting, and interior design. Most of its clients are government bodies, private owner-users, and institutional organizations. The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) is among the firm’s clients. Architects Plus worked on a freestanding 13,126-square-foot single-story office building in Baton Rouge, LA. The office houses LHSAA and a public hall of fame. The hall of fame displays 220 plaques and has room for an additional 140. There is a multi-purpose media room for 60 people, a building housing 20 staff members, and a board room for 14 people. The facility also has a break room and warming kitchen for staff to use.
Founder Joseph Richard, AIA, NCARB, ensures the firm is capable of providing services for the automotive, aviation, banking, convenience store, food service, office, and retail sectors. The firm is also experienced in different project delivery methods like traditional design-bid-build, fast-tracked multi-prime, negotiated, construction management, design-build, and integrated project delivery scenarios.
Kern Architects
11822 Justice Ave. Ste. B7, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Kern Architects is led by Phillip Kern, AIA, NCARB, to deliver integrated and comprehensive design-build solutions to its clients. The firm manages every aspect of the project to streamline processes and deliver services that are fitted to a client’s needs. The firm’s services include design-build, architecture, planning, interior design, and programming.
The talented architectural firm has experience in completing projects with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $20 million. These projects are mostly workspace, mixed-use, civic, financial, commercial, and residential types. The First Castle Federal Credit Union is a commercial project for an institution that has served the Army Corps of Engineers for over 80 years. Kern Architects created a design that had an industrial feel despite the small scale of the project for the project owner.
Crump Wilson Architects
5721 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Crump Wilson Architects is known for creating innovative designs within set schedules and established budgets. Managing partner Mike Wilson, AIA, NCARB, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), leads the firm’s team of architects, interior designers, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) operators, and support personnel.
Its services include architectural design, interior design, programming, master planning, and construction. Crump Wilson Architects specializes in workplace, restaurant, industrial, laboratory, research, financial, educational, and municipal structures. The Entergy Service Center Complex is a project that features one main building and several metal buildings for field and administrative employees. Its office building is designed to adapt to the company’s needs. The features include a cloud ceiling system, intricate concrete cut/stain patterns, administrative suite configuration, and several gathering spaces throughout the structure.
Mougeot Architecture
10343 Siegen Ln. Bldg 7 Suite A., Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Founder David M. Mougeot, AIA, NCARB, guides the team of Mougeot Architecture in utilizing a collaborative design approach towards projects and clients. The firm’s hands-on approach allows it to keep lines of communication open, minimize conflicts, maximize design and construction efficiency, and promote client satisfaction. Mougeot Architecture worked on the River Modeling Center in Baton Rouge, LA. It houses a large-scale, functional model of the lower Mississippi River, which will aid in the study of erosion and strategic interventions. The facility also has a large interactive and educational exhibition area, offices for scientists and employees, and classrooms where students can study coastal influences.
The firm has worked on workspace, retail, restaurant, mixed-used, civic, and residential projects. It offers programming, schematics, development, documentation, and administration services.
Coleman Partners Architects
3377 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Coleman Partners Architects offers a variety of services for the Gulf Coast, West Coast, the Caribbean Basin, and the Northeast United States areas. Its services include architecture, master planning, interior design, landscape architecture, and civil and structural engineering. Many of its projects are for multi-family, education, hospitality, office, and religious use. The Park Elementary School is a 76,000-square-foot, two-story educational project. It has 23 classroom spaces clustered around collaborative learning areas. These areas can be used as breakout spaces for individual classrooms or used as teaching spaces for multiple classes. The classrooms have an abundance of natural light and quality LED lighting for improved learning quality. Park Elementary School’s design is flexible and can accommodate different grouping formats. There are also several exterior learning environments including an outdoor teaching area, an interactive water modeling feature, gardening areas, and interactive acoustic music stations.
The firm follows the philosophy of placing service first in all of its commissions. Founder and partner Robert M. Coleman, III, AIA, NCARB, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) AP, is at the head of the firm.
