Palo Alto is one of the major cities of Silicon Valley, serving as headquarters of numerous high-powered technology businesses. Ford, Skype, Apple, Google, Facebook, Pinterest, and PayPal have established their offices in the neighborhood. Commercial clients eyeing to locate facilities and buildings in the area should consider the Best Commercial Architects in Palo Alto, California. These firms have a broad knowledge range that includes several different industries.

In putting together this list, our editorial team considered the diversity of their projects, their awards, their use of sustainable practices, and the principals’ abilities and expertise.

Heather Young Architects

81 Encina Ave, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA 94301

As the founder of her firm, Heather Young brings plenty of experience in the architectural field to each project she takes on. Her career started as an Associate in Connecticut firm Cesar Pelli & Associates (now Pelli Clarke Pelli), working on the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Gonda Building at the Mayo Clinic. Her list of notable projects also includes designing for Samsung Company, 2555 Park Blvd, and the LEED Platinum Bryant Street Residence—a reflection of her enthusiasm for various architectural styles.

Young consistently looks for green design and building solutions. She was a steering committee member of the Northern California Chapter of the US Green Building Council. Her firm is a leader in environmentally sensitive and green design; its projects produce less waste and use fewer resources, employ sustainable strategies, and promoting environmental responsibility.

Aiming to enhance the way people experience the built environment, the firm accomplished a tailored design solution for a Palo Alto University Club project — completed with Fergus Garber Young Architects. As a result, this project’s modernism and inviting ambiance are evident in the glass walls and sloped roofs. The extended floor plan provides more than enough space to accommodate guests.

CAW ARCHITECTS, INC.

455 Lambert Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306

CAW Architects thinks big and it aspires to bring positive change to the world, designing one project at a time. The firm realizes this goal as it instills potential and economic value in historic buildings in need of rigorous repair and existing buildings anticipating new uses. Inspiring the firm to take on such challenges is principal and founder Christopher Wasney. He holds expertise in designing and managing projects for universities, community-based institutions, and nonprofits. Wasney finds proper and distinguishing design responses for every project.

Helping him steer the firm’s success is Brent McClure, a professional with extensive experience working with school districts to develop  LEED-certified campus master plans. He creates these projects through his technical intelligence and design excellence when it comes to modernizations and building ground-up high school campuses. He provides clients with unparalleled service. The firm’s work on the Medico Dental Building in Palo Alto is a great example of what it is capable of. With its clear market and functional value, this project has realized the firm’s goal of bringing a positive change to the community in which it resides.

GKW Architects, Inc.

710 E McGlincy Lane, Suite 109, Campbell, CA 95008

GKW Architects designed MRC Global with a lofted open setting and storage for shipping and handling industrial goods. The firm constructed an exterior façade with glass mullions and metal to absorb natural sunlight to create a beautiful interior. That interior consists of lofted spaces on the east and west sides, eight private office spaces, and a conference room on the ground floor.

This project reflects how GKW Architects stays true to its transparent business practices and provides practical solutions to difficult challenges. The firm consistently delivers solid service by following a time-tested method. That approach starts with the initial analysis, is then followed by design development, fulfillment of construction documents, and then completed in construction. The firm uses high-level design software and an advanced 3-D printer to produce building and site models. This technology helped the firm realize and finalize numerous residential remodels, commercial expansions, and mixed-use high-rise developments projects.

MA Dimensions

228 Hamilton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Ayesha Sikandar finished her Bachelor’s in Architecture and Master of Arts Interior Design at prestigious universities in Pakistan and California. After accumulating nearly two decades of residential, multi-family, and hospitality design experience in the US and overseas, Sikandar opened MA Dimensions with Musa Sayyed in 2008. Her firm rapidly grew with award-winning projects and expanded with a second office in downtown Palo Alto.

Today, MA Dimensions specializes in remodeling, new construction for single and multi-family homes, commercial design, retail design, and hospitality designs. It has made a name for itself by being highly committed to providing cost-effective design solutions regardless of the scope and size of a project. Challenging tasks become a breeze thanks to this team of talented individuals who have a broad knowledge of programming, planning, design, and construction administration. Working collaboratively, the firm uses the most current and efficient technology as it provides work throughout the Bay Area.

Young and Borlik Architects

4962 El Camino Real, Suite 218, Los Altos, CA 94022

Located in Mountain View, this project won a Green Building Award in 2009, a Canopy Award in 2015, and C+A Design Award: Best Modern Update in 2021. Young and Borlik Architects designed this project to maximize the benefit of the prefabricated steel frame. It’s a fun and cheerful facility dedicated to accommodating more than a hundred young students. 

Young and Borlik Architects’ ability to perform award-winning projects comes from its prevailing philosophy to work collaboratively with its clients. The firm makes sure to transform clients’ input and desires into clear, practical, aesthetic, and valuable architectural solutions. 

Andrew Young and Steve Borlikz lead the firm. Young contributes his enthusiasm for resolving the three-dimensional puzzle of infusing the client’s aspirations, existing conditions, and site ordinances. Borlik shares this architectural interest in creative problem-solving and refined construction detailing. He provides full-service design and detailed support from project conception through to completion, including approvals, permits, detailing, and construction administration.