Surrounded by Long Beach on its west and south and Bellflower on the north, Lakewood boasts a laidback lifestyle with urban amenities. This Los Angeles suburb offers a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The population is primarily young professionals, and most of its residents own their homes.
This list is a compilation of the best residential architects in the area behind some of Lakewood’s most beautiful homes. They were chosen based on their individual experiences and respective portfolios. Each firm provides its own unique array of specialties and portfolios. These companies are regarded as some of Lakewood’s premier experts in its most popular architectural vernaculars.
Grisafe Architecture Inc.
3750 Schaufele Ave. Suite #150, Long Beach, CA 90808
Grisafe Architecture specializes in both residential and commercial projects and extends its services throughout Long Beach. With the use of a highly hands-on approach, Grisafe assists its clients throughout the entire process and provides homeowners with consistent advice and communication. From schematic conceptualization to construction administration, the firm’s processes have resulted in excellent homes and spaces. It also works in collaboration with some of the area’s best artisans and professionals, as well as subcontractors who are chosen by a client. The firm is well-regarded for its excellent aging-in-place work, structural designs, and electrical and mechanical systems.
The firm is owned and led by Mark Grisafe. He has held positions including project manager and project architect for various firms before he started Grisafe Architecture in 2005. He was recently appointed by the Mayor of Long Beach to serve as a member of the Cultural Heritage Commission. Under his leadership, the firm’s work has been featured in publications such as Realtor.com and Businessing.
Showcased above is one of the firm’s best pieces of work. Labeled in the Grisafe portfolio as “Aceca,” this home sits in the premier neighborhood of Rossmoor and consists of two stories. Its angled site allowed the firm’s team to design an expansive front elevation and was primarily rendered in the timeless modern farmhouse style. The firm’s team opted for materials and details like bow-top gables, framed columns, siding, and brick.
Gulian Design Inc.
5855 E Naples Plaza Suite #212, Long Beach, CA 90803
Gulian Design, Inc. began back in 1993. Since the firm’s beginnings, Edward Gulian, the firm’s principal, has designed an array of popular and unique styles of custom homes. The firm also tackles any size commercial projects ranging from offices, retail spaces, and restaurants. Gulian Design, Inc. staff consist of Architects and Engineers with a highly trained production team to deliver the most comprehensive documents available for your building and permitting needs. They have won many awards for their designs and services from various agencies and have been featured in several magazines throughout the years.
One of their most recent projects completed is this 4,000-square-foot residence below. This project was constructed in the Naples area of Long Beach, CA. GDI provided the client with a sophisticated facade that includes balconies, floor-to-ceiling doors & windows and an indoor-outdoor living floor plan that incorporated a well-designed landscape.
Interstices Architecture
1322 Coronado Ave. Suite C, Long Beach, CA 90804
Established in 1990, Interstices Architecture works on commercial and residential architectural, planning, and interior design projects. The firm is well-regarded for its exceptional services and has had the privilege of working on numerous award-winning projects. From modern and contemporary designs to mid-century architecture and historic preservations, the firm can take on projects regardless of scale or complexity. The firm adheres to the highest standards and has also been noted for the infusion of various sustainability practices into its work, assuring homeowners of the high efficiency of their homes. The firm is personally led by its founding principal Jonathan Glasgow, who holds a degree in Architecture from Kent State University and a Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Illinois. He has also had the honor of serving as President and Director of Advocacy for the Long Beach/South Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Since the firm’s inception, Interstices has also received numerous accolades. Some of its most noteworthy distinctions include a National American Institute of Architects Housing Award from the AIA.
The firm has worked on multiple projects in some of the area’s best neighborhoods and communities like Park Estates, Los Altos, Bixby Knolls, Belmont Park, and Naples Island. It is regarded for its excellent command of various architectural themes and its attention to detail. The portfolio is an excellent curated gallery of modern and contemporary spaces.
Jeannette Architects
296 Redondo Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803
Operating out of its office in Long Beach, Jeannette Architects is a full-service custom residential firm that dedicates itself to working on unique and highly sustainable projects. The firm guides clients step-by-step throughout the entire process using an exhaustive approach that only appears effortless. The firm has been in business since 2000 is a family-owned, family-operated endeavor. Jeff Jeannette leads this talented team of professionals, who have worked together on complicated additions, wonderful expansions, and various other large-scale projects located on both hillsides and coastal locations. The Jeannette portfolio depicts an excellent blend of extensive designs, with architecture ranging from 1800s historic craftsman bungalows to modern homes and contemporary spaces. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Arizona and is licensed in both California and Nevada.
The firm’s “Mehigan” project, depicted above, features a traditional beach theme. It was completed in collaboration with RD Olson and challenged the firm with redesigning the floorplan of the home. Results now include a sophisticated home office, an entirely relocated staircase, new beautiful French doors, and all-new living spaces.