Cockfield Jackson Architects
6711 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Tommie L. Cockfield, AIA, Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA), and Stephen P. Jackson, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP (BD+C) use their diverse range of experience to lead their firm Cockfield Jackson Architects. Cockfield and Jackson have worked on numerous residential and commercial project types for both public and private sector clients. The firm works to produce quality designs that meet a client’s criteria for cost control, functionality, and style. It offers architecture, ADA compliance, code analysis, cost analysis, post-construction, retrofit, and sustainable design services among others.
The firm specializes in workspace, retail, parking, restaurant, healthcare, higher ed, industrial, justice, K-12, municipal, religious, and wellness projects. The Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank (FHSB) is the product of the firm’s renovation work on an existing two-story building. It serves as FHSB’s new branch bank and a location for its disaster recovery headquarters after Hurricane Katrina. The renovation work included offices, a teller area, a conference room with audio and video equipment, a computer and data room, a break room, restroom, a new elevator, a vault, new exterior stucco skin and aluminum storefront windows, two drive-through lanes, new mechanical and electrical / generator systems, and ADA upgrades.
Chenevert Architects
640 Main St. Suite A., Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Chenevert Architects works to create designs that enhance a person’s work, well-being, and experiences. The firm’s designs are based on how to increase a client’s efficiency, effectiveness, and comfort. Founder Norman Chenevert, AIA, NCARB, encourages the firm to pursue creating creative and sustainable designs that take into account every aspect of a project. The firm provides services for architecture, sustainable design, master and urban planning, and site development.
The Performance Contractors Baton Rouge Headquarters in Louisiana is a three-story, 50,000-square-foot structure. It has a steel frame, cast stone, and glass exterior facade. The firm used innovative design and construction techniques for energy management. It was designed in strict accordance with the US Department of Energy’s requirements for sustainable building demonstration projects. The high-efficiency mechanical systems and increased daylighting increase the building’s lifecycle energy savings. Other projects of the firm include academic, commercial/institutional, health care/wellness, mixed-use, multifamily, residential, and foodservice structures.
Post Architects
12032 Bricksome Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Post Architects follows the lead of founder Skipper Post, Jr., FAIA, and owner Lisa H. Nice, AIA, in ensuring its ability to execute specialized architectural and master planning projects. Its Galvez State Office Building Project is one of the office buildings proposed by the Capitol Park Master Plan, also designed by Post Architects. It is a 13-story building that houses several state agencies. There are architectural references to the historical State Capitol, which can be found in the Art Deco detailing and the 12-story atrium. Post Architects also included a conference center that can be used in association with the office tower or be completely secured from the main building for events.
The firm’s portfolio features projects for the civic, ecclesiastical, education, residential, healthcare, master planning, office, retail, and recreation sectors. These projects range from small-scale graphic design to large-scale master planning to new construction, renovations, additions, and even historical renovations and high-rise.
Dyke Nelson Architecture
235 South 14th St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Dyke Nelson Architecture is guided by the experience of founder J. Dyke Nelson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, in numerous projects ranging from historic renovations to large mixed-use buildings. Nelson ensures the firm incorporates sustainability practices into each project to make them meaningful and timeless. The firm provides architecture, planning, sustainable consulting, development, and product design services. It specializes in multifamily housing renovation and new construction, workspace, retail, restaurant, hospitality, higher education, municipal, religious, wellness, and residential projects.
The Red Stick Social in Baton Rouge, LA is a social house that was renovated from the Baton Rouge Electric Co. power plant. It has 10 bowling lanes, a stage for live music, a full-service restaurant, multiple bars, a rooftop deck, and a beer garden. There is a wide-open entryway with a view of its five levels. The first two floors are filled with tables and seating for the kitchen and bar. Bowling lanes are on the third and fifth floors, with a view of the stage on the first floor. The fourth floor has a space for private events.
