Located at the heart of New Mexico, Albuquerque is famous for its culture, art galleries, museums, and unique cuisine. It is also highly regarded for its livability, natural attractions, and excellent weather. The city’s affordability and reasonable housing options make it ideal for new families and retirees looking for inexpensive locations to settle in. Its booming economy and excellent job market are perfect for young professionals searching for greener pastures. If you are considering starting a restaurant business in Albuquerque or already own one, below is a list of eight of the best restaurant architects to work with in the area.

Studio Southwest Architects

2101 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Studio Southwest Architects is an Albuquerque-based architectural firm operating since 1985. For thirty-seven years, it has worked on a variety of commercial, education, health care, mixed-use, multifamily, retail, and restaurant projects. It serves clients throughout New Mexico and offers a wide range of services, including architectural design, planning, 3D rendering, historic renovation and restoration, and sustainable design. As a company, it thrives by establishing goals, focusing on what it can immediately accomplish and how the team will reach that goal.

President and Architect Ron Burstein, AIA, CCS, leads Studio Southwest Architects. Ron has three decades of hands-on experience managing outstanding projects in New Mexico. He is a registered architect and believes in the significance of nurturing creative thinking and collaboration within the team. Over the years, it has received various awards, such as the Honor Award from AIA Albuquerque and the Renovation/Remodel Award of Excellence from NAIOP.

Mullen Heller Architecture

1718 Central Ave SW, Suite D, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Mullen Heller Architecture is an architectural firm operating since 2001. It is headquartered in Albuquerque and specializes in architecture, interior design, site planning, urban design, space and program designing services, education, health care, hospitality, commercial, mixed-use, and institutional projects. The firm extends its expertise in New Mexico and the Southwest region.

The team comprises creative thinkers and experienced construction professionals equipped with problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Their dedication to their craft helps the firm overcome every challenge a project brings. Michele Mullen, AIA, LEED AP, and Douglas Heller, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, lead Mullen Heller Architecture. Michele and Douglas’s combined extensive industry knowledge and expertise paved the way to the firm’s ultimate success. Michele is registered in New Mexico and Texas, while Douglas is registered in New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona.

The firm has received various accolades, including the 2020 Award of Merit from ENR Southwest.

Baker Architecture + Design

505 Central Ave., NW, Suite E Albuquerque, NM 87102

Operating out of its office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Baker Architecture + Design is an architectural firm founded in 2002. It offers full-scale architecture services, especially educational, commercial, and residential projects. For twenty years, Baker Architecture + Design has served New Mexico, creating contemporary solutions that employ modern materials and technologies.

Baker Architecture + Design operates under Principal Mark Rea Baker, AIA. He is passionate about his architectural practice and was recognized as a design leader. Realizing that Albuquerque is a city that welcomes experimental architecture, he decided to begin his practice and later established the firm.

The firm constantly excels in design, enabling it to acquire various awards for its exemplary works. These recognitions include the 2020 Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects New Mexico, the 2017 Citation Award from the American Institute of Architects, and the 2017 Merit Award from the National Association of Office and Industrial Properties.

The Hartman + Majewski Design Group

120 Vassar Drive SE, Suite 100 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106

Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, The Hartman + Majewski Design Group offers a wide scale of architectural services to the entire Southwest region. As a full-service architecture, planning, engineering, and interior design consulting firm, it embodies sustainable design principles in its works and creates structures that offer lasting value to communities. It was founded in 2002 and has specialized in multifamily, residential, institutional, recreational, health care, commercial, and education projects.

Committed to delivering exceptional assistance to new and repeat clients, Ketan Bharatiya, AIA, leads the firm. Ketan’s interest in architecture stems from his father, who worked as a civil engineer in India. As a child, Ketan played with bricks at his father’s construction sites; then he started sketching his ideas, which was the beginning of his fascination with architecture.

