Indianapolis is a family-friendly town that has attracted millennials and their young families thanks to its growing economy and low unemployment rate. Young professionals starting their careers are also drawn to Indianapolis’ low cost of living and high demand for workers.

Business owners looking for an architecture firm to help execute their vision will find a multitude of choices in Indiana. Our editorial team did some in-depth research to find the best commercial architects in Indianapolis. We chose industry leaders who stood out from their peers, selecting each firm for their awards, achievements, and client portfolio. The companies on this list are qualified and equipped to handle complex projects regardless of project size and scope.

Curran Architecture

5719 Lawton Loop East Drive, Suite #212 Indianapolis, IN 46216

Founded in 2003, Curran Architecture is a full-service architecture firm with comprehensive experience in historic preservation and green building practices. The firm encompasses a variety of architectural styles ranging from contemporary to traditional designs. Since its inception, the design studio has completed a broad range of projects including retail, corporate, mixed-use, medical, and industrial segments throughout the U.S.

Founder Shawn Curran has grown the company into one of the top commercial architecture firms in Indianapolis. The company believes in building strong relationships with clients, partners, and subcontractors and has plenty of repeat clients as a result. In 2017, the firm was named the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Indiana Architect of the Year.

Curran Architecture crafted a traditional design for the Ossip Optometry retail store in Zionville while integrating modern and chic elements. The overall design blended well with the town’s historic environment. 

Cripe

3939 Priority Way South Drive, Suite #200, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Cripe is a leading multidisciplinary architecture firm in Indiana offering design, engineering, planning, and real estate services. Founded in 1937, the firm focuses on designing for the commercial, retail, education, health, municipal, and industrial sectors. The company’s team of problem solvers combines innovative design solutions with a creative approach to deliver superior design and service on every project.   

Established by Paul I. Cripe, the firm is one of the top minority-owned businesses in Indiana. With offices in Indiana, Bloomington, Evansville, and Southwest Florida, the firm has grown its clientele and amassed a diverse portfolio. Leading the firm is Chairman and CEO Alex D. Oak who is committed to providing environmentally efficient solutions for wastewater. Under his guidance, the company is dedicated to preserving the core values of accountability and community service.

One of the company’s highlight projects, the River Centre Development, is a three-story building that opens to a lush green space. Cripe redeveloped the property to preserve the floodplain and ensured all city codes and requirements were properly implemented.

Peterson Architecture

298 S 10th Street, Suite #500, Noblesville, IN 46060

Noblesville-based Peterson Architecture offers a full scope of service architectural and planning services with projects located throughout Indiana. For over 20 years, the company has been focused on providing superior quality architecture and engineering solutions in 48 states. Offering innovative solutions and advanced technologies, the design studio focuses on commercial, education, religious, municipal, industrial, and residential properties.

With an established network of partners, subcontractors, and vendors, the firm provides services at a reasonable price without compromising the design concept. Composed of highly skilled and experienced architects, the firm is committed to providing exceptional customer experience and satisfaction.  Under the leadership of founder Darren Peterson, the company has earned several recognitions including the Hamilton County Times 2017 Readers’ Choice Award for the 10th consecutive time.

The Barkefellers is an award-winning pet store in Indianapolis and serves as one of the firm’s notable commercial projects. For this property, Peterson Architecture conceptualized a fun and attractive pet-friendly hotel and added plenty of warm colors and textures to create a friendly environment.

DKGR Architects

10 West Market Street, Suite #800, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Architectural design studio DKGR Architects is anchored in design originality. Established in 2010, the firm was formed through the partnership of founders Brian Schubert, John Albrecht, and Anson Keller. Thanks to their combined industry knowledge, experience, and expertise, the company offers extensive design planning and building information across all types of projects. The firm’s advanced tools and technologies provide efficient integrated project delivery during all stages of the design and build process.

Specializing in commercial, civic, healthcare, and education sectors, the firm has produced numerous successful projects across all project scopes and sizes. 70% of the firms’ projects are focused on commercial projects located throughout Indianapolis. One of the company’s most challenging projects was the property located at 800 North Capital Avenue. DKGR Architects was tasked to redevelop the old, dilapidated structure by delivering meticulously planned exhibits. The firm took on the task of restoring and preserving the historic building.

