Boca Raton is one of the hottest areas to live in in America. Surrounded by beaches and blessed by amazing year-round weather, Boca homes are prime properties coveted by many Americans. Lucky residents get to enjoy the city’s waterfront parks and plentiful recreation areas. Boca is also considered one of the safest communities in Florida. For these reasons, many retirees and young professionals are picking the city as their home.
To fully take advantage of Boca Raton’s prime location, homes built in the area need excellent residential architects. Our editors have gathered 12 outstanding architects based in Florida. These architects are experts in different home styles including contemporary, modern, craftsman, and classic. In business for 5 to 40 years, each firm on this list is proud to present its collection of well-executed residential projects.
Affiniti Architects
6100 Broken Sound Pkwy NW, Suite 8, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Based in Boca Raton, Affiniti Architects is a world-class firm with projects all over America, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Specializing in estate homes, the firm has provided services for many famous athletes, top businessmen, and celebrities. Dealing with such important clients, the firm employs only the expertise of world-class interior designers. These designers ensure that clients get the home they deserve. Every residence they create is unique, investment-worthy, and timeless. With specializations in styles including contemporary, rustic, and transitional, the firm has produced stand-out homes. These homes have been featured in the pages of many publications including Florida Design, Modern Luxury, and Luxe Interiors + Design.
Established in 1983, Affiniti Architects is headed by founder Mitchell Kunik and promises a high level of professionalism and architectural correctness when dealing with client projects. The firm’s expert team is ready to guide clients from the initial phase of the process until project completion. With the direct involvement of partners in every project, quality and attention to detail are always assured. One of the firm’s top-quality projects is the Coastal Farmhouse project. Inspired by the simplicity and practicality of the farmhouse style, this luxurious waterfront home uses white color with pops of black. Located directly by the water, the property is designed with floor-to-ceiling doors and windows to take advantage of the stunning views. A private dock and an outdoor pool are present on the property, maximizing Florida’s outdoor living experience. For the excellent work on this real estate home, the firm received Silver from the 2021 Aurora Awards.
SDH Studio Architecture + Design
18200 NE 19th Avenue, Suite 100, North Miami Beach, FL 33162
Established in 2012, SDH Studio Architecture + Design wants to give clients a breathtaking design experience. By capturing each client’s individuality, the firm creates custom designs that fit a client’s lifestyle and needs. Top-notch architectural and interior design services are provided through the use of state-of-the-art technology and the creativity of its team of professionals. Its team of professionals knows that both form and function are important elements of a great design.
In creating beautiful, functional spaces, the team knows that light is crucial. A sample project that puts the use of light in the spotlight is the CAS Residence. Located in Boca Raton, this project features cantilevering terraces and glass panels allowing plenty of light to enter the home. This design creates a bright, airy home that is welcoming and warm. Situated in the waterway, the design takes elements from the site’s natural surroundings into the home. Unique accents, such as pebbles below the home’s staircase, were combined with transitioning wood and concrete materials. These features completed the home’s organic, yet modern style.
For its innovative designs, the firm has been consistently on top of the list of many publications. From 2017 to 2020, the firm has been on the Best Architects in Miami list by Expertise. Other magazines that have given the firm high scores include Ocean Home Magazine, Luxe Interiors + Design, and Miami Architect.
Behind the firm’s outstanding reputation is Stephanie Halfer, AIA, NCARB. Founder of SDH Studio Architecture + Design, Halter has architecture and interior design degrees from the Universidad Simon Bolivar and the Parsons School of Design in New York. Earning the highest honors from both schools, Halter brings excellence and professionalism into her firm.
Brenner Architecture Group
751 Park of Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Founded in 2005, Brenner Architecture Group is a three-time Prism Award winner. This recognition is proof of the company’s excellence as an architecture firm. Excellence is exhibited through its designs and architecture services as well as its customer relationships. When handling projects, the firm has a clear vision: to turn clients’ dreams into reality. Existing for over 16 years in the industry, the firm has compiled a thick portfolio that covers any home style a client can envision. High-end residential homes are right in the firm’s wheelhouse.
