Multifamily housing benefits a variety of people, especially middle to lower-class families and senior residents. Architects tapped for these types of projects should incorporate best practices of ergonomic design for the comfort of the residents.
The following article showcases the best multifamily architects in Long Beach, California. These firms all operate on local and regional levels, with a few tackling domestic and international projects. Each studio on this list earned a spot based off of its portfolio quality, industry accolades, client feedback, and many for their efforts of sustainability.
Next Architecture
100 W. Broadway Suite 3000, Long Beach, CA 90802
NEXT Architecture is a practice that elevates communities through architectural design. Their team works collaboratively to consider social and environmental factors in every project to produce work that fits each client’s vision. Leader Winston Chang spearheads a design team focused on bolstering the urban environment with sound design work. His 30+ years in the business have amassed a rich portfolio that highlights mixed-use, retail, hospitality, civic, and multifamily residential developments.
Under Winston’s leadership, the firm has created many beautiful buildings such as this multifamily building in Long Beach and Anaheim. Designed by Rodolfo Mora, the project uses warm colors mixed with white tones and dark accents. The development consists of four structures—the Boulevard Building, the Avenue Building, the Neighborhood Building, and the Gateway Tower.
KFA Architecture
3573 Hayden Ave., Culver City, CA 90232
KFA Architecture enhances people’s lives by crafting spaces with dynamic design. The studio’s creative equation involves engaging elements that balance a strong aesthetic with an ergonomic style. Founding partners Barba Flammang and Wade Killefer are seasoned architects with years of experience. Their team specializes in architecture, design, and master planning for clients in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Together, these founders and team of professionals have built a prolific catalog with over 50 building conversions in the area. KFA’s residential work includes mixed-use, affordable, senior, family, and special-needs housing.
One of the firm’s completed works is the Pico Robertson Senior Community, a Los Angeles project for Mercy Housing. The 69,000-square-foot facility features a caring environment for seniors that offer private and community spaces. The building includes 48 units, an exercise room, a community room, and small terraces.
Urban Architecture Lab
1657 Alvira St. 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Urban Architecture Lab delivers well-crafted designs that connect the community to its environment. The full-service studio produces creative solutions that embody each client’s individual vision. Firm founder Richard Solares serves as a co-principal with Neil Silberstein and Ewa Opasinski. Their service scope includes master planning, commercial retail, multifamily apartments, transit-oriented developments, adapt-reuse, and mixed-use developments.
The company’s work has earned many standout accolades. Recent merits include the 2019 Citation Award for the Vert Warner Center from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Fernando Valley chapter. The firm has earned many other awards such as these for its outstanding portfolio. This featured project is a multifamily building in 3rd and Pacific. The 8-story structure covers 12,000 square feet and offers 271 residential units of varying sizes. It also includes a market cafe on the ground level.
MVE + Partners, Inc.
1900 Main St. Suite 800, Irvine, CA 92614
MVE + Partners, Inc. excels in architecture, interior design, and planning for residential, commercial, institutional projects, and more. The firm’s streamlined management and collaborative services guarantee customer satisfaction. Such standout work has earned the firm accolades from regional and local organizations. These include the 25-Year Award for the Newport Beach Bayview Mixed-Use Center from AIA Orange County and three Gold Nugget Awards from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference in 2019.
Volta on Pine is a luxury apartment project based in Long Beach. Owned by the Holland Partner Group, the site includes two eight-story buildings with a combined 271 units. High-end housing is available for people with an upscale lifestyle and those who enjoy scenic views of the ocean. The structure includes a three-level underground garage, an elevated terrace and pool deck, and a retail space.
BAR Architects
315 W. 9th St. Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90015
BAR Architects is known for its modern and inspiring designs that exude sustainable elements and a creative aesthetic. President and CEO Chris Haegglund is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and his portfolio reflects spaces that foster better and cleaner living.
The firm works on residential, commercial, multifamily, and historic building reuse among others. Strong work consistently earns the firm recognition like two Grand Awards from the PCBC in 2021, the 2020 Excellence in Classical Design from the Julia Morgan Awards, and the Award of Merit for Excellence in Structural Engineering from the 2020 Structural Engineers Association of Northern California. Over the years, the firm has earned other accreditations like these for its popular work.
The Current, a multifamily development in Long Beach, is one of its notable completed projects. The 16-story high rise is Gold Certified by the LEED Neighborhood Development and Silver Certified by the LEED New Construction. It includes residential units, a pool terrace, and public spaces on the ground level.
studio one eleven
245 East Third St., Long Beach, CA 90802
studio one eleven is committed to crafting spaces that enhance living and working conditions. Through long-term creative solutions, the firm creates engaging and functional hubs that make the human experience better. The studio’s projects span a variety of sectors, though housing is a big focus.
Senior Principals Michael Bohn and Alan Pullman helm the operations of the practice. Together with a roster of design specialists, their team provides architecture, urban design, environmental planning, landscape architecture, and community outreach services. Sustainability is also central to the group’s work, as most of the personnel are LEED AP.
Pictured here is one of the firm’s stellar works. Domain, a mixed-use and multi-family development located in West Hollywood, includes 166 apartments, private patios, and a cafe and market. Top-tier work like this one has earned the studio many awards, like the Honor Award for Santa Ana Arts Collective from the AIA Long Beach/South Bay Design Awards in 2021, and in 2019, a Gold Nugget Merit Award for Affordable Housing from the PCBC.
Rockefeller Kempel Architects
145 Standard St., El Segundo, CA 90245
Rockefeller Kempel Architects is acclaimed for its exceptional design in residential and commercial markets. Industry recognition for their work consists of Gold Nugget Awards of Merit in 2020, a nomination for the 2020 Design Awards of International Interior Design Awards (IIDA), and a Sustainable Innovation Award from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Los Angeles.
Rocky Rockefeller is the CEO and president, and Christopher Kempel is the design partner. Together with their team of in-house designers, they are constantly discovering innovative and creative solutions for every client. The team’s commercial dossier includes hotels, restaurants, offices, retail spaces, housing, and restoration projects. Ergonomic facets are also evident in each of the firm’s developments, whether it’s a private luxury home or a business facility.
One of their completed housing towers is The Current, featured here. A housing tower in Long Beach, the building includes mixed-use spaces, including 16 stories of mid-luxury housing, automobile parking, and an outdoor plaza.
KTGY
17911 Von Karman Ave. Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92614
KTGY is a long-standing firm in the industry, with a good reputation for over 29 years. The company has seven offices with thousands of successful developments across 44 states. The in-house team has completed 126 senior communities and 900 Los Angeles homes in the last 28 years, a feat that continues to grow with every project. Jill Williams is principal and chairman of the board, and Darin Schoolmeester is the principal of the Irvine chapter. With these two leaders, quality-driven philosophy integrates innovation and sustainability at every site, guaranteeing functionality and better living for every client.
PCBC has awarded the studio’s exemplary housing work with multiple Gold Nugget Awards. In 2021 alone, the firm won five Merit Awards for five housing categories—Best Multifamily Housing Community, Best Affordable Senior Housing, Best Age Qualified Senior Living Community, Multifamily Community of the Year for Up to 4 Stories, and Best Multifamily Housing Community.
One of the firm’s previous projects is The Lofts at Promenade, a mixed-use development with 104 units each ranging between 631 to 1,369 square feet. The structure includes retail space, parking for tenants and visitors, and a communal area.
