Orinda, California is a small city found in Contra Costa County of California; as of 2021, it has an estimated population of only 20241 individuals. The suburb is often listed as one of the best places to live in Contra Costa County, as it provides accessibility to good schools, an active downtown area, and plenty of restaurants, cafes, and parks. The cost of living is high, but premium costs can be expected in a premium place to live.
Similar to other cities in California, it is also a commercial haven. Business owners thrive in the area and put up branches to cater to this small town of affluent individuals. If you’re looking to join the business community in this elite town, you may find this list of the best commercial architects in Orinda, California quite useful.
Jerri Holan and Associates
1323 Solano Avenue, Suite 204, Albany, CA 94706
Jerri Holan and Associates is a nationally recognized, award-winning commercial architecture firm. The firm has collected several awards since its inception in 1992 from various industry associations such as the National Trust, the American Institute of Architects, The California Preservation Foundation, The Art Deco Society of California, The Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, and the Oakland Heritage Alliance.
The firm is also an officially recognized fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a certified Green Building Professional, and a state-certified post-earthquake assessor.
The firm’s principal architect, Jerri Holan, has over 25 years of experience in the field of architecture, mainly in the San Francisco Bay area. She is an active member of several architectural associations in the region. In 1989, she was listed in the Who’s Who in American Women and the Who’s Who in Professional Women.
Jerri Holan established her firm in 1992 with the simple goal of creating buildings that gracefully connect buildings with their contexts. The firm has built several public and private projects. The firm’s portfolio includes custom home remodels, the restoration of historic structures, theater, and other entertainment venues, religious structures, educational facilities, galleries, and retail spaces. Among its most well-known projects are the Orinda Theater and the Orinda Country Club, both found in Orinda, California.
ODS Architecture
5895 Doyle Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
ODS Architecture is a California-based architecture firm that specializes in custom homes, home transformations, office spaces, museums, public work, and commercial structures. The firm was founded in 1985 by Alan Ohashi—the firm’s principal architect and CEO—and it has operated for over 35 years, managing, designing, and executing architectural and construction projects of various kinds.
The firm has been featured in a number of California publications including San Francisco Architects, Top Bay Area Studios, Modern Luxury in Silicon Valley, and The San Francisco Chronicle. It is also a team member of the American Institute for Architects.
The firm takes a very comprehensive approach to dealing with its clients. ODS Architecture has created a full-design process and service that includes a mixture of architecture and interior design. The firm does so through extensive 3D modeling, planning, and coordinating with various departments and the firm’s various partners to see the possibilities and feasibility of each project.
The firm has a vast network of builders, suppliers, and contractors that can give clients various options in terms of design feasibility and pricing—making for a highly personalized and flexible design and build experience for clients. Some of its best work includes the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design and the administrative office of Athens, a 20,0000-square-foot, two-story office building.
Kirk E. Peterson & Associates Architects
5253 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
Kirk Peterson founded his firm Kirk E. Peterson & Associates Architects in 1981. The firm has been operating in California for over 40 years now, providing a wide variety of projects across various sectors and industries. It’s a relatively small firm with only 7 professionals, which according to its principal, is just large enough to provide detailed attention to each of the firm’s clients.
The firm is respected in the industry, and it has received several awards. Most recently it won the 2013 Best Integrated Design for Garage and Accessory Structures from the City of Piedmont Design Awards. The firm is also a team member of the Association for Preservation Technology, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The firm has also been featured in a number of articles for its work in commercial architecture. It has been featured in Building Design+Construction, Architect Magazine, and Berkeleyside.
The firm works in a wide variety of industries. Some of its work has included commercial, mixed-use, multi-family buildings, single-family custom homes, remodels, historic preservation projects, and places of worship. The firm is responsible for the restoration of the Regent terrace in Berkeley. It was also responsible for the construction of the Wesley House and Campus Center found on the University of California, Berkeley campus.
Buttrick Projects Architecture+Design
1144 65th Street, #E, Oakland, CA 94608
Buttrick Projects Architecture+Design is a design and architecture firm that focuses on creating enduring, innovative, lasting, and sustainable buildings. Their projects are known for energy-efficient designs that make use of solar power and recycled building materials. The firm is recognized by LEED as an accredited professional and it has earned its certification as a Green Building Professional.
The firm’s principal architect, Jerome Buttrick, is a member of the AIA and a LEED accredited professional. He has over 28 years of experience in the architecture and construction industry and has worked for several other design and build firms in Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco before starting his own firm in 1994.
For 28 years, the firm has been serving California by creating mixed-use, recreational, and retail structures. Innovation and sustainability are key values held by the company. The firm actively gives back 1% of its earnings for environmental causes and is always searching for innovation in the field of sustainable architecture and design.
One of their well-known projects is the Sierra Club Foundation office found in downtown San Francisco. Its design uses warm cherry wood cabinetry and single-paned divided windows. The design created a space that effectively accommodates the organization’s daily operations.
Kattenburg Architects
3249 Mt Diablo Court, #206, Lafayette, CA 94549
Kattenburg architects is an architectural design firm based in Lafayette, California and specializing in full-service project development. It is composed of top industry professionals led by its principal architect, Rick Kattenburg. The firm operates out of Lafayette and is active as well as neighboring Orinda.
Rick Kattenburg established the firm back in 1981. During the past 40 years, the firm’s work has focused mainly on custom residential designs, public spaces, and commercial structures. The firm takes a balanced approach to its design process that makes functional use of space, respects budget restrictions, and provides plenty of design flexibility for futureproofing.
Rick Kattenburg is a seasoned architect with several years of experience in all aspects of the architectural design and construction process. He is also an active lecturer at the University of California Berkeley. He has a strong background in project management, design development, client relations, and supervision. He’s also a member of the American Institute of Architects and an active member of the Orinda Chamber of Commerce.
He has worked with a number of architecture firms and has overseen numerous projects in residential, commercial, and institutional developments. He has had the privilege of overseeing over 400 custom residential projects and many more commercial builds, giving him the knowledge to manage such projects effectively.
Lawrence Rugg Architecture
4049 Waterhouse Road, Oakland, CA 94602
Lawrence Rugg Architecture is an architecture and design firm that specializes in commercial and residential architecture. The firm is relatively young. It was established in 2009 by its principal architect Lawrence Rugg. Lawrence, or Larry, is a seasoned architect with over 35 years of experience in various aspects of the design and construction process. He has worked for a number of large architectural firms over the years. He has extensive experience in providing commercial, healthcare, research, development, industrial, and residential architecture. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and Business Networking International.
His firm is a recognized member of the Better Business Bureau; its team members are all members of the AIA and are certified LEEP professionals. The firm has also been given its DPIC certificate for Professional Liability.
The firm takes a hands-on approach to the design process with its clients. Lawrence Rugg Architecture fosters close relationships with its clients to ensure a deep level of understanding to ensure that all design needs are met. This friendly approach has resulted in the firm’s many repeat clients and referrals.
The firm is responsible for office spaces such as Mexpo International in Union City California and the Alameda Pediatric Dentistry Clinic in Oakland, California.