One of the luxury homes the firm has created is the Rocky Brook Way. Directly facing the waterway of Delray Beach, this classic house is a homeowner’s dream come true. Luxury is felt the moment you pull over the driveway: you are immediately surrounded by magnificent landscaping. The grandness of the neutral-colored home pops out through the expansive greenery and the water views bordering the property. At the back of the home, residents are treated to resort-style living thanks to a spacious outdoor pool. Magnificent terraces connect the home to its environment.
Many publications have recognized the firm’s eye for creating fabulous designs. Florida Architecture, Florida Design, Robb Report Magazine, and Luxe Magazine are some publications that have featured the firm’s projects. These stunning designs are created under the guidance of Stuart M. Brenner, AIA, NCARB. Brenner is a well-respected architect with extensive experience in estate homes, multifamily buildings, and resort projects. He is a proud alumnus of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The Benedict Bullock Group
1525 NW 3rd Street, Suite 1, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Beginning in the 90s as an expert in multifamily and tract housing, The Benedict Bullock Group has evolved into a master in luxury residential and commercial projects. Currently headed by Brian Bullock, AIA, NCARB, the firm delivers exceptional high-end residential designs responding to natural and urban contexts. Sustainability is one of the consistent elements in its designs, as Bullock is a LEED AP BD+C. Bullock has Florida Green Building Coalition accreditation and he is a graduate of Pratt Institute. Under his guidance, the firm has accomplished many projects in different parts of Florida, including Boca Raton, Miami Beach, and Delray Beach.
One of the firm’s high-end residential projects is the 434 s Maya Palm Drive home in Boca Raton. Located inside Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, the home is a display of the firm’s expertise in the transitional coastal style. Originally a Mediterranean style, the home now evokes a classic and fresh feeling brought by the transitional style. The design is effortlessly chic, achieved through the great balance of traditional and contemporary elements in the home’s 6 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms. This 6,300-square-foot residence is one of the most elegant beach homes facing Boca Raton’s spectacular waterfront.
Yoshino Architecture
6453 W Rogers Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Yoshino Architecture is a Boca Raton-based firm employing Japanese ideals and influences in its designs. In the modern era, Japanese architecture has featured cutting-edge designs that are contemporary, clean, and functional. These features are displayed in every residential and commercial project the firm handles. A sample of a contemporary residential design with Japanese influences is the Boca Raton Residence. For the project, the firm created a minimalist yet powerful design that stands out among neighboring waterfront homes. The design uses a mixture of gray and white tones that harmoniously merge with the natural context. The use of concrete shows strength. Mixed with water features, the concrete is softened and creates a homey, relaxing atmosphere.
Established in 1994, the firm’s love for Japanese ideals comes from Donald Yoshino, FAIA, NCARB. Yoshino is a California State Polytechnic University alumnus who pursued graduate studies in Japanese Architectural History at Kyoto University. Before coming back to the U.S., he handled many projects in Asia and Europe. For contributing to Japan and American cultural relations, Yoshino has received the Foreign Ministry of Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun, the Gold and Silver Rays medal.
Ames Peterson International
203 Dixie Boulevard, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Recognized by the 2019 BUILD Home and Garden Awards as the Best Residential Architecture Firm in North America, Ames Peterson International’s success has been achieved through a great partnership between Shane Ames and Shawn Peterson. Ames is a University of Cincinnati alumnus; Peterson is a graduate of ITT Technical Institute. Combining their technical expertise, Ames and Peterson give superior-quality designs and services to their clients. The firm’s inspired designs have reached over 40 states and 30 countries.
In creating its designs, the firm is highly influenced by historical context and the needs of the clients. By combining the two, the firm creates exceptional designs that are functional and suitable to each client’s lifestyle. Its wonderful designs feature a balance between traditional and modern, as well as a touch of classical that never goes out of style. With lots of experience in different countries, the firm has also adopted some European techniques and design details.
