Arizona is a state known for its hot climate, its deserts, and the Grand Canyon. It’s a place where people explore nature: the state offers attractions like Saguaro National Park and the Sonoran Desert. Many people take advantage of the desert environment to create a home that incorporates that desert atmosphere and a modern downtown ambiance. The hot desert sun allows many houses to take advantage of natural light. Many homes have tall glass windows that provide a beautiful aesthetic that incorporates natural light and heating, reducing the impact the house has on the environment. These firms also enable homeowners to create beautiful outdoor spaces with swimming pools, patios, lounges, and bars. Some high-end homes even use desert plants to bring a unique, local style to the house.
If you want a home this distinctive and hip, you’ll want the best firm to handle the process. This list compiles the best residential architects in Glendale. Our editorial team constructed the list after considering the accreditations, awards, features, and number of years each has been in the industry
180 Degrees Design + Build
4955 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
180 Degrees Design + Build was established by three licensed and accredited architects by the names of James Trahan, John Anderson, and Troy Vincent. All three have a proven track record with completed projects, awards, and copious experience to their name. Over the years the firm has won numerous awards like the Arizona AIA contractor of the year, Arizona AIA interior Architecture Merritt award, the Excellence in masonry architectural award, and the Builders Choice award. It has also been featured many times in the Architectural Digest, Scottsdale Magazine, Desert Living, and the Phoenix Home & Garden.
A project that exemplifies the firm’s track record is this luxurious and elegant nine-acre Stone Court villa house in Paradise Valley. Right away, it exudes a high-end, high-class lifestyle with an infinity pool, large courtyards, a fancy dining room with beautiful lighting from the tall windows and elegant chandelier, and an over-the-top living room. The walls for both the interiors and exteriors are made out of Mexican stone, including a noise-free climate control system between the walls. Some areas have minimalist black or white wooden furniture, a nice contrast from the high-end furnishing in the lounge area with the pool table and gourmet kitchen. Located in the desert, it offers beautiful views at any time of the day. Surrounded by trees, plants, and cactuses, the home creates and shapes this bright and vibrant atmosphere during the day. At night the home becomes a calm, peaceful refuge. This exercise in extravagant living is sure to make any homeowner happy.
Biegner – Murff Architects
347 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Susan Biegner is the co-owner of Biegner – Murff Architects, established in 2008. Most of the firm’s projects fall under the high-end category with elegant furnishings and high-end designs. Based in Arizona, the firm uses the landscape to improve the house’s overall appearance and structure. It adds lots of plants, patio furnishing, and courtyard furniture. The firm completes a lot of projects in the desert; it builds large tall windows allowing more natural light to brighten up the home during the day. Doing so saves energy and creates a beautiful vibrant atmosphere. The firm has been featured in 2020 Luxe and has been included in the 2020 Luxe Gold List.
This beautiful modern high-class house is a project that uses its landscape and nature to create an elegant atmosphere. The striking desert rustic exterior frames the patio, which is elegantly furnished and includes a fireplace and swimming pool. The home perfectly adapts to the time of day and the luxurious aesthetic does not come at the expense of comfort.
Douglas Fredrikson Architects
727 Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014
Douglas Fredrikson is a licensed architect who established his firm in 1996. The firm has built some of the finest establishments in Arizona: Enchantment Resort, Seven Canyons Golf Club, Grayhawk Golf Club, and Foothills Animal Rescue. They also have several award winning custom homes. Common features of their homes include bright lights, high-end furniture, and copious amenities. Its residential projects are the same and even at par with its commercial projects.
Orem Residence
This award-winning residential home in Scottsdale, Arizona, featured here, is a beautiful desert home. The landscaping of the house is especially notable. It includes an elegant swimming pool, an adjacent fireplace, and elegant seating by the pool’s stairs. The patio on the second level of the pool area offers lounge seating and beautiful views of the sunset surrounded by plants and cactuses. The luxurious interior deploys multiple wooden designs from the ceiling to the walls to the stone flooring. Other notable home features include a high-class gourmet kitchen, antique vases and artwork, a sophisticated theatre room, and balcony areas in each bedroom. The entire house uses plenty of natural light to brighten the home and there’s a giant cactus in the middle of the house. The home won the 2017 Gold Nugget Award, and the home will be the treasured possession of anyone lucky enough to own it.
Marlene Imirzian Architects
8906 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85020
Marlene Imirzian founded her firm in 1997 and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) principal. The firm has won several awards including the 2019 AIA Arizona Component Design Citation Award, the 2018 “The Sustainable Home Design Competition” Award Winner, the 2017 Arizona Forward’s 37th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards, and the 2016 AIA Western Mountain Region, Award of Merit. The firm has graced the pages of Redbook Magazine, the San Diego Business Journal, Green Living Magazine, Phoenix Business Journal, and the Phoenix Home & Garden.
This urban desert home in Phoenix is an award-winning project built back in the early 2000s. The project won the 2003 AIA Arizona Home of the Year Citation Award, the 2002 AIA Design Award, Western Mountain Region, and the 2002 Valley Forward Environmental Excellence Award. The home is a blend of desert mountain living and urban lifestyle. It includes a light stucco pavilion with ample living space; it also offers beautiful views of the desert. The lot is located on a hillside and the desert plants were retained: excavation wasn’t necessary. This sleek house incorporates natural light to brighten the atmosphere; everything about it relaxes residents and visitors.
SEAD Architects
2009 N 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Jerry Little is a licensed architect and he has built several projects in the Valley since 2004. The firm is relatively small and that allows the team to truly focus on its clients and give them that personal touch. The firm’s clients work with a single contact, fostering precise communication. Its recently completed projects are relatively modern, hip, and fun. The firm is not afraid to make full use of vibrant color palettes, large open spaces, and playful artwork.
This elegant modern hillside home is a great example of SEAD’s work. Set on a hillside, it provides gorgeous views of the mountains and desert. The exterior is simple, but you can tell it apart from other houses by the red curtains on the corner of the house. That unique choice sets the modern tone of the home. The outdoor is a massive space split into two: one area has an elegant swimming pool and the other includes a BBQ patio. The entire outdoor space connects to the living room. Another area that features unique designs is the dining area: the dining table includes a polka dot pattern on top of the wooden table.