The Hartman + Majewski Design Group has received various awards and recognitions, including the ABC New Mexico Eagle Awards – Renovation/Remodel, 2020, the ABC New Mexico Merit Awards – Education, 2020, and the ABC New Mexico Merit Awards – Education, 2020.

Edward Fitzgerald Architects

121 Jefferson St., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Edward Fitzgerald Architects is an Albuquerque-based award-winning architectural design firm providing commercial and residential projects to Albuquerque and beyond. It was founded in 1987 by Edward Fitzgerald to explore architecture relating to location, culture, technology, and program. Since Edward Fitzgerald Architects’ inception, its superior craftsmanship has been showcased in the projects it dedicates itself to. The firm has built numerous restaurants, schools, art galleries, corporate buildings, and retail establishments.

Principal Edward Fitzgerald has been in practice for forty-seven years, with experience in master planning, feasibility studies, and custom houses. As the principal in charge, Edward assures that every project is well planned, researched, and designed, suiting the needs and wants of clients. The firm employs architects, designers, artists, and builders who are passionate about creating innovative solutions that express the values and aspirations of clients and their respective communities.

The firm has garnered several awards and distinctions for Restaurant, Commercial and Residential design, including the AIA New Mexico, Honor Award in 1999 and Merit Award in 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015; AIA Albuquerque, Merit Award in 2009, 2010, 2014.

Suina Design + Architecture

4411 McLeod Rd., NE Suite A-1 Albuquerque, NM 87109

Owned and operated by a Native American woman, Suina Design + Architecture is a design firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, established in 2014. It specializes in architectural design, master planning and feasibility studies, programming, project management, comprehensive planning, and interior design services, serving clients throughout Albuquerque and beyond. It has delivered numerous projects for various sectors, such as commercial, multifamily, industrial, mixed-use, and hospitality.

The firm aims to support Native American communities and other underserved populations by developing culturally appropriate design solutions. The team employs creative interior designers and experienced architects that collaborate to build the best projects possible while delivering outstanding customer service. They are led by Elizabeth Suina, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, who has been in the industry for seventeen years.

Over the years, Suina Design + Architecture was featured by publications like UNM Newsroom and Delbert Billy’s Building of the Month.

Lee Gamelsky Architects P.C.

2412 Miles Rd., SE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106

Lee Gamelsky Architects P.C. is an award-winning architectural firm operating since 1986. It is dedicated to the concept of creating “art of architecture” while serving New Mexico and Arizona. Over the years, the firm has built a portfolio consisting of diverse projects, including education, cultural facilities, performing arts, museums, offices, retail, hospitality, industrial, urban design, and residential. Each design it develops results from the creative collaboration of its highly experienced team of professionals.

Lee Gamelsky, LEED AP BD+C, supervises the firm. He is a licensed architect in New Mexico and a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1986. Under his guidance, the firm aims to capture the nature of each space, enhance its value, and improve the client’s lifestyle. The complexities and challenges it has faced while working for diverse project types have enriched its quality of service. 

The firm’s outstanding works have been featured by massive publications, namely Taunton Press, Albuquerque Journal Business Outlook, NM Business Weekly, and Albuquerque Journal.

Sam Sterling Architecture

924 2nd St., NW Suite C, Albuquerque NM 87102

Established in 2006, Sam Sterling Architecture full-service architectural practice operating across Southwest, Arizona, and Texas. It focuses on providing public, commercial, residential, and master planning services, with expertise in complex renovations, new construction, feasibility studies, and wayfinding. The firm primarily serves cultural, institutional, and governmental entities and builds lasting partnerships with agencies, clients, subcontractors, and stakeholders.

Under the administration of Sam Sterling, AIA, the firm creates functional and dynamic designs. The team’s hands-on and collaborative efforts enable it to deliver excellent service that surpasses its clients’ expectations. For sixteen years in the business, Sam Sterling Architecture has received thirteen awards for excellence in design and sustainability. With over $200 million worth in projects, the firm’s superior craftsmanship is undoubtedly evident.

Publications like The Business Journals and Deming Headlight featured the firm’s excellent works.