Torrance is an area that benefits from a warmer climate, with a yearly average of about 12 inches of rain. This makes the area more comfortable to visit or work at for those living both within and outside the city. With people able to easily enjoy Torrance’s ambiance, several companies have made it their home. Some of the well-known businesses include Japanese automaker American Honda Motor Company and its luxury vehicle division Acura, Arconic, Pacific Sales, Pelican Products, Virco, and Rapiscan Systems.

For those who are interested in joining these businesses in setting up around the area, we have created a list of the best office architects in Torrance. This list features contractors who are known for their ability to produce designs that match a client’s company brand and principles.

ShubinDonaldson

3751 Robertson Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

ShubinDonaldson was founded on the principles of creativity and an ambitious work ethic, which its teams use as the foundation of their designs. The firm has delivered services at maximum value to clients while maintaining industry standards. This effort is backed by continuous investment in both its teams’ skills and the latest technology.

With Russell Shubin, AIA, Robin Donaldson, AIA, and Mark Hershman at the head of ShubinDonaldson, the firm can complete several projects in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange County, and surrounding areas. Working in creative partnership with Boston Consulting Group, ShubinDonaldson assisted BCG in evoking its company ethos of “unlimited possibilities” for its Los Angeles west coast headquarters by creating an office with uninterrupted 360° vistas. A unique feature of the space is the “Hanging Garden”, a meditative space composed of thin, steel-rod lattice that supports a lush landscape 52 stories above the bustling sounds of the street below.

Nadel Architects

1990 S Bundy Dr. # 400, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Nadel Architects is known for its ability to consistently complete high quality work for projects in the commercial, retail, education, hospitality, mixed-use, and multifamily industries. The Motor Trend Headquarters in El Segundo is among its well-known works for retail structures. Nadel Architects renovated an existing office building to meet the client’s need for a creative office to be used by an art publishing/internet company. Some of the features the firm worked on include new large windows for more natural light, a series of tall project bays to create a dynamic space and presence, and new mechanical and electrical systems.

Founded in 1973, Nadel Architects has been acknowledged for its high quality design and services, as well as its collaborative nature. Company president Patrick Winters, AIA, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and Chairman Greg Lyon lead the firm in providing strategic planning and consulting services to clients while ensuring the firm’s teams remain capable of creating innovative and cost-effective designs.

RDC

245 East Third St. Long Beach, CA 90802

RDC is a WELL GOLD-accredited firm in the retail design and architecture industry. It is led by its CEO Brad Williams, AIA, and senior principals Mitra Esfandiari, AIA, and Branko Prebanda in taking a holistic approach to designing structures and fostering client relationships. This approach involves surveying potential spaces to create areas that fit the exact needs of its clients while being a place where people can interact, shop, dine, and socialize.

RDC worked on several projects including its own office in Los Angeles. The office was repurposed from a former Nordstrom Rack and redesigned to inspire employees while remaining functional. RDC removed all offices except one private office for the human resources department to make collaborative space and several breakout rooms. There is a mezzanine that acts as a bridge walk overlook with lounges, workspaces, and pin-up zones.

Withee Malcolm Architects

2251 W 190th St. Torrance, CA 90504

Withee Malcolm Architects was founded by Dan Withee, AIA, LEED AP, Building Design and Construction (BD+C), and Dale M. Malcolm, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, to create a multidisciplinary design practice based on commitment, creativity, and integrity. Its team of professionals has worked on multifamily housing, commercial, light industrial, and hospitality projects throughout the firm’s 45 years in the industry. One of those projects is Grand Kansas in El Segundo, which is meant to be an alternative to the traditional office space for creative businesses. The structure’s design allows the area to be divided into individual units for multiple tenants. The contemporary tilt-up buildings have brick exteriors, 16-foot bow truss ceilings, operable windows, skylights, deep overhangs, and patios.

Withee Malcolm Architects provides services like architectural and interior design, master and urban planning, feasibility studies, sustainable analysis, and 3D rendering. The firm has worked with several clients, many of whom are return clients, in the residential and commercial industries. Some of them are Aerospace Corporation, AMB Property Corporation, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and AT&T.

Studio One Eleven

245 E 3rd St. Long Beach, CA 90802

Studio One Eleven is an architecture, landscape, and urban design firm that worked on its headquarters in Long Beach. The office underwent improvements to its streetscape and facade, which included space for restaurants, the first distillery in Long Beach, and retail stores. Studio One Eleven created a design that is meant to foster collaboration, innovation, and a sense of community; there are custom workstations in an open environment to fulfill this. There are also free-standing conference rooms, a mezzanine, workspaces, and break-out rooms. The loading dock was converted into a private patio with a fire pit, seating made from shipping pallets, and an edible green wall.

Senior principals Alan Pullman, AIA, and Michael Bohn, AIA, lead Studio One Eleven in providing designs that are dedicated to creating vibrant, sustainable, and human-centric communities. The firm works based on the principle that architecture creates the city and each project is seen as a way to enhance spaces. Designs from this firm are made in the context of the place, instead of time, which means the history, climate, culture, and context of a place are what matter most.

Gruen Associates

6330 San Vicente Blvd. Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Guren Associates attributes its success to two factors: its four senior partners and its 75-person staff. The four senior partners are composed of Michael A. Enomoto, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), Larry Schlossberg, AIA, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), LEED AP BD+C, Debra Gerod, FAIA, LEED AP, and Ashok Vanmali, AIA, who lead teams in working together for the industry, client, and project. The firm provides research, innovative design, and project management services to create engaging multipurpose spaces and structures.

Guren Associates has a portfolio of over 10,000 projects worldwide. Part of that portfolio is the remodeling work the firm has done for the Bank of America in Beverly Hills. As the design and landscape architect of the project, Guren Associates worked on new exterior improvements that create visual interest while complementing the modern structure’s glass surface.

D.S. Ewing Architects

723 E California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106

Ewing Architects was established in 1972 and is led by firm president Douglas S. Ewing, FAIA, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). For the last 50 years, the firm has provided architectural and interior design, building renovation, and restoration design services to the Universal City, Torrance, Pasadena, and Glendale areas. Its team is also skilled in designing custom furniture, lighting, and other fixtures for projects.

Over 1,000 projects have been completed by Ewing Architects, including its own office. The team completely reconstructed and redesigned two 1905 houses. Because the office is located in a residential area, Ewing Architects based the exterior design on the neighborhood.

Satoh Brothers International, Inc.

19750 S. Vermont Ave. Suite 100, Torrance, CA 90502

Satoh Brothers International, Inc. (SBI) was initially based in Japan and now provides construction and architecture services throughout America. Its current president, Yoshio Satoh, guides the firm with his experience in production and design work, as well as scheduling and coordinating. Some of the firm’s services are feasibility studies, architectural design, construction management, and consulting. 

SBI worked on Kowa Optimed in Torrance. The project required office and warehouse tenant improvements, which included reinforcing the new exterior facade, roof repair, storefront glass replacement, roller shade and dock leveler installation, pallet rack set up, and new signage.