The past few decades indicate that it is Concord’s turn to take the commercial spotlight. For forty years, the city was primarily a commuter town for San Francisco and Oakland. Today, this large community offers job opportunities of its own, employing nearly 70 thousand people. The largest industries in Concord include retail, healthcare, and technical services. Meanwhile, mining, quarry, and oil and gas extraction are among the highest paying ones. Consequently, the individual and residential income in the city is easily higher than the national average. People in Concord have money to spend.
Commercial architects in the area are available to help businesses meet this increasing demand. Our editorial team has decided to introduce the best five of them. On this list, you will get to know the firms according to their specializations, styles, awards, and projects.
MSA Architecture
360 22nd Street, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94612
MSA Architecture spent 45 years mastering architecture in various markets, including offices, retail, hospitality, medical, and science. The firm has been recognized by numerous award-giving bodies in a variety of industries. For example, the company is among the Healthcare Giants Top 40 and the WM+SD Top 50 Retail Design Firms; it also won the Best San Francisco Office Build-Out Award. With comprehensive services (i.e., analysis, scoping, design, documentation, and construction), this Oakland-based firm has cemented itself as a go-to firm across markets nationwide.
Attesting to MSA Architecture’s dependability are the high-profile companies that keep coming back to the firm for more. One of these is the electric automobile manufacturer Tesla. In 2012, Tesla hired MSA’s architectural and design team for its new retail locations. MSA went on to handle the manufacturer’s Charging Stations and Services Centers as well. Skillfully working around technical difficulties of entitlements and facilities specifications, MSA completed 67 projects for Tesla, which are located across 20 states and countries.
BKBC Architects Inc.
1371 Oakland Boulevard, Suite 101, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
BKBC Architects stands out on this list for its breadth of projects worldwide, thanks to its principal Sanjiv Bhandari. Bhandari has studied Architecture in India, the Netherlands, and in San Francisco. And with 40 years of experience in the industry, he is a reputed thought leader in planning and design, particularly of retail-centric buildings. Throughout his career, Bhandari has worked in 27 states in the U.S. and 12 countries worldwide.
As a firm, BKBC Architects strives for creative, logical, and functional design solutions sensitive to the project’s context and surroundings. In 2015, this Walnut-based company was awarded the Most Innovative Business Leaders Award by AI Global Media Limited. Not surprisingly, BKBC Architects has also been internationally recognized for its Planning and Design services. The firm has won the ULI Global Awards for Excellence 2019 for its International Market Place in Hawaii. The company has also bagged the 2017 ICSC Design & Development Awards for New Developments Commendation for its work on The Mall of San Juan in Puerto Rico.
LCA Architects
590 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 310, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
The asset of LCA Architects is its comprehensive approach. For over four decades, the firm continues to hone its skill in streamlining processes, regardless of how complex the project may be. To do so, the company invests in its team of experts. For instance, the firm has an in-house program—LCA University—that provides American Institute of Architects (AIA) continuing education seminars for employees to keep updated with code changes.
The company is also proud to have its specialists in California Green Building Standards Code (CAL Green), LEED, commercial interiors, and entitlements. Having these experts on the team means that the company can offer way more to its clients. As a result, LCA Architects has attracted an impressive clientele. The firm has patrons in various markets such as hospitality, education, public safety, industrial, and mixed-use. The company has also designed its way through the San Francisco Bay Area, the western U.S., and across the globe—Alaska, Virginia, Hawaii, Japan, Bahrain, to name a few.
Ruffin Architecture
2363 Boulevard Circle, Suite 2, Walnut Creek, CA 94595
One of the most admirable characteristics of Ruffin Architecture is its fairness to all customers. The firm promises each client keen attention by providing innovative and personal designs no matter how small the project is. Furthermore, the company understands and adjusts according to the customer’s needs, budget, and vision to illuminate such designs.
The client-centered philosophy of Ruffin Architecture is evident in its commercial projects. The firm has developed high-caliber designs for family centers, restaurants, office condominiums, and learning centers. The company also works on commercial remodels. Take, for example, the exterior modernization and dry rot repair of a mixed-use building in Walnut Creek, pictured here.
Commercial clients may want to try Ruffin Architecture’s client-centered interior services—from space planning to interior finish selection. Through lighting, color, materials, and space contrasts, the firm can deliver a signature style. All thanks to the company’s mastery of rhythm, proportion, and elegance.
Volkmann Architecture
1601 North Main Street, Suite 202, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Working for residential and commercial design firms gave principal Philip Volkmann the right experience and eventually the confidence to start his own company a decade after. When he founded Volkmann Architecture in 1987, Philip Volkmann took inspiration from classical architecture with modern influences—a very Californian style. Volkmann is genuinely fond of these architectural innovations—so much that his firm has committed to expanding classical design by affiliating with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA).
Combining industry experience, knowledge, and its signature architectural style, Philip Volkmann can consistently deliver holistic designs. Since sustainability is one of the key features of classic architecture with a modern touch, Volkmann prioritizes a deep understanding of how individuals live, work, and play. These aspects are his criteria for success when it comes to creating distinct, comfortable, and cost-efficient designs.
