Bakersfield is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US. It’s home to some of the region’s best known historic sites: many are recognized by the National Registry of Historic Places, as well as state-level and municipal-level historic institutions. The city’s rich history and its dynamic cultural scene are complemented by its stunning residences, with many homes inspired by the majestic architectures of the Mediterranean and Old World Spain.
We wanted to tell you about the top three residential architects in Bakersfield. The firms included here are either based in the city or have completed multiple projects in the area. To construct the list, our editorial team considered the experience and background of each of the firm’s principal architects and designers, the number of projects that they have completed in the city, and the awards, press features, and industry recognitions that these companies have acquired over the years. We also looked at the testimonials and reviews from the firms’ clients and partners.
Golden Empire Design
1201 24th St., Suite B110-200, Bakersfield, CA 93301
At the center of Golden Empire Design’s practice is the belief that clients always come first. Regardless of the project’s size, value, or complexity, directly responding to the needs and desires of the project owner is the priority. The firm understands that architecture was never about the designer: it has always been about curating, conceptualizing, and realizing unforgettable and timeless spaces for the homeowners who will interact and use this architecture for the rest of their lives.
The firm’s profound approach to design and client satisfaction has helped it establish a loyal client base, especially from the financial, commercial, and residential sectors. Founded by Arin Resnicke, a member of the American Institute of Architect (AIA) and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), the company has produced numerous exciting single-family and multifamily home designs for Bakersfield’s residential project owners and developers.
The company may be a small, local architecture firm but its capability as a residential and commercial architect shouldn’t be underestimated. Since the firm’s inception in 2003, it has completed hundreds of projects across the country. The firm serves California but it also takes on architectural commissions for homeowners and business owners from Arizona, Idaho, and Texas, everywhere from the edge of Mexico to the Canadian border.
Skarphol Associates
25 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
As a full-service design firm, Skarphol Associates is an innovative company that takes advantage of the latest in design and construction technologies to deliver a comprehensive practice that covers programming, site planning, space planning, furniture specification, and most importantly, architecture design services for the commercial, medical, and residential markets.
As one of the leading local design firms in Bakersfield, the firm has helped shape the city’s architectural landscape. Its portfolio of residential spaces celebrates the elegance of Mediterranean and Spanish architecture while incorporating innovation and function to create practical and high-performing spaces that cater to the homeowner’s modern lifestyle. Throughout its years of practice, the firm has also delivered numerous stunning projects across Seven Oaks and Rio Bravo.
Paul Skarphol, a licensed architect, established the company over 30 years ago. Skarphol’s decades of design practice and his long list of successful projects have helped the firm gain the trust of clients and building partners from a wide array of sectors. That solid reputation allowed the firm to establish lifelong relationships with project owners to complete a portfolio of large, multi-story projects. Included in its list of accomplishments are custom residential design commissions, tenant improvements, as well as highly technical and complex designs for manufacturing and medical facilities.
studio.
Tehachapi, CA 93561
Serving all of Southern California, studio. is a highly acclaimed architectural firm that offers a comprehensive list of design services to the residential and commercial markets in Tehachapi, Bakersfield, and Antelope Valley. Since its inception in 2003, studio. has completed new home construction design projects, remodeling projects, landscaping designs, and interior design commissions across the region. California Home+Design, The Boca Raton Observer, and Dwell have documented many of the company’s unforgettable projects.
The firm’s success can be attributed to the innovation and experience of its founder and principal designer, Randy Weinstein. With a degree in Architecture, Weinstein joined the industry in 1998 and has honed his skills working side by side with some of the biggest names in California’s architectural scene. After starting his own practice years later, Randy soon caught the attention of the design community and appeared in several episodes in the real estate and home improvement channel, HGTV.
Aside from the company’s achievements as a designer in the commercial sector, the firm is also a respected figure in the commercial scene. Multifamily housing developers and investors, celebrities, as well as local and national business owners have relied on the firm’s innovative and high-performing design solutions to complete some of the region’s most iconic spaces. One of the firm’s most notable clients for the commercial sector is the coffeehouse and roastery chain Starbucks, which commissioned the company to design its first drive-thru store in the region.