Kollin Altomare Architects
4265 E Conant St. Suite #101, Long Beach, CA 90808
Kollin Altomare’s portfolio includes work in 25 states, four countries, and at least 120 cities. The firm has become internationally-known for its outstanding luxury residential, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use projects. Its portfolio is a showcase of grand hotels, resorts, and one-of-a-kind custom homes that have garnered both critical and press acclaim. It maintains affiliations with the AIA and the US Green Building Council, ensuring clients of its ability to work with any green or sustainable design requests. The firm draws experience from over two decades of working in the industry and since its inception, has designed countless five- and four-star properties across some of California’s best communities. Some of its most noteworthy clients include Hyatt, Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton.
The project above is a 2006 SARA Award Winner and was featured on a cover of Coast. The main home is comprised of two stories and spans 5,200 square feet. It features six bedrooms, seven baths, a professional kitchen, and an excellent dining area. Its great room opens up to beautiful views of the nearby ocean and has been expanded with a 3,200-square-foot addition that has its own den, covered cabana, steam bath, and a guest suite.
Mark Wheeler Residential Design
325 Roycroft Ave., Long Beach, CA 90814
Mark Wheeler Residential Design extends its services throughout Southern California and specializes in the classic vernacular of the California landscape. From timeless bungalows to Spanish Colonial Revivals and beach architecture, the firm’s portfolio is a curated gallery of masterful work. The firm has also designed several estates and has worked in some of the most quaint and elegant communities in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, and Shady Canyon. Having worked on over 200 homes since its inception, the firm owes its stellar services to its namesake Mark Wheeler. He holds a degree in European History and Art History from Vanderbilt University and spent four years in the Bachelor of Architecture program at the University of Southern California. Wheeler personally oversees each project that the firm takes on and is known to provide innovative and creative solutions.
The firm is a proud recipient of a multitude of awards. It has become particularly noted for its residential rehabilitation. In addition to all of these, the company tailor fits its budgets and plans, ensuring that it sticks to a strict schedule and does not overspend.
Sennikoff Architects
5500 E 2nd St. Suite #2, Naples Island, Long Beach, CA 90803
With years of experience working on numerous custom homes and remodels, Sennikoff Architects specializes in an extensive range of architectural themes. The firm owes its craft to principal and namesake Steven Sennikoff who kicked off his career by studying architecture at Long Beach Community College. He later went to work for a large Orange County architectural firm best known for its excellent merchant-built housing, resort, and hospitality projects. He worked with the firm for over two decades which allowed him to garner an excellent array of experiences for himself—the kind of experience that still influences his own firm’s projects. Sennikoff Architects focuses on design-oriented methods and has been particularly noted for its excellent custom homes, residential remodels, accessory dwelling units, and elder-care facilities.
The project above was completed in Newport Beach. It features an excellent craftsman theme with elements of modern farmhouse elements. For this project, the firm’s team opted for a clean palette coupled with paneled exteriors and large glass windows.
Ultra-Unit Architectural Studio
1327 Loma Ave., Long Beach, CA 90804
Ultra-Unit Architectural Studio is an award-winning boutique design-build firm that specializes in ground-up construction work and extensive residential remodels. It also takes on several commercial and multifamily projects. Operating out of its office in Long Beach, the firm only accepts a limited number of projects to maintain the quality of its work and to ensure that each project receives the amount of attention required. The firm uses only the latest technology and works with state-of-the-art digital construction practices providing its clients with accurate construction costs and drawings. The firm is led by Cameron Crockett, a LEED-certified professional and member of the AIA, who has nearly three decades of experience in working with single-family and multifamily residential projects. He also has experience with restaurants and other retail properties.
The firm is known for its creative solutions and spectacular projects, all of which are crafted on time and within budget. Ultra-Unit is the proud recipient of three awards from the AIA and has had its work featured in Long Beach Magazine, Global Architecture Magazine, and Brave New Houses.
William Hezmalhalch Architects
3767 Worsham Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808
William Hezmalhalch is composed of a group of talented architects, designers, and planners. The firm has been extending its services throughout the area for the past four decades and provides clients with a comprehensive line of work. With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area, the firm has collaborated with numerous agencies and builders. It has also secured a stellar reputation for its excellent approach and demonstrates expertise in numerous architectural themes. The firm also maintains affiliations with important organizations like the AIA and LEED, assuring its clients of its experience and craft for green design and other sustainability methods.
The featured project is taken from its work in the Rancho Soleo community. Homes here come in three types—three-story townhomes, duplex, and single-family homes. The designs often make reference to classic Spanish, Tuscan, and Mission architecture and feature roof overhangs, gable details, eave details, and window and door trim.
