Located in Orange County, Costa Mesa has been repeatedly ranked as one of the healthiest and most livable cities in the country. It is known for its beautiful outdoors, breathtaking scenery, and, true to California architecture—its sprawling Spanish villas and contemporary estates.
This list compiles 15 of the best residential architects responsible for some of the most beautiful homes in Costa Mesa. These firms were chosen after we considered a number of firms in the area: we looked at factors like work history, professional affiliations, press features, and the overall merit of company portfolios.
Avalon Architectural
18006 Sky Park Circle Suite #100, Irvine, CA 92614
With features in publications like Luxe and California Homes, Avalon Architectural is a luxury high-end architectural firm specializing in a variety of intricate designs. Aside from its residential work, it also takes on commercial and multi-family architectural projects. The firm also provides master planning services that are noted for the team’s utilization of both creative and highly functional approaches. The firm often collaborates with Fleetwood Joiner for its master planning projects, a partnership that has established relationships with several important government agencies.
Located in Corona del Mar, the chosen project above is an open planned modern home. It features extravagant indoor and outdoor spaces, magnificent harbor views, and several glass walls. This home was also featured on the cover of Luxe Magazine.
Bassenian Lagoni
2031 Orchard Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Bassenian Lagoni offers not only architecture, but also interior design and planning services. Its team is comprised of a group of creative and responsive professionals, noted for their skill and expertise. The firm operates out of its office in Newport Beach and also has a branch in Shanghai, China. It is the proud recipient of various awards, including several Best in American Living and Gold Nugget distinctions. It has also been lauded with multiple national accolades from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The firm’s designs are long-lasting and noted to be crafted with the use of innovative and exceptional solutions. The chosen project above won the firm a Home of the Year distinction from the Gold Nugget Awards. It features a modern craftsman style, further accentuated by its choice of straight lines and open areas.
Brandon Architects
151 Kalmus Dr., Suite G-1, Costa Mesa, CA
Brandon Architects assists its clients throughout the entire process from inception all the way through to completion. It begins its approach by thoroughly researching a project’s specific demands and potential problems. It makes use of the best and latest industry technology to perfectly visualize a home before it is constructed. This is achieved through the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), which aids the team in preparing accurate 3D models to build a home in its entirety virtually prior to breaking ground. The firm has worked on over 180 homes since its inception. These include not only single-family residences, but also multi-family, commercial, and hospitality building projects.
Completed somewhere in the Newport Peninsula, the chosen project above is dubbed as “River.” It is a modern beach escape that makes use of large windows and entryways so as to maximize the home’s wonderful views. Its sandstone exteriors match the wood of nearby Newport Beach’s pier, keeping true to its coastal theme. Its third-floor deck contains several entertainment spaces while its interiors showcase a flowing and open floorplan, seamlessly connecting with its outdoor spaces.
Brion Jeannette Architecture
470 Old Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663
Recognized both nationally and internationally, Brion Jeannette Architecture has secured a solid reputation for itself for its world-famous and award-winning residences. Its portfolio showcases a variety of sprawling estates, with designs ranging from contemporary and Cape Cod themes to other various challenging and classic European designs. These include ornate Italian villas and Mediterranean mansions. It has also worked on several mid-century modern homes and Asian-inspired retreats. The firm is manned by a group of skilled craftsmen who work closely on each of the firm’s projects from making handmade drawings into 3D rendered plans.
The firm’s work has been featured in publications such as Coast, California Homes, and Design OC. The chosen project above was commissioned by a client from Irvine. It displays a Tuscan-French inspired design courtesy of the firm. It was constructed by Corbin Reeves Construction in 2015 and features several custom-built features, state-of-the-art amenities, and materials imported from Italy.
David Pierce Hohmann Architect
151 Kalmus Dr. Suite E-201, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, David Pierce Hohmann has been in the industry since 1989. It is led by its founder and namesake, who prior to his establishment of the firm had been working as an architect for over two decades. With the aid of this extensive experience, he has led his firm’s team into designing some of the firm’s most distinctive projects. Further, under his leadership, the firm has been published in magazines with the likes of the Los Angeles Times and Luxe Magazine. Given its long run in the industry, the firm has secured relationships with some of Orange County’s best contractors and builders, enabling them to make sure that all of their projects are crafted with their exact vision in mind.
