Poway— half of the city is dominated by nature. Known as “The City in the Country,” Poway has a diverse range of housing options, a great school district, a broad range of dining and shopping options, beautiful parks, and 76 miles of trails. This list presents the best residential architects in Poway: these are professionals who have been in the industry for several years.
With that much experience behind them, the firms presented here are the ones capable of creating homes that take advantage of Poway’s scenic open spaces. Many of these firms are also members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and they are also LEED accredited professionals who put green methods into their everyday projects.
RJ Belanger Architect
525 B. St., San Diego, CA 92101
Being a firm that has been in the industry for more than 30 years, RJ Belanger Architect has served San Diego in various ways with design and construction. So far, the firm’s portfolio has included the completion of companion units, accessory dwelling units, granny flats, and green home design alongside custom home building and other residential services.
Currently, the firm is guided by owner RJ Belanger who has completed design, architectural, and structural drafting work for residential projects for over 20 years. Apart from the services the firm provides, Belanger is also experienced in historic renovations, pool houses, casitas, and guest houses.
Design Everest
601 E Palomar St., Suite C #530 San Diego, CA 91911
A leading technology-enabled engineering and architecture firm, Design Everest has been around since 2005. Since then, the firm has completed over 6,000 residential and commercial projects for end customers and industry partners. That includes new custom homes, remodels, additions, ADUs, structural inspections, seismic retrofits, and roof loads.
A custom home in Santa Rosa—a fire rebuild—is a great example of the firm’s work. This project is a single-story home with concrete and wood construction. Many of the firm’s other projects have earned it recognition from publications like Total Prestige Magazine and Architect Magazine.
Inspired Interiors
5329 Chelsea Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
A firm dominated by professionals who are educated and continuously updated with knowledge about the industry, Inspired Interiors is known for crafting homes in various styles including the modern, European Tuscan, English Tudor, and contemporary. Since 1990, the firm has been completing custom homes and kitchen and bath remodels alongside full-service interior transportation design for yachts, ships, and other luxury motor coaches.
Currently, the firm is managed by Amy McAtee. An NCIDQ certified interior designer and a California certified interior designer, McAtee has 30 years of experience serving San Diego county. She is currently a member of several other industry organizations including the American Society Of Interior Designers (ASID) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). She is also a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) with the National Association of Home Builders.
sk7 design studios, inc.
3065 Rosecrans Pl., San Diego, CA 92110
sk7 design studios, inc. is known for being one of San Diego’s leading architecture firms. Established in 2010, this firm creates intelligently laid-out homes, often in modern and contemporary styles. The Mission Hills Modern Bungalow is a great example of their expertise. An existing and slanted 1919 home, it was given an extensive remodel and addition. The old roof was removed and the firm added a third-story master suite that provided panoramic views of downtown San Diego up to I-5 and Point Loma Coast. The interior was further remodeled and added a new timber staircase and a large rear deck with a cable railing system.
The existing crawl space, meanwhile, was transformed into a walk-out guest suite. The landscape was also considered to maximize the site for better views and allowed square footage. Such well-crafted projects are credited not just to the team’s expert skills but also to the architect, Sam Koob. Aside from his background as a member of a family grounded in architectural work, Koob worked for an award-winning design/build/ construction company before he earned a Master’s degree from San Diego’s prestigious New School of Architecture and Design.
Nasrin A Barbee Architects Studio
12463 Rancho Bernardo Rd., # 550, San Diego, CA
A firm that won the 2017 Merit Award from San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyle, Nasrin A Barbee Architects Studio is known for designing new custom homes as well as smaller projects including renovations, kitchens, outdoor living, and entries. One example of its work is Skyridge Villino. A two-story Tuscan style home, it has a large pool in the entry court and a formal stone and wrought iron entryway.
As a home perched on a scenic hill in Poway, it has panoramic views of Lake Poway from various indoor spaces including a new sewing room addition. Nasrin A Barbee Architects Studio goes past traditional plans and specifications on every project, regardless of size. To ensure quality, the architectural team provides regular site visits which also allows for additional feedback and coordination among the team members.
JLC Architecture
337 South Cedros Ave. Suite J, Solana Beach, CA 92075
JLC Architecture’s design approach is one that is focused entirely on the client. Aside from crafting work that exhibits innovation, the dominantly contemporary homes this firm completes are the embodiment of the client’s aspirations, needs, and budget while still being sustainable, trendy, and sensitive to the site’s context.
These projects have been completed for a range of clients: families, public entities, non-profit entrepreneurs, artists, and even other builders. This client-centric design approach has allowed the firm to create several homes unique to the homeowner and firm.
Wylie Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, Inc.
15628 Thornbush Rd., Ramona, CA 92065
A firm that has been featured in numerous publications including San Diego Home/Garden and Ramona Home Journal, Wylie Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, Inc. creates appropriate buildings and spaces that exhibit a timeless quality. Whether it’s a commercial or residential project, these structures often exhibit a Mediterranean or streamlined modern look. Take the Davis Residence—this uniquely designed home complements the artistic flair of its owners. Situated on the hills of Jamul, the home takes full advantage of valley views and beautiful sunsets via unobstructed views of the Pacific.
This home also used recycled materials from the client’s family-owned recycling company. Designs like the Davis Residence are possible thanks to the experience of owner Carole Wylie. With designs that are innovative, cost-effective, and easily achievable within a prescribed construction schedule, Wylie has completed various projects including commercial office buildings, restaurants, retail shopping centers, industrial parks, and small healthcare facilities.
Prater Architects
5151 Shoreham Place, Suite #280, San Diego, CA 92122
30 years into the industry, Prater Architects is an architecture firm that deals with both commercial and residential projects but specializes in crafting residential homes. So far, its portfolio has been dominated by homes that tend to carry the modern, European Tuscan, and contemporary styles. Among its many projects, its most notable one might be the Point Loma private residence. A home designed around the owner’s extensive collection of contemporary and ethnic art, it was a 60s tract house that underwent a whole house remodel and expansion. On the second floor, you’ll find a gallery space that connects to a covered lanai with sliding glass doors that, when tucked away in their pockets, can shift into an outdoor living room with a fireplace, a bar, and beautiful coastal views.
The second floor’s entry foyer has a floating steel stairway that provides different vantage points for the large-scale art pieces in the entry tower. By retaining 50% of the house’s original exterior walls, the project’s design tactic was able to avoid the expense and time required for a coastal development permit. Projects like this have helped the firm gain a list of loyal referral clients which make up 90% of its clientele. The firm has also, not surprisingly, been featured in publications like the San Diego Union-Tribune and San Diego Home & Garden.