One of the firm’s European-influenced designs is the Stone Creek Ranch. Located in Boca Raton, the home features a Mediterranean style usually seen in homes in Provence, Italy. The style is tailor-fit to the Boca Raton lifestyle. The home exudes a warm, charming feeling—a good fit for a coastal home. The layout adds a great flow of air and energy to the property, with giant open arches connecting one room to another. Light easily enters through floor-to-ceiling doors and windows surround every corner of the home. This home is a classic with just the right amount of uniqueness. Thanks to its fabulous design, the home has graced the pages of American Dream Homes Magazine and Florida Design.
Diaz + Lang Architects
One West Camino Real, Suite 101A, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Established in 1981, Diaz + Lang Architects is the longest-running firm on the list. The firm has stayed strong in the industry under the supervision of husband and wife Donald Headdon Lang and Piedad Rocio “Rosie” Diaz Lang. Both AIA members, the tandem built the firm with the mission of improving people’s quality of life. They want to achieve this goal while making sure to protect the environment. Rosie Lang, LEED AP BD+C, is an expert in residential developments. Over the years, she has mastered interior architectural design, site planning, and construction documentation. She took a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development at Nova Southeastern University to aid in the firm’s continuous growth. Like Rosie, Donald is a residential development expert with licenses in Florida and Texas. He has worked with the country’s biggest developers and has accomplished more than 100,000 residential units. Donald is a proud alumnus of Auburn University.
For over 40 years, the firm has designed many homes in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Palm Beach. These homes feature different styles including contemporary, craftsman, and colonial. A sample of the firm’s expertise in contemporary style is shown in this private residence in Boca Raton. The design for this project exhibits sophistication, smart solutions, and restraint. Located right next to other neighboring homes, the property needed privacy features. Aside from surrounding the home with a fence, strategic landscaping has been used. Through trees surrounding the backyard, homeowners get to comfortably relax by the outdoor pool. For the home’s interior and exterior, clean lines, white tones, and black and wooden accents surround the home. These elements and material choices make the home what it is: simple and timeless.
Brewer Architecture
85 SE 4th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Brewer Architecture likes to push the envelope. And the firm likes to add whimsy while building functional spaces. Whether it be a residential, commercial, or mixed-use project, the firm is known to offer daring designs. The desire to go beyond the conventional is promoted by the firm’s founder, George Brewer. Opening the firm in 1992, Brewer has always been recognized as an out-of-the-box thinker. He creates new designs by being sensitive to the environment and the community. His designs are always guided by the desire to display creativity while offering a more satisfactory way of living.
Under Brewer’s guidance, the Intracoastal Residence was completed. The contemporary Boca Raton home features sliding doors fully disappearing to connect the whole house to the outdoor space. Homeowners can easily sit in the living room one moment, then find themselves swimming by the outdoor pool or lounging by the firepit the next. On the second floor, the same sliding doors fully open to the balcony. The predominant choice of glass material inside and outside the home has made the architect’s intention clear: to blur the line between outdoor and indoor.
George Brewer’s work has led to many award-winning projects and press features. Florida Decor, Luxe Magazine, and Fine Homebuilding are just some publications that have featured the firm. Brewer attended the Boston Architectural Center and worked with prominent architects and firms before starting his firm.
RWB/Linares Architecture, Inc.
1600 South Dixie Highway, Suite 400 Boca Raton, FL 33432
Richard W. Bremer, Jr. and Juan C. Linares founded RWB/Linares Architecture with a clear vision: “Architecture For You.” It’s more than a tagline. It is a guiding statement that partners Bremer and Linares make sure to follow. Through this statement, the tandem combines their creativity and technical expertise to answer client-specific demands. Bremer is an experienced architect practicing since 1991. Over the years, he has honed his expertise in different design and architectural styles. He has worked on many residential projects in different parts of the US, as well as Canada and the Bahamas. Meanwhile, Linares has been growing his portfolio since 1993. With a background in marketing and business, he is an invaluable leader of the firm. Linares and Bremer combine their experience to produce distinctive residential designs.
Such distinctive design is displayed in the 2405 project. In this project, a transitional home style takes center stage, presenting an effective merging of old and new styles. From the outside, hints of classical style are seen through the home’s symmetric, perfectly balanced façade. Yet, its overall muted tone, accentuated by a gray roof, is distinctly transitional. Muted tones are consistent indoors; personality is added through modern elements like a staircase with glass and metal railing and state-of-the-art bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
The ability to use contrasting styles is only possible through years of mastery and experience. Founded in 2001, RWB/Linares Architecture has over two decades of experience. Successfully finishing one-of-a-kind projects, the firm has been featured in the Sun-Sentinel and The Real Deal.