The firm offers a full range of services and is capable of taking on any projects regardless of size and scale. As a matter of fact, its portfolio displays several intricate and beautiful Italian and Mediterranean inspired estates and villas. Pictured above is one of the firm’s best homes. Spanning over 5,500 square feet of living space, it was built with the use of an open floor plan and a combination of contemporary interiors with traditional exteriors.
EBTA Architects
17871 Mitchell N Suite #150, Irvine, CA 92614
EBTA Architects is an award-winning architectural firm with over three decades of industry experience. It is led by its principals Amat Tajudin, Carlos Elenes, and John Ilkcagla, all of whom are experienced architects with rich backgrounds in high-end custom residential and commercial design. Together, they offer a full range of architectural services at the highest level of craftsmanship. That said, because of their experience and leadership, the firm has established itself as an expert for quite a variety of designs. Its work is distinguished by its authenticity and the team’s attention to detail and talent for style specifics. This can be best observed in its Tuscan and Spanish Revival themes.
Unlike most firms on this list, the firm not only serves areas in California, but also select places in Hawaii, Texas, Los Cabos, the United Arab Emirates, and Shanghai. The firm is a proud recipient of various awards from publications like Luxe and award-giving bodies such as Gold Nugget. Called the “Needlegrass,” by the team, the chosen home above was designed with the concept of multiple courtyards in mind. It is reminiscent of classic French countryside homes and allows for connectivity between its indoor and outdoor spaces.
Hannouche Architects
20250 SW Acacia St. Suite #145, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Hannouche Architects is a nationally-recognized and awarded firm with completed projects in both the United States and Canada. That said, it has secured a solid reputation for itself as a leader in creative and innovative solutions. Its portfolio depicts an extensive array of varying designs ranging from attached housing, a popular choice for first-time buyers, and wonderful single-family residences, which include several best selling projects and sprawling estates.
The firm is the proud recipient of various industry awards from award shows such as Gold Nugget. It has also been featured in publications like the Los Angeles Times, Professional Builder, and Builder Magazine. The featured project above depicts one of its modern Spanish villas, which displays an infusion of both modern and classic elements.
JZMK Partners
3080 Bristol St. Suite #650 Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Recognized both locally and internationally, JZMK Partners is an award-winning architectural and urban planning company. It is known for its projects’ long-term value and innovative qualities. Aside from its single-family homes, it has also taken on numerous multi-family housing and luxury resort projects. Its experienced team closely works with its clients throughout the entire process and ensures that its plans are sensitive to a home’s environments and specific community needs.
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, the pictured project above spans around 5,000 square feet and is primarily Andalusia-inspired. It makes use of rich tones, clay tile roofs, and wrought iron for a bit of a rustic touch.
Mark Scheurer Architect
20250 Acacia St. Suite #260, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Headquartered in Newport Beach, Mark Scheurer Architect is composed of a team of talented professionals whose skill and expertise have enabled the firm to become a trailblazer in both the single-family residential and luxury resort architecture. It has been in the industry for over two decades and has since been recognized with multiple vital industry awards. The firm has worked on numerous projects outside of California all over the country and abroad, having also been recognized in prestigious communities in China. Its portfolio displays a variety of meticulously made master-planned communities and luxury residences.
The firm is led by its namesake Mark Scheurer together with David Cain. Prior to his establishment of the firm, Scheurer had been an award-winning architect with over 20 years of experience. He is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and is in charge of overseeing all of the firm’s projects coming in their Newport office. David Cain, on the other hand, handles complex projects as well as land planning and project designs. Like Scheurer, he has years of experience and has a family history deeply rooted in the building.
Newman Garrison + Partners
3100 Bristol St. Suite #400, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Newman Garrison + Partners services a variety of states and operates out of its base in Costa Mesa. It offers its clients over three decades of design experience and is manned by a group of renowned and celebrated architects and designers. It offers a full range of services and is noted for its excellent lifestyle and outdoor entertainment spaces. Given this extensive and impressive background, it comes as no surprise that the firm is the recipient of numerous industry awards from Gold Nugget and the NAHB.
