Boise, Idaho is a city where natural beauty meets urban charm. It’s a vibrant haven offering an eclectic mix of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and a lively food scene. Amidst its tranquil rivers, picturesque foothills, and lively downtown, you’ll find a perfect balance of serenity and excitement.
Here are eight of the finest architectural firms in Boise, Idaho, handpicked for their impressive accolades, extensive experience, and captivating portfolios. These firms are renowned for their dedication to creating exceptional spaces that harmonize with the city’s unique charm and natural surroundings, making them go-to choices for anyone seeking architectural excellence in the gem of Idaho.
CSHQA, Inc.
200 W. Broad St., Boise, ID 83702
Established in 1889, making it Idaho’s oldest architectural firm, CSHQA, Inc. has consistently dedicated itself to crafting enduring, healthy spaces. Renowned for its award-winning designs and superior service, its team of almost 100 professionals provides full-service architecture, engineering, interior and modular design, and landscape architecture.
CSHQA, Inc. holds collaboration, knowledge, creativity, integrity, and excellence as the pillars guiding its activities. This approach has resulted in the firm receiving recognition, like the City of Boise Building Excellence Award and the BOMA Building Excellence Award. Numerous press features also testify to its achievements and impact in the field, and to its 134-year track record of delivering high-quality architecture projects to Boise clients.
Cushing Terrell
800 W. Main St., Suite 800, Boise, ID 83702
A forerunner in design since its inception in 1938, Cushing Terrell champions the integration of architecture, engineering, and design. With a strong team of 450+ professionals from 30 disciplines and spanning seven markets, it offers comprehensive services from 13 offices across seven states. At its helm are Greg Matthews and Martin Byrnes, who each boast over two decades of experience at the firm, underscoring their commitment to cultivating internal talent.
From commercial interiors to complex renovations, the firm’s expansive portfolio has resulted in it receiving numerous accolades, including ranking on the Rising Giants list by Interior Design Magazine and being named as the ENR‘s Intermountain Design Firm of the Year. In all it does, it embodies a passion for developing imaginative solutions and continually improving its services. Celebrating 85 years in business, Cushing Terrell maintains its commitment to unparalleled service, ensuring that its designs truly meet the needs of its clients.
erstad Architects
310 North 5th St., Boise, ID 83702
Founded in 1998, erstad Architects is known for its dedication to design, creativity, excellence, and value. Its team of professionals has over 127 years of combined architectural experience and completes a broad and impressive range of projects, including historic renovations, urban office complexes, student centers, ski lodges, and full-service community recreation centers. From complex master plans to simple project programs, erstad Architects consistently delivers outstanding design solutions.
Founder Andrew Erstad, with over 25 years of national and international experience, leads a dedicated team. This has led the firm to be recognized multiple times, winning awards such as the BOMA Best Overall Project and the Idaho Smart Growth Grow Smart Award. The firm’s industry reputation is further reflected in its affiliations with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the US Green Building Council (USGBC), as these affiliations underscore its commitment to industry best practices.
Insight Architects, P.A.
2238 S. Broadway Ave., Boise, ID 83706
Established in 2002, Insight Architects, P.A. has cultivated an architectural practice rooted in collaboration and expertise. Russ Phillips and Dana Kauffman, both esteemed members of the AIA, joined forces to establish this remarkable architectural firm. Dana Kauffman brings an additional accolade as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP), showcasing the firm’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. With their combined experience spanning back to 1977, they possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise that forms the bedrock of the firm’s impressive portfolio. Under their leadership, the firm is associated with AIA, reflecting their commitment to upholding industry standards.
RiveRidge Engineering Building Exterior.
The firm’s operations are based on a “studio” model, where dynamic teams of architects and interns collaborate to respond to each project’s unique requirements. Meanwhile, the firm uses an approach where design excellence is achieved through the principals’ active involvement in all projects, ensuring quality control and frequent client contact. The rest of the team is predominantly experienced and licensed architects.
Glancey Rockwell & Associates
1257 W. River St., Suite 110, Boise, ID 83702
Established in 2001, Glancey Rockwell & Associates is a comprehensive architectural and design firm offering services to public and private clients. Specializing in commercial, residential, and industrial buildings, it applies the core values of thorough communication, excellent teamwork, and inclusive stakeholder participation to all its projects. This work spans various states, including Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Oregon, and Nevada.
The firm is led by Principal Architects James Glancey, Ryan McColly, and David Glancey. Each Principal Architect brings unique skills and experiences to the firm, including LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C) credentials, involvement in diverse project types, and dedication to preserving historical architecture. Their leadership has earned the firm notable awards and acknowledgments from esteemed institutions, such as the Boise Building Excellence Award. The firm’s long-standing presence in press outlets further highlights its influence in the architectural field.
Pivot North Architecture
116 South 6th St., Boise, ID 83702
Pivot North Architecture, a Boise-based firm established in 2016, leverages its team’s diverse expertise to provide comprehensive design services, including architecture, planning, interior design, and sustainable design. It embraces a collaborative and team-oriented creative process that reflects its belief in the importance of dialogue and active listening in shaping each project’s success.
Its principals, Clint Sievers, Gary Sorensen, and John King, bring substantial industry experience to the firm, with distinctive specialties ranging from k-12 education and civic architecture to multiphase healthcare projects. Their combined credentials, which include National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) certification, LEED AP BD+C accreditation, and membership in the AIA, add to the firm’s solid reputation. Under their watch, the firm’s projects have been highlighted in various press features, reinforcing its influence in the architectural field.
Studio Boise, LLC
231 Warm Springs Ave., Boise, ID 83712
Founded in Boise in 2012, Studio Boise, LLC is a residential design firm that artfully blends functionality and sustainability with aesthetic appeal. Specializing in remodels and new homes, it meticulously tailors each design to align with the homeowner’s unique lifestyle. The firm’s expertise extends from initial site selection to detailed construction documents to builder selection, allowing the firm to give clients comprehensive guidance throughout the entirety of the process.
In recognition of its leadership in innovative design, Studio Boise, LLC was the recipient of the City of Boise Excellence in Design Award in 2020. It is also accredited as a LEED AP and by Think Boise First, in addition to being featured in publications such as Dwell. Its enduring reputation over the past 11 years testifies to the caliber and consistency of its team’s work.