Barretta & Associates
658 Normandy Lane, Building N, Delray Beach, FL 33484
Running for over four decades, Barretta & Associates is a multi-disciplinary firm with a wide range of expertise. Its long list of services includes land planning, project design development, interior design and architecture, and architectural drafting. These services are available to clients in the industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential sectors throughout South Florida—including Delray Beach, Lighthouse Point, and West Palm Beach.
When it comes to residential projects, the firm is an expert in contemporary and transitional styles. One of its contemporary designs is the Peru Residence. Offering remodeling services to the house’s family room, the firm transformed the space into a modern museum. The design and architecture of the home are the art itself. The room features a compact wooden staircase, unlike most traditional designs. But the main piece of the design is the three skylights. A circular skylight is seen at the center of the living room. Small cube openings are lined up on one side, providing natural light to the staircase. The third skylight is a continuity of the glass panel entirely covering one side of the family room. Through Barreta & Associates’ expertise, an architectural marvel has been created within the home.
The firm’s expertly crafted designs are made through a collaboration of architects, designers, contract administrators, and engineers. Through their combined expertise, the firm can handle any project regardless of scale. Leading the team is James Barretta, a graduate of the University of Michigan. With Barretta in charge, the firm has impressed and satisfied many customers in South Florida.
Cosentino Architecture, Inc.
1200 N Federal Highway, Suite 200, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Established in 2007, Cosentino Architecture, Inc. has helped build many high-end luxury homes in From Port St. Lucie down to Fort Lauderdale and the Keys. These homes vary in style including contemporary, Spanish eclectic, coastal, and modern. Aside from high-end single-family residential projects, the firm’s expertise covers unique renovations, light commercial, and multifamily projects.
The firm’s relatively fast growth can be attributed to its principal, Anthony Cosentino. Anthony has over 25 years of architecture experience with a proven track record. Many clients commend Anthony on his hands-on approach, communication, reliability and simple design principles of space and form. Anthony and his team finishes projects on time and within the client’s build budget. Their expertise in high-end waterfront projects and custom single family homes is why Cosentino Architecture Inc. has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top firms in the south Florida area.
The firm recently completed this Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club Contemporary Home. This luxury home provides a tropical living experience in the heart of Boca Raton while expressing many new contemporary geometries, forms, and finishes. The residents enjoy the pool and the outdoor kitchen that is open and viewable from all the living spaces within the home which features an open living plan now desired by many clients. Details such as modern lighting fixtures, light wood flooring, ceiling details, LED lighting effects and clean sophisticated lines, finish the home beautifully.
BE Design Associates
170 East Boca Raton Road, Suite 1, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Another Boca Raton-based firm, BE Design Associates specializes in waterfront properties. Established in 2001, the firm is led by Elmar Benavente who has 20 years of experience in waterfront and celebrity estates. Benavente combines 15 years of design and management experience to deliver spectacular waterfront homes in Boca Raton and the surrounding area. The firm currently serves clients in Delray Beach, Coral Springs, Boca Pointe, and Deerfield Beach. Aside from its waterfront homes, Benavente is an expert in retail and hospitality projects. He is known for specializing in architectural interiors, building and zoning codes, building construction, and project planning.
With Benavente in the lead, BE DEsign successfully combines architectural interior with architectural design. In creating residential projects, the firm considers the materials and technologies needed while always centering the client’s goals. The firm uses the client’s vision to inspire its outstanding designs. In creating waterfront homes, taking the environment into consideration is also key. This approach is seen in the Bay Colony 51 project. The home’s design is built around the waterfront. Prominent in the design is the outdoor pool that serves as the extension of the waterway. A combination of glass and concrete was used to build a sturdy home that immerses the residents in the gorgeous surroundings.
For excellence in the field, the firm was named 2020 Regional Winner of the Luxe RED Award for Contemporary/Modern Architecture.
