Often recognized as among Northern California’s most charming cities, Vacaville is located in Solano County. It is best known for being the home of the Nut Tree Airport, which houses several historic aircraft. It is also home to the Vacaville Premium Outlets retail center and is bordered by rolling hillsides, fruit orchards, and fertile farmland. This list showcases five of its best and leading commercial architects behind some of its most noteworthy commercial spaces. These firms were chosen based on their stellar portfolios, backgrounds, and experiences.

Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture

3540 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95816

Founded in 1950, Dreyfuss + Blackford provides a complete and comprehensive range of architecture and interior design services. The firm extends its services throughout Northern California and commits itself to the highest of standards. Since its inception, the company has been the recipient of over a hundred regional and national awards. These accolades entail everything from design and efficiency to site sensitivity and compatibility.

The firm is also recognized for its sustainability efforts. Dreyfuss receives stellar reviews and has been featured in several publications, including the Sacramento Business Journal and Building Design + Construction. The project below best depicts the firm’s talent and expertise.

Featured in the September issue of Architect’s Newspaper, this project entailed having to work on the rehabilitation of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Headquarters. For this, the firm had to modernize the mid-century landmark. The top-to-bottom $83 million rehabilitation entailed numerous alterations and upgrades. These include a glass-enclosed ground-floor corridor, several new workspaces, and reinforcement of the building’s signature steel frame and glass curtain.

Studio W Architects (formerly BCA Architects)

1930 H St., Sacramento, CA 95811

Operating out of several offices across California, Studio W Architects has been in business since 1989. It is a full-service architecture, interiors, and planning firm that focuses on the public and private education, civic, commercial, and retail markets. The firm extends its services throughout California and anchors itself on the experiences and expertise of its diverse and talented staff. Together, they provide a high-value and creative approach for each of their clients. In addition, they are known for their ability to manage projects regardless of size, scale, or design complexity.

Spanning over 49,000 square feet, this campus will occupy 11 acres of the 15-acre site. The TK-8 school includes administration, independent study and multipurpose buildings for an enrollment of approximately 600 students, with room for future expansion. Next generation learning and STEAM education is the focus of Kairos School’s pedagogy and drove many of the design decisions. The campus includes two learning commons, independent study, 21st Century classrooms and outdoor learning environments.

HR Group Architects (HRGA)

2277 Fair Oaks Blvd, Studio 220, Sacramento, CA 95825

Otherwise known as “HRGA,” HR Group Architects offers its clients a complete and comprehensive range of architectural services. It works with a broad clientele list and operates out of its office in Sacramento. The firm has worked in some of the most sought-after commercial districts in Northern California and offers its work at highly competitive and cost-effective prices. The firm has been in business since 2009. Its portfolio is a gallery of excellent hotels, multifamily, higher education, and high-rise projects, as well as offices, parking, civic, industrial, and retail spaces. 

This project depicts the firm’s work for the Maru Restaurant in Las Vegas. It tasked the firm with its extensive renovation. The project spans over 8,500 square feet and consists of a Korean barbecue dining space, as well as a zen garden.

VMI Architecture

637 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901

VMI Architecture specializes in residential, commercial, and retail projects.  It operates out of its office in San Rafael and is respected for its comprehensive, hands-on approach. The firm is composed of a talented and experienced team of architects and designers, as well as business administrators and interior designers, who together have managed projects in some of Tracy’s most sought-after areas. 

VMI has completed countless projects outside of California and is licensed to operate in twenty other states. The firm maintains affiliations with various vital organizations like Build It Green and LEED, and it utilizes sustainable materials in every project.

The depicted project is located in Downtown Sacramento. It features the firm’s work on the Cantina Concept restaurant. For this, the firm created a modern theme complete with striking backsplashes and ample lighting.

A2R Architects

190 S. Orchard Ave., Ste C250, Vacaville, CA 95688

Founded in 2014, A2R Architects operates out of its office in the heart of Vacaville. It is the product of the vision of its principals, Robert Henley and Robert Sesar, who together offer the firm’s clients over seven decades of combined industry experience. Under their supervision, the firm has worked all across Northern California and provides architectural design expertise for a wide range of project types. These include hospitality and commercial spaces. Its portfolio also depicts sporting facilities, educational spaces, public projects, and various care and ecclesiastical facilities. The project below best embodies the firm’s talent and expertise.

Located in Vacaville, this photo depicts the firm’s work on the Theater DeVille. It entailed a two-million-dollar transformation and now houses a seating capacity of 620. It also now has a dance floor, dining room, two kitchens, restrooms, and several bars. The firm’s team retained its classic Art Deco theme but revamped it with a couple of modern touches.