RHH Architects
200 Government St. Suite 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Remson Haley Herpin Architects (RHH Architects) works to deliver designs that reflect the goals and aspirations of owners and users while responding to the natural environment. Founding principals Chris Remson, AIA, LEED AP, Trula (Haley) Remson, FAIA, LEED AP, and Sam Herpin, AIA, lead the firm’s team of architects and LEED accredited professionals. The firm’s experience includes completed projects for commercial, educational, library, medical, office, military, highly specialized, and multi and single-family use. Several of its projects have received recognition through an AIA National Housing Award, residential architect National Design Award, AIA State Honor Awards, numerous Rose Awards from the Baton Rouge Chapter of the AIA, and numerous Good Growth Awards.
The Advocate Headquarters in Baton Rouge, LA is a 50,000-square-foot facility that houses The Advocate’s administration and journalists. It is designed to take advantage of its site, which is adjacent to the interstate. The headquarters is meant to be a beacon to travelers between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Ritter Maher Architects
2987 Government St., 2nd Floor Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Scott Ritter, AIA, NCARB, and Steve Maher, FAIA, Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) established Ritter Maher Architects (RMA) in 2002. The firm has since designed and worked on projects totaling over three million square feet. Among its works is the new addition to the First National Bankers Bank in Baton Rouge, LA. RMA worked with its client to ensure the design of the addition would meet the current and future goals of the company. The project was completed in two phases, which included the new addition/parking configuration to increase parking capacity. RMA’s interior design team collaborated with the owner in choosing the finishes like paint colors and furniture.
RMA’s team of architects, project managers, interior designers, and CADD designers is experienced in providing various services. These services include site assessment, existing building analysis, pre-design, programming, design development, full construction document coordination, interior design, and construction administration. The firm’s portfolio includes Healthcare, Workspace, Restaurant, Gym, School, Civic, Industrial, and Religious structures.
Grace Hebert Curtis Architects
501 Government St. Suite 200, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Grace Hebert Curtis Architects (GHC) uses a unique collaborative process and unsurpassed project management to complete projects that meet and exceed the needs and expectations of clients. The Ochsner Medical Complex is a 25-acre property anchored by a 155,000-square-foot medical office building. It houses more than 85 providers supporting primary care, urgent care, and multi-specialty clinics. There are also x-ray, MRI, and CT scan capabilities, laboratories, a pharmacy, and retail food services. The medical office building is attached to a 10-bed micro-hospital that offers robust services in a more intimate healthcare setting. The adjacent surgical center has four state-of-the-art operating rooms, two gastrointestinal procedure suites, and two pain management procedure rooms. The new facility allows the hospital to include thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, pediatric subspecialties, and other surgical specialties. GHC designed the facility for rapid deployment and installation by using curtain walls and massive precast concrete wall panels. HVAC and plumbing systems were fabricated and pre-stacked off-site before they were lifted simultaneously into place on-site. The design allows natural light to fill spaces, which have soft and organic textures and materials.
Other projects by the firm include workspace, healthcare, higher ed, industrial, justice, K-12, civic, religious, and wellness structures. GHC is capable of providing architectural design, interior, programming, and master planning services with consistent quality.
WHLC Architecture
1744 Oakdale Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70810
WHLC Architecture puts listening to and serving the needs of clients as its number one job. The firm works to create comprehensive design solutions that are high-quality, flexible, sustainable, and adaptable while serving its function to clients. Russell Washer, AIA, Mike Hill, AIA, Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Matthew P. Caillouet, AIA, CSI, and Rick Lipscomb, AIA, American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) instill confidence in the firm’s team to continuously tackle challenging and complex projects. These projects include residential, multi-family, healthcare, research, wellness, civic, bank, resort, workspace, education, and mixed-use structures.
The River Center Branch Library in Baton Rouge, LA is designed to be an engaging cultural space and community amenity. WHLC Architecture envisioned it as a multi-faceted learning resource. It has learning spaces like a maker room, a green screen film stage, and a recording studio. There is a large shaded public plaza and a large trellised terrace on the top level. WHLC also included custom-designed sunshades and screening elements for windows. The library’s design responds to its urban community’s move to a more vibrant look over the years.
