The suburban city of Santee is home to over 58,081 residents. The small town atmosphere, safe neighborhoods, family-friendly parks, and 2 strong school districts make Santee an ideal place to live for growing families.
For families looking to reside in this area and build their dream homes, it’s essential to know the best residential architects in Santee. This list includes firms with impressive backgrounds and years of experience in the industry. Most of them have received awards for residential projects and have been featured in publications.
Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects
363 Fifth Avenue, Suite #202, San Diego, CA 92101
Established in 1980, Roesling Nakamura Terada (RNT) Architects provides architectural services to Japan, China, California, and much of the American West. The firm aims to design meaningful spaces while considering the elements of culture, quality of life, and human habitation. RNT Architects work closely with its clients to achieve a better understanding of their needs and lifestyle.
One of the principals is Kotaro; he received his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Tama Art University and a master’s degree in Environmental Design from San Diego State University (SDSU). Nakamura has over 40 years of experience in architectural design. He’s currently an interim director and professor at the School of Art + Design at SDSU. His co-founder, Chikako Terada—a Leadership in Energy and Environment Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) —also obtained his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Tama Art University and a master’s degree in Environmental Design from SDSU. The third co-founder is Ralph Roesling—LEED AP, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), and a graduate of a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Arizona State University.
RNT Architects is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Merit Award in 2001 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Diego and the Home of the Year Award from San Diego Home and Garden in 1991, 1992, 1995, and 2006. The firm has been featured in The San Diego Union-Tribune, Times of San Diego, and San Diego Metro Magazine.
One of their notable projects is the Lundby Residences, located in Solana Beach. The 3,400-square-foot residence is a remodel project that focused on reconstructing a single-story space into a modern, sustainable home. The reconstruction involved an additional great room, kitchen, office loft, and a new master’s bedroom wing. The home design features natural ventilation and daylight for minimal energy use. The building materials used for the project were multicolored wood, exposed steel, concrete masonry, and concrete.
Hauck Architecture
4888 Ronson Court, Suite F, San Diego, CA 92111
Hauck Architecture is a San Diego-based full-service architectural firm that started in 2007. The firm focuses on commercial, hospitality, and residential projects and provides thoughtful, functional design for all types of projects.
Hauck Architecture’s principal and founder, T. Dustin Hauck, AIA, LEED AP, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), Building Design and Construction (BD+C), received his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Drury University. Hauck has over 22 years of experience and is a licensed architect in Arizona, California, Florida, and six other states. Hauck Architecture was featured in Eater San Diego, Times of San Diego, and San Diego Reader.
One of the firm’s well-known projects is the La Jolla Cape Cod — a private residential home in La Jolla. The project involved remodeling the space into a Cape-Cod theme hillside home with a swimming pool, sports court, and fire pit.
H2 Hawkins & Hawkins Architects, Inc.
726 9th Avenue, Suite #1, San Diego, CA 92101
Founded in 1998 by brothers David and Steven Hawkins, H2 Hawkins & Hawkins Architects is a client-focused firm that specializes in mixed-use, residential, and commercial projects. Some of the services the firm offers include master planning, programming, feasibility studies, and construction management.
David Hawkins, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, has over 28 years of experience in the industry. He finished his bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Arizona State University. His brother and co-founder, Steven Hawkins, AIA, has over 24 years of experience in the architectural industry.
H2 Hawkins & Hawkins Architects was given a variety of awards, including the Award of Merit for Best Custom Home Under 4,500-square-foot from the 1993 Pacific Coast Building Conference (PCBC) Gold Nugget Awards. They also received the Award of Merit for Best Renovated, Restored, or Remodeled Residential Project or Single Home from the 1999 PCBC Gold Nugget Awards. The firm has been mentioned in publications like The San Diego Union-Tribune and NBC 7 San Diego.
The firm is known for its construction of the Haimsohn Residence in La Jolla. The project won Home of the Year from Décor & Style and the Professional Builder Best of American Remodels Merit Award. The 4,550-square-foot contemporary beach cottage is located in Windansea Beach. The design was meant to adhere to the owner’s lifestyle and features a comfortable, casual, livable beach home. The development blends traditional materials using wood lapped siding, painted brick, and cedar shingles with a white-on-white color scheme.
Ten Seventy Architecture
4411 30th Street, Suite #202, San Diego, CA 92116
The San Diego-based architecture + design studio, Ten Seventy Architecture focuses on modern architecture by offering an integrated design and permitting process. The firm opened in 2011 and believes that strong conceptual development will produce a functional, efficient, and beautiful construction project.
The firm’s principal, Sean Canning, LEED AP, has over 14 years of architectural experience. Canning finished his bachelor’s degree in Architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and received certification in Project Management from SDSU.
Ten Seventy Architecture constructed The Crest Residence — located in Mission Bay. The development features a minimalist theme — as seen in the front façade, as well as the interior and backyard view. The layout of the home frames the amazing view of Mission Bay. With the large western roof cantilevers shading the large retractable glass doors, the space retains a cool atmosphere.
To learn more, you can visit their website here.
Starck Architecture + Planning
2045 Kettner Boulevard, Suite #100, San Diego, CA 92101
The small architectural studio, Starck Architecture + Planning (SA+P) is home to a skilled and creative team that specializes in residential and mixed-use projects. The firm has built a strong reputation for its ability to develop impressive designs while considering the client’s needs and the current market conditions.