A well-designed retail, office, or mixed-use development provides businesses with the best possible setting to serve their customers. It offers a welcoming environment for returning and new customers as well as for employees and staff and represents every aspect of the brand. Such a project requires careful planning by a skilled architect with hands-on design experience in commercial building.
To help meet that demand, we’ve found the best commercial architects in Folsom, California. These firms were selected for their accreditations, certifications, and professional affiliations. Industry awards, client reviews, and press features have been taken into account as well. Below we discuss the range of services these firms offer, their specializations, and the length of time they have been in the industry.
Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture
3540 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95816
Established in 1950, Dreyfuss + Blackford is one of the most respected architecture, interior design, and planning firms in Northern California. The firm has received more than 100 regional and national awards for design, efficiency, economy, site sensitivity, and community compatibility. Its collaborative design approach harnesses the talent of the team, and as a non-hierarchical, “flat” organization, decisions grow from the bottom up. Dreyfuss + Blackford is deeply committed to developing environmentally sound buildings that make the best use of our natural resources. It has been active in the US Green Building Council (USGBC) since its inception and has facilitated the use of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in its work.
Kristopher Barkley, Gus Fischer, Scott Shannon, Jason A. Silva, and John C. Webre stand as the Partners of Dreyfuss + Blackford. They are all members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), with Barkley having served as the President of the Central Valley Chapter. They each lead a team of highly qualified professionals who all work closely with clients to identify options that will yield the most effective design solution. Their skill and creativity are demonstrated in the design of the 4100 Folsom Boulevard Apartments. The firm converted a large old house and garden into condominiums for local residents. The project is located on a major thoroughfare in an older, well-kept, upper-middle-class neighborhood near the downtown area of Sacramento. On three sides of the site are single-family residences. The complex received a Merit Award from the AIA Central Valley Chapter.
Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners
1715 R Street, Suite #200, Sacramento, CA 95811
Williams + Paddon was established in 1981 as a multi-disciplinary firm providing architecture, interior design, programming, and master planning services. The company operates on the belief that quality architecture requires a continuing commitment to design excellence, technological leadership, responsive service, sound business practice, and environmental stewardship.
Four principals oversee the firm and facilitate open collaboration between team members and clients. Jack Paddon serves on the Division of the State Architect Green Committee and with the Collaboration for High-Performance Schools Standards and Implementation Committee, where he shares his passion for passive envelope design and Zero Net energy systems. Meanwhile, LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and Certified Interior Designer (CID) Naaz Alikhan currently contributes as a member of the City of Roseville Economic Development Advisory Committee and is also a Board Member of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and Valley Vision. Terry Green is the Principal of Design: he’s also a member of the AIA and a LEED AP. So is Greg Tonello, the fourth principal. This impressive team of four has guided Williams + Paddon to developing a diverse roster of civic, housing, retail, education, healthcare, and office projects.
One of the firm’s finest works is the Kaufman & Davis Plastic Surgery Center. The shell and interior design of the facility incorporates natural materials and sustainable features, including an indoor living green wall spanning almost a full story. The project follows the checklist for LEED standards and includes natural daylighting, indoor air quality, and materials and finishes with low volatile organic compounds.
Kuchman Architects
2203 13th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818
Kuchman Architects, founded in 1985, is committed to creating sustainable, visually interesting, pedestrian friendly mixed-use neighborhoods. It employs and promotes smart growth principles and energy-efficient design. The firm has extensive urban experience in both multi-family residential and commercial planning and architecture.
Philip Harvey and Bob Kuchman are Principal Architects of Kuchman Architects. Philip’s professional experience includes real estate development, with more than 12 years as the Senior Vice President in a major Sacramento development company. He served for over 16 years on the Planning Commission of the City of Sacramento. In addition to his architecture experience, he is proficient in entitlement process review, policy development, and environmental review. In tandem with Harvey, Bob is a LEED AP, a member of the AIA, Urban Land Institute (ULI), and the International Code Council. Under their leadership, the firm has been recognized with the UN World Habitat Award. It’s also received a Project of the Year recognition from the Sacramento Business Journal.
An outstanding commercial project the firm completed is the Forestwood Affordable Apartments. Forestwood’s architecture blends in with the rest of the suburban community, offering one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans. Each home has energy-efficient appliances, dual pane windows, and a private patio or balcony where families can take advantage of sunny days. Residents have access to a play area and clubhouse with a kitchen, television, and computer learning center. The affordable community was awarded Residential/Affordable Project of the Year by the Sacramento Business Journal.
HMR Architects
2130 21st Street, Sacramento, CA 95818
HMR Architects has consistently delivered quality architectural and engineering services that measure up to the standards of the AIA. It provides assistance in programming, site planning, design, governmental approvals, construction documents, value engineering, constructability reviews, and construction administration. The firm’s notable expertise in historic preservation has garnered a wide-ranging reputation for excellence in the preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures and landscapes. It uses its LEED-accredited and California High-Performance School-experienced staff to incorporate sustainable design as requested by the client. The HMR team is sensitive to existing natural surroundings and insists on a clear and thorough understanding of the context to which each project contributes.
Every project team is led by Principal, Scott Pullen, whose 28 plus years of experience has allowed HMR to deliver spaces in the form of K-12, higher education, commercial, retail, government, and healthcare facilities. Prominent among HMR’s work is the Sauced BBQ and Spirits restaurant. HMR worked with and coordinated the Sauced team of designers and its own Sub-Consultants to make the necessary tenant improvements to this 9,000-square-foot space that was previously occupied by the Hard Rock Café.
Two Rivers Architects
13405 Folsom Boulevard, Building 300, Folsom, CAl 95630
Widely recognized for its commercial and residential work, Two Rivers Architects takes a personalized approach and tailors design solutions to the needs of the client. Its team of architects works in close collaboration with clients and consultants to create spaces that successfully respond to complex programmatic requirements and work well for the end-users. The firm consistently delivers creative design solutions within strict budget and time constraints through a rigorous review of project objectives and quality control. The firm implements sustainability practices in the process of building environmentally conscious structures that result in reduced operating costs.
As the founder and principal, Larry Washington is the driving force of leadership within Two Rivers Architects. He draws on over two decades of experience in the design of schools, office buildings, multipurpose rooms, swimming pool complexes, theatres, and church facilities. As a member of the AIA, he ensures that the firm’s practice upholds that organization’s principles.
Larry built on his company’s prowess in commercial design when he produced the Bret Harte Aquatic Complex. The aquatic facility showcases a 25-yard-by-30-meter swimming pool that serves as a competition pool for the Bret Harte High School swim team as well as a community pool for the public. The facility houses a locker room shower facility and picnic area, collectively providing a safe, clean, healthy, and fun swimming environment for people of all ages.
