Madison, Wisconsin’s capital city, is located west of Milwaukee. The domed Wisconsin State Capitol—sitting on a narrow strip of land between Mendota and Monona—is its most notable feature. Madison’s economy is thriving thanks to locally built companies exporting global solutions, a commitment to being a more equitable place, a diversified range of food and cultural sights, and countless opportunities to create meaningful change.

There are numerous reasons why people adore this city. If you are a developer looking to build a multi-family structure in Madison, here are some of the best architects in the area.

Knothe & Bruce Architects

7601 University Avenue, Suite 201, Middleton, WI 53562

Established in 1974, Knothe & Bruce Architects is an award-winning Madison-based firm specializing in retail, mixed-use, multi-family, and campus projects. The firm serves clients in Madison, Middleton, and surrounding areas building apartments, mixed-use, and student residences. 

The firm is led by Kevin Burow, Don Schroeder, Greg Held, and Duane Johnson. Kevin has over 27 years of experience, having worked on many projects from senior housing to commercial buildings. Don has 30 years of experience developing thoughtful and innovative projects, from mixed-use facilities to custom residential. Greg has been a member of the firm for over 25 years, bringing broad construction familiarity to the management of projects from design development through construction management. Greg’s full portfolio includes over 20 years of experience that includes intricate high-rise establishments, mixed-use developments, office buildings, specialty clinics, and dental offices.

Brownhouse

202 West Gorham Street, Madison, WI 53703

Elegant design evokes that unquantifiable feeling that clients get when they first walk into a facility. Brownhouse refers to the “it” factor as something outside of traditional brick and mortar. The Madison-based firm provides the ideal marriage of architecture and design, delivering inventive and insightful outcomes through interconnected architecture and design approaches. The firm’s goal is to produce quintessential results and stay within the client’s budget while offering an unparalleled experience for anyone working or playing in the space. This, according to Brownhouse, is the greatest metric of its success. The firm has a track record of success in multi-family housing, hospitality, corporate offices, retail, spas and salons, and high-end residential design.

The firm is owned and founded by Laurel McManus, who worked as head of corporate architecture for Kahler Slater Architects and as an HSR Associates in Madison. Laurel holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Alaska and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The firm’s works have been repeatedly featured by the press, including In Business Magazine, Madison Magazine, Western Builder Magazine, My Home Magazine, and At Home Magazine.

Plunkett Raysich Architects

2310 Crossroads Drive, Suite 2000, Madison, WI 53718

Plunkett Raysich Architects is a multi-award-winning architectural, and interior design firm committed to providing creative design solutions. It focuses on architecture and interior design projects that capture the spirit of the communities in which its customers reside, work, play, learn, worship, and retire. Its 85-person staff, led by ten principals, is dedicated to making its clients’ dreams come true. The firm has headquarters in Milwaukee, Madison, and Sarasota. The firm’s staff is structured into teams to concentrate assets, expertise, and inventive harmony on client projects. To provide outstanding results for its clients, it collaborates in teams across offices and studios.

The firm is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and is composed of LEED AP-affiliated professionals.

Kahler Slater

722 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703

Kahler Slater creates beautiful spaces that significantly impact people’s lives. The firm’s vibrant collective of marketplace professionals and innovators leverage the power of design to keep moving forward with architecture, interior design, strategic advisory, and environmental branding.

The firm develops for clients in the United States, Canada, and Singapore for civic and cultural, medical, higher education, corporate workplace, housing, tourism, sports, entertainment, and wellness industries. Kahler Slater is well-known for using design to assist clients in achieving their strategic goals to advance their various organizations. They have headquarters in Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, Richmond, and Singapore.

©Peter McCullough

The firm has been in business for over a century and is led by Glenn Roby, AIA and Al Krueger. Glenn and Al direct the firm’s vision, strategic approach, processes, and further develop Kahler Slater’s nationally renowned culture.

Potter Lawson, Inc.

749 University Row, Suite 300, Madison, WI 53705

Potter Lawson’s crew of roughly 35 employees is small enough to guarantee active participation in every project while being big enough to take on complex and challenging projects. It is also recognized by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Potter Lawson, Inc. is an architectural, planning, and interior design firm with a history of professionalism dating back to 1913. In Business Magazine recently listed it as the #1 commercial architect for the second year running. The firm was also recognized in 2002 with the AIA Wisconsin Architecture Firm of the Year award, the highest award conferred by the American Institute of Architects-Wisconsin on a design firm. It is also a pioneer in sustainable construction, with more than 44 percent of its workforce certified as LEED Accredited Professionals. Sustainability is a current industry trend, but it has been a part of Potter Lawson’s operations for more than 20 years.

Bouril Design Studio

6425 Odana Rd #2, Madison, WI 53719

Robert Bouril, AIA, founded Bouril Design Studio in 1988 to offer individualized architectural design services to projects of any size or site. The firm has consistently asserted that an investment in thoughtful preparation will earn its customers phenomenal projects for many years to come. Keeping this in mind, the firm deploys software technologies that enable complete 3-D modeling and visualization, allowing it to aid clients with services spanning from early conceptual design to bidding and development.

Robert earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1981 and his license to practice architecture in Wisconsin in 1985. In his 30 years of experience, he has been published 52 times, received six design awards, and functioned on nine architectural design review boards and competition committees. He is also a fellow of the US Green Building Council, the Nature Conservancy, the Wisconsin River Alliance, and the American Institute of Architects & Madison Area Builders Association.

JLA Architects

800 W. Broadway, Suite 200, Monona, WI 53713

JLA Architects + Planners is a full-service architectural and planning firm offering a wide variety of professional services. The firm’s offerings help clients at each stage of the real estate development process, from project planning to construction and promotion. Customer satisfaction is the company’s primary focus, and it takes great pride in meeting and surpassing project goals and expectations. The firm accomplishes these goals by delivering carefully designed, sustainable buildings that satisfy client demands.

Joseph Lee, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, leads and owns the firm. Joseph also has a Master of Architecture, Architect, and Urban Planning degree from the same university. Under his leadership, the press has repeatedly featured the firm’s work. These publications are In Business Magazine, The Daily Reporter, Archinect, Madison.com, NBC15, BizTimes, and Madison365.

Dorschner|Associates, Inc.

122 W Washington Avenue, #100, Madison, WI 53703

Dorschner Associates is an architecture and planning contractor that offers innovative design approaches to help clients achieve their goals. The firm, founded in November 2000, is woman-owned, design-oriented, and offers customized client service. It provides exceptional programming, construction documentation, and construction process management systems. Diana Dorschner, AIA, founding principal, and Dawn O’Kroley, AIA, principal, lead the firm.

The firm is headquartered in downtown Madison. The City of Madison accredits it as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE), a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Charitable organizations, commercial establishments, developers, and the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin System are among the firm’s clientele. The firm maintains an unwavering dedication to a high level of service, design competence, opportunity exploration, and respect for the people, their environment, their work, and their insights.

Angus-Young

Churchill Building, 16 N Carroll Street, Madison, WI 53703

Angus-Young is a general practice firm specializing in architectural, engineering, interior, and landscape design. With over 65 years of experience designing projects in a wide range of sectors, it brings a wealth of information and innovation to every project. As architects and engineers, it is exposed to various types of projects, timeframes, scopes, designs, and budgets, allowing it to make better decisions and create more unified designs. The firm has the knowledge and experience to make it a reality. It currently serves clients across the midwest.

The LEED AP, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), American Institute of Architects, and the National Council for Interior Design qualifications recognize the firm’s skilled team. With a history of more than six decades in the industry, it considers itself a pioneer in its field and a leader in its community.