Tempe, Arizona is an excellent area to live because of its proximity to Phoenix and the 330 days of sunshine it receives each year. Tempe is a little city with a population of around 160,000 people, yet it is close enough to a larger city to benefit from its resources. Tempe also has refreshing surrounding scenery and a vibrant population that attracts many who are wishing to reside here. Likewise, the city is full of talented residential architects who are masters at creating the kind of homes that maximize the city’s charm. In this list, we present to you the top 5 best residential architects in Tempe, Arizona who are guaranteed to offer home planning experiences suited to you.
coLAB Studio
1614 East Cedar St., Tempe, AZ 85281
coLAB Studio, which was founded in 1999 by Matthew and Maria Salenger, began by combining art and architectural themes into thought-provoking structures. Since then, the studio has grown into a vibrant group of experts that share the goal of generating and facilitating thoughtful, creative, and long-lasting work. Since its beginnings, coLAB has received over 35 major design and environmental prizes, as well as several local, national, and worldwide publications. coLAB’s founders, both accredited with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), have also given talks at a number of prominent universities, museums, galleries, and other organizations around the country and around the world. Learn more about their work at www.colabstudio.com.
Spiral Architects
500 South Mill Avenue #6, Tempe, AZ 85281
Aiming to deliver high quality design solutions, Spiral Architects is a reputed custom home architectural design firm formed in 2013 by Gene Kniaz catering to consumers in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and Tucson. Its work focuses on new construction as well as select rehabilitation and remodeling projects, with a concentration on historic home preservation.
The refurbishment of an early 1980s contemporary home on a Catalina Foothills site is one of Spiral Architects’ proudest works. The client wanted to design a home that was inspired by the best examples of rural Mediterranean design, improving its mountain and city views and conveying a quiet sophistication through the interior and exterior design. The firm was able to fit the home into the desert foothills landscape in a manner subtly reminiscent of the work of some of the best historically-inspired Tucson residential architects.
Cox James Architects
820 South Farmer Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
Since its inception in 1985, Cox James Architects has been creating innovative, compelling and practical spaces that reflect its clients’ business and lifestyle culture. Its unique approach combined with its deep passion for design is apparent throughout unique spaces in its portfolio.
This award-winning firm has caught the attention of Phoenix Magazine, Desert Design Magazine, and Phoenix Business Journal because of its exemplary modern, traditional and contemporary works around the state. It is also the recipient of multiple impressive awards, including two awards in 2019 for Design Excellence and Presidential Citation.
DesignLink Architecture & Planning
14415 North 73rd Street #109, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
DesignLink Architecture and Planning, a Valley licensed architect, interior designer, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified firm, specializes in custom home residential remodeling, providing unique designs catering specifically to the owner or user of the area. Since 1986, its individualized approach has allowed them to design over 300 residential buildings as well as hundreds of commercial and municipal projects across the country. Its principal Debra Weisberg has unique expertise in the commercial, master planning, institutional, tenant improvement, interior, single family, and multi-family residential work. Under her leadership, the firm’s interior design section has developed a speciality in custom furniture and light fixtures, creating greeting cards and calligraphy, and original artwork by focusing on detail, color, and aesthetic. With mastery in its craft, it has been the subject of recognition from press such as Phoenix Home and Garden, Arizona Foothills, and Scottsdale Tribune among others.
J. Moffatt + Associates, Inc.
6197 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85283
Founded in 2002, J. Moffatt + Associates, Inc. focuses on custom home with the goal of providing clients with the highest quality home possible within budget.
One of the firm’s most noteworthy works, the Wickenburg mansion, is a beautiful build in the desert of central Arizona near an old mining hamlet in Rancho De Los Caballeros. The juxtaposition of indigenous materials and textures with glass was carefully considered in this process to satisfy the owner’s artistic taste and take advantage of distant mountain views. Because of the limited building envelope and sloped grade, elements are stacked upon each other, with tall windows and floating ceilings providing panoramic views in all directions.
