The Best Residential Architects and Designers in Orange, California

Situated in Orange County, Orange’s residential architecture landscape is unique in that it has an area dedicated to historic homes. Better known as its “Old Town District,” homes in this area were built before the 1920s and Orange is the only city in the area to have decided to retain them rather than destroying them during the ‘60s. Orange’s most popular home styles include craftsman bungalows, hip roof cottages, arts and crafts movement inspired estates, classic Spanish Colonial revivals, and several other Mediterranean and Victorian themed architectural styles.

This list compiles 5 of the best residential architects in Orange. They were chosen based on work history, affiliations, and previous projects. Several of these firms offer unique services and incorporate innovative solutions into their designs that they offer exclusively. The firms on this list are the architects behind some of the area’s most recognizable and award-winning homes.

This list includes both licensed architects and residential designers who can both design stunning homes but differ in other services offered. Architects are trained in design, engineering, and project management and have passed a licensing exam. Residential designers typically don’t manage projects and plans will need to be approved by a structural engineer. Whether you choose to hire an architect or a residential designer will depend on your project needs and complexity.

If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

DSEA

145 S Olive St., Orange, CA 92866

Founded in 1999, DSEA offers a full range of architectural services. The firm is headquartered in the Old Towne Orange Historic-Commercial District and primarily works on project management, planning, design, and quality assurance projects. The team is noted for its ability to use design solutions that will readily meet a client’s future needs. In addition to its residential work, the firm has also worked on several educational, childcare, institutional, retail, and commercial projects. As for its designs, the firm specializes in both traditional and contemporary themes best exhibited by the featured project.

For this home, the client wanted a large home reminiscent of a storybook cottage. The end result was this Queen Anne and Victorian-inspired home built on a tri-level 2,600 square foot space. It also features an apartment duplex from behind and is situated atop a sloping hill overlooking Orange County.

Home Design Architects

2501 N Hartman St., Orange, CA 92865

With over three decades of experience in architecture and interior design, Home Design Architects extends its services throughout Southern California and handles every phase of a project. The firm has worked on numerous high-end luxury homes, in addition to more modest remodels and additions. It has also done everything from furniture design to land planning, and on occasion, larger commercial projects.

Their firm philosophy is “Every home should tell a story…Let us help you tell yours” . This thought behind their unique approach to design and enables them to help their clients from site feasibility to the final nitty-gritty of selecting colors and materials.

Its team also uses the latest state-of-the-art technology, crafting 3D digital models for each of its projects. These interactive models allow clients to “walk through” their future homes before construction even begins.

The firm’s best work can be seen in the project pictured above. Located on a hilltop in San Luis Obispo, this completely remodeled 70’s home offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and features clean, contemporary interiors. The original home’s multiple downward sloping roofs were replaced with a large single roof tilting upward to the views. The many small interior levels, were brought together into three spacious platforms, each with its own character and purpose. Much more than a remodel, this project reimagined the existing house to be the home that the clients had always imagined.

McClean Design

190 S Glassell St. #203, Orange, CA 92866

Established in 2000, McClean Design has since grown into one of the most recognizable residential design firms in Los Angeles. The firm is led by its founder, Paul McClean, an experienced architect who trained in Ireland. Under his leadership, the firm has been featured in publications like Modern luxury Magazine, Luxe, and Harmonies. The firm’s work is distinguished by its sustainable elements and a thorough command of contemporary themes. Its designs are often accentuated by straight, clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows and entryways, glass panels, and open floor plans. For these excellent projects and services, the firm has been decorated with numerous noteworthy awards throughout its years in service. Some of its most impressive distinctions include the 2019 Luxe Red Award for its contemporary architecture and two awards from the American Insitute of Architects (AIA) for its residential designs.

Situated on a lot spanning over 31,000 square feet, the featured project was completed last April 2013 and is owned by an art collector. The design highlights the vast garden and surrounding environment. To cancel out the noise coming in from the outside, it features high walls and a curved glass wall which leads to a waterfall and an infinity-edge decorative pool. Inside, there is a formal dining room, a floating glass staircase, a media room, four bedrooms, and one master bedroom suite with a terrace glass floor.

Secoy Architects

160 S Cypress St., Orange, CA 92866

Secoy Architects was founded in 1996 by its principal and namesake Susan Secoy Jensen, an architect with an extensive range of industry experience. Prior to her establishment of the firm, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy and has served as chairperson to a variety of vital industry organizations. Some of these include the City of Range Design Review Committee and the City of Palm Springs Architectural Advisory Committee. She also acted as a consulting architect for the Three Arch Bay Association and as part of the board of directors for the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation. With the help of her close supervision, the firm has been distinguished with numerous preservation awards and distinctions from the AIA. The firm has also been privileged with having been featured in television shows like HGTV’s “You live In What?” and publications like Home Magazine and Riviera Magazine.

The firm’s designs are dictated by Susan’s vision and her experience which encompasses mid-century modern designs and adaptive reuse projects. The firm also takes on commercial work and historic renovations. The chosen project below is one of the first homes to be built in the iconic Southridge area. It features a simple California ranch style theme coupled with several minimalist elements. Its design emphasizes and embraces its landscape, a seamless incorporation of interior and exterior further emphasized by its neutral color palette.

Stratos Form

275 S Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866

Stratos Form has been in the industry since 1998 and serves the entire Southern California region. It handles every facet of a project from site and space planning to schematic designs, furniture selection, and artful solutions. The firm is capable of historic preservations and adaptive re-use projects. Its process emphasizes the importance of considering social concerns, and clients can expect wholesome and turnkey solutions when working with the firm.

Rick Fox has been in the industry since 1980. Prior to his establishment of the firm, he served as Vice President of an Orange County-based design-build firm for over a decade before deciding to branch out on his own with Stratos. Under his leadership, the firm has had its work published in various magazines such as Cottages and Bungalows Magazine and This Old House.

The featured project was constructed on a steeply sloping site and features several terraces to allow easier access through its various spaces. Inside it has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. For this project, the firm’s team opted for a classic Spanish revival theme and made use of terracotta roofs and stucco exteriors.

How can I find a Residential Architect near me?

Read our latest articles on the best Residential Architects in and near Orange, CA. If you don’t see your city below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.

Best Residential Architects in Irvine

Best Residential Architects in Huntington Beach

Best Residential Architects in Anaheim

About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.