Chosen above is one of the firm’s best projects. Located in Calabasas, this home won the firm several Best in American living distinctions. Its design shows a combination of English Cottage, Tuscan, and Spanish Colonial architecture. Spanning roughly around 25 acres, this home features five bedrooms, a private courtyard, and a dramatic entry rotunda.
Shubin Donaldson
32 Executive Park Suite #115, Irvine, CA 92614
Shubin Donaldson commits itself to innovative and creative solutions. It makes use of a highly-collaborative approach and works on both commercial and residential projects. The firm has been in the industry since 1991 and has been awarded numerous awards. Some of these include the Westside Urban Forum Merit Award and several other distinctions from the AIA.
Completed in 2018, the featured project is the Tramonto Residence. It is located in the foothills of the Pacific Palisades and is a single-family home designed with a contemporary layout. The firm’s team maximized the home’s lot and surrounding environment and employed large open spaces so as to make use of the home’s overlooking views of the canyon, the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains, and the California coastline meeting the Pacific Ocean. The home challenged the firm with terracing several portions of the home into parts of the hillside.
Teale Architecture
2900 Bristol St. Bldg A Suite #203, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Led by its namesake, Teale Architecture specializes in a variety of architectural themes including a variety of contemporary and modern styles, in addition to select traditional and Mediterranean architecture. Its designs are most notably distinguished by its team’s excellent command of some of the most intricate and demanding designs. For these, it has been recognized by a variety of organizations and publications which include Architectural Digest and Home Bunch. The firm also employs the latest industry technology and techniques.
Teale makes use of 3D imagery to better assist homeowners visualize their future homes. The firm does this with both its exteriors and interiors, which allows clients a panoramic view of their computer aided drawings with 3D goggles for a better experience.
Urban Arena
3195 Red Hill Ave. Loft F, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Urban Area primarily focuses on three areas: residential architecture, landscape design, and architectural planning. It describes itself as a collective of professionals geared towards combining a variety of disciplines into a single comprehensive solution for each of its clients. It has been in business since 1996 and was established by Michael Schrock, who solidified a partnership with Keith Mittemeyer the following year, furthering the firm’s capabilities and talents. The firm has offices in Orange County, San Diego, Oakland, and Northern Virginia and services the entirety of these places along with the areas surrounding them.
Located in Covenant Hills, the following project best showcases the firm’s expertise. The home showcases Urban Arena’s skill for French Country architecture, as seen in its curved arches, shutter details, soft lines, and stonework.
Vulkan Architects
155 Rochester St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Vulkan Architects specializes in both commercial and residential projects. It offers a full range of architectural services and displays a portfolio of numerous high-end luxury homes, resorts, and upscale mixed-use projects. It maintains high standards and makes use of an elaborate process that stresses the importance of incorporating each of its client’s lifestyles and needs into its designs. The firm’s team assists with every aspect of the process, from managing construction documents to working on other elements such as zoning and permit processing.
Named “Morning Star,” the depicted project above features a soft contemporary design. Every room in this home was maximized to accommodate its lot’s nearby cinematic views. It features several sustainable elements and has its own automated home system that is connected to a roof-integrated solar electric system, energy monitoring and control systems, and indoor air filtration system.
Wolf Design Studio
3001 Red Hill Ave. Suite #4-215, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Wolf Design Studio is an award-winning firm that extends its services throughout Southern California. Its portfolio includes numerous homes that have been distinguished by prestigious organizations and publications. That said, its team has had the privilege of working in some of California’s most sought after communities and prime areas. These include some of the most luxurious homes in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach. Several of the firm’s homes have also been featured in television. Wolf Design Studio’s thoughtful designs and plans veer away from outdated and overused methods and work towards more innovative and contemporary approaches.
Its team is known for its ability to maximizing space, as well as its careful consideration of the Southern California landscape. To add to this, its modern and sleek designs are often described as capable of blurring the line between nature and space. This can be best seen in the chosen modern mansion above. For this 6,200 square foot home featured in Architectural Digest and Curbed LA, the firm’s team opted for large windows to allow in a generous amount of ambient light and an open floorplan.