Rowland Design

702 N Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Rowland Design is committed to providing high-quality, creative, and thoughtful designs for clients. Recognized for delivering exceptional expertise in architecture, interior design, and graphics, the firm has completed countless successful projects from coast to coast. Established in 1968, the design firm is spearheaded by principal architect Eric Rowland, a strong advocate of sustainable practices. Under his guidance is a team of driven and talented specialists who share the same passion for design excellence.

In 2019, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) AIA honored the company with the Indiana Firm of the Year for its impressive designs. Rowland Design was tasked to redesign the IU Cinema and Drama Theatre for Indiana University. For the million-dollar project, the design studio reengineered the space to accommodate the advanced THX surround sound. This project earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certificate. Rowland Design also won the 2012 AIA Indianapolis Excellence in Architecture Citation Award for Historic Preservation. 

Architura Corporation

9880 Westpoint Drive, Suite #400 Indianapolis, IN 46256

 Architura Corporation is composed of a group of talented design professionals with years of experience in master planning, commercial, historic, and industrial designs. With two decades of industry knowledge and experience, the firm delivers exceptional design and service across various industries and project sizes. Since its inception, the firm has established long-lasting relationships with engineers, consultants, and subcontractors enabling the company to deliver services at a reasonable price.

Firm principal Michael Conly is a seasoned architect with four decades of industry experience and is licensed in 20 states. Under his leadership, the firm’s team of architects is driven by their passion for designing historically significant structures. Architura has been working with Delta Faucet for over 35 years. For their headquarters, the design studio crafted an efficient and practical design to expand the company’s office space. The firm’s other projects have also been featured in the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Axis Architecture + Interiors

618 E Market Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Axis Architecture + Interiors provides superior architectural and planning solutions to clients across Indianapolis. The multi-awarded firm’s philosophy is anchored on achieving design excellence. In 26 years, the design studio has expanded its services to international markets. With offices in the U.S., India, and Thailand, the company continues to exceed customer expectations and guarantees satisfaction in every aspect of the projects it takes on. Focusing on commercial, corporate, healthcare, retail, and industrial industries, the firm has built a diverse portfolio with positive client reviews.

Axis Architecture + Interiors was founded in 1995 by partners Kevin Cooper and Drew White. With their combined experience and expertise, the firm has won several recognitions from the AIA including the 2019 Indianapolis Citation Award, Honor Award, and the Award of Excellence. One of the firm’s featured projects is the Taxman Brewing Company, a brewing facility that also houses a restaurant. Axis Architecture transformed the property into a functional space by combining modern and rustic elements that add plenty of character to the facility.

Schmidt Associates, Inc.

415 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Committed to curating creative and meaningful designs, Schmidt Associates is focused on addressing the client’s need for having functional yet enjoyable spaces. Founded in 1976, the architectural design and planning firm offers personalized design solutions in architecture, landscape, interior design, and engineering. For 45 years, the firm has completed many projects for schools, colleges, and universities across Indiana.

Founded by Architect Wayne Schmidt, the firm is focused on designing projects that cater to the renewal and enrichment of the urban community. Schmidt Associates is recognized for its role in revitalizing the Mass Ave. neighborhood and several restoration projects. The Penrose on Mass Avenue is a well-known project of Schmidt Associates. The firm created a modern design that blends naturally with the historic elements of the neighborhood. Having completed a variety of outstanding projects, the design studio was recently awarded the 2020 Indy Chamber’s Monumental Award.

RATIO Design

101 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

The renowned international design firm RATIO Design provides architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, preservation, and graphic design services. For nearly four decades, the design studio has developed high-quality designs for commercial, workplace, higher education, k-12 education, community, hospitality, and residential and mixed-use projects.

The firm has amassed a diverse portfolio of clients while delivering innovative design solutions across the globe. With studios in Indianapolis, Chicago, Raleigh, Denver, and Champaign, IL, the firm has developed a wide network of partners and clients. Leading the Indianapolis studio are Principals Chris Meier, AIA, LEED AP, and Chris Boardman, AIA, LEED AP, who both have extensive experience in architecture.

Provided by RATIO Design. Photographed by Susan Fleck.

This year, a highly notable project from RATIO is the Bottleworks Hotel, an award-winning Art Deco masterpiece seen in Conde Nast, National Geographic, Forbes, and The New York Times. Located in downtown Indianapolis on the north end of Massachusetts Avenue, the Bottleworks Hotel is a marquee property in the Bottleworks District, a $300 million, 12-acre development that reimagines an iconic former 1930s Coca-Cola Bottling Plant.

Visit RATIOdesign.com to see more hospitality, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse projects.