Sacramento, often overshadowed by its larger California siblings like Los Angeles and San Francisco, is carving out its own identity in the world of interior architecture. With a thriving arts scene and a burgeoning tech industry, the capital city’s demand for creative and aesthetically pleasing spaces is on the rise. Eight interior architecture firms stand out for their exceptional creativity and skill in a landscape that marries historical charm with modern ambitions. This list delves into those trailblazers who are redefining spaces, one room at a time.
Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners
1715 R St, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95811
Founded in 1981, Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners is a multidisciplinary firm offering a comprehensive suite of services that include architecture, interior design, programming, and master planning. The firm has distinguished itself through its unwavering commitment to design excellence, technological creativity, responsive customer service, and environmental stewardship. It specializes in creating designs that serve functional requirements and possess aesthetic brilliance. With four decades in the business, the company has developed expertise across various architecture and planning aspects, contributing to public and private sector projects.
Central to the firm’s successful portfolio is its holistic approach, integrating various design disciplines under one roof. This assures seamless coordination, from conceptualization through execution, leading to projects delivered on time and within budget. For a firm that has been at the forefront of architectural and design services for four decades, Williams + Paddon is the go-to choice for those seeking comprehensive, sustainable, and expertly executed projects.
Kaufmann Architects
1435 Alhambra Blvd. Suite 205, Sacramento, CA 95816
In a world of architectural giants, Kaufmann Architects remains intentionally small to provide a tailored and intimate experience for its clients. Founded by Jim Bob Kaufmann in 1992, the firm specializes in residential projects, offering a one-on-one design journey that is as unique as each homeowner. With a bachelor’s degree in architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Jim Bob brings not only credentials but also three decades of industry experience.
What sets the firm apart is its expansive network of trusted homebuilders, specialty subcontractors, and artisans. This allows Kaufmann Architects to match each project with the perfect team, ensuring every detail—from custom lighting and cabinetry to countertops and kitchen appliances—is executed to the client’s taste. Despite its boutique size, the firm has a wide-ranging impact, making each home it touches a unique reflection of its owner.
AE3 Partners
11 Embarcadero West, Suite 205, Oakland, CA 94607
Specializing in a wide array of projects, from educational facilities to affordable housing, AE3 Partners holds a significant standing in the architecture and design industry. Established two decades ago, the firm has offices in New York, San Francisco, and Oakland, serving a national clientele focusing on social and environmental impact.
The firm is led by Alex Bergtraun, who holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University. Bergtraun has particularly gained recognition for his role in educational and civic projects. His expertise is complemented by the team’s diverse skills, whose credentials include LEED AP and NCARB certifications.
AE3 Partners has garnered several awards, including a Green Building Council Award and an AIA Excellence Award. Notably, it has achieved LEED Gold and Silver certifications for multiple projects. The company’s work has been highlighted in esteemed publications such as Architectural Digest and ENR New York.
Throughout its years in the business, AE3 Partners has committed to impactful and sustainable design, a dedication noted by local and national partners. This commitment to quality is evident in the firm’s finished projects and its ongoing contributions to the architectural community.
Mogavero Architects
1331 T St, Sacramento, CA 95811
Mogavero Architects has carved out a distinct reputation in pursuit of sustainable growth through infill development and renovation. Founded in 1979, the firm operates out of Sacramento, providing architectural, planning, and development services across California. Renowned for its multidisciplinary approach, the team is equipped with design, planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and community advocacy skills.
Senior Principal David Mogavero, a graduate of the State University of New York Empire State College and The Ohio State University, leads the practice. With a career spanning four decades, he is a past board member of the Environmental Council of Sacramento and the Planning and Conservation League.
The firm has received several awards, including the Gold and Silver Best in American Living Award (BALA) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and an Award of Excellence from the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Program, all within the past three years. The firm is accredited by organizations such as AIA and USGBC, with team members holding certifications like LEED AP BD+C.
The work of Mogavero Architects has been featured in various publications such as The Union and Sacramento News & Review, confirming its standing in both local and broader architectural communities.
Comstock Johnson Architects
10520 Armstrong Ave, Mather, CA 95655
With a history spanning four decades, Comstock Johnson Architects (CJA) has earned a reputation for design integrity and client-centric solutions. Established in 1982 through the merger of Don Comstock and Duane Johnson’s individual practices, CJA has expanded its footprint across eight states. The firm is now steered by principals Daniel Eriksson and Kevin Wilcox, who bring 35 and 34 years of experience, respectively.
Daniel Eriksson, a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Københavns Universitet, specializes in architectural design. Kevin Wilcox, a LEED AP certified architect, studied environmental design at UC Davis and holds an A.A. in Architecture from the College of the Redwoods. Both principals have been pivotal in advancing the firm’s multi-sector expertise, which ranges from tech and bioscience facilities to multifamily housing and private schools.
In recent years, Comstock Johnson Architects has received several accolades, including Sacramento’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2019 and a Top Project Award from the North Bay Business Journal in 2016. The firm also received an Architectural Achievement Design Award from the Tilt-Up Concrete Association. It has been featured in notable press outlets like Sacramento Business Journal and Comstock’s Magazine.
Studio Oxeye
2765 Santa Cruz Way, Sacramento, CA 95817
Studio Oxeye is a Sacramento-based, woman-owned residential architecture firm that believes buildings are frameworks for everyday stories. Founded in 2018, the firm provides full-service architectural solutions focusing on mindful, artful, and context-driven design. Gennifer Muñoz, the founder and principal of the firm, is a licensed architect in both Oregon and California with a decade of diversified experience. She holds a master’s degree in architecture from UC Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. Notably, she was elected to the AIA Central Valley Board of Directors in 2020 and chairs their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Autumn Byrd, another principal at the firm, has a decade of experience in various sectors, including K-12 education, commercial, and residential projects. She is a licensed architect in California and earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design.
In its relatively short existence, Studio Oxeye has already been featured in Where Women Create in 2022, Comstock Magazine in 2021, and Dwell Magazine in 2019. Despite being a young firm, its work has already been recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Ellis Architects
4132 C St, Sacramento, CA 95819
Established in 2007, Ellis Architects is a woman-owned, full-service architectural design firm in Sacramento, California. The firm uses tailor-made, creative approaches to architectural design, backed by a team of highly skilled professionals. With experience spanning a wide array of project types and sizes, Ellis Architects delivers personalized and thoughtful design solutions to meet various client needs.
The firm’s principal, Sarah Ellis, earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1998 and has practiced architecture in Sacramento ever since. In 2007, she founded Ellis Architects to provide a more personalized approach to a variety of project types. She is particularly passionate about housing solutions, including multifamily residences, single-family infill communities, mixed-use buildings, and custom residential developments.
The company has been featured multiple times in media outlets for its quality work. Some of these include The Sacramento Bee in 2013 and 2015, Sacramento Business Journal and Sacramento Magazine in 2015, and Environmental Protection and Sacramento Home Magazine in 2017. With 16 years of operation under its belt, Ellis Architects has proven its commitment to excellence, solidifying its reputation as a reliable and creative architectural firm in Sacramento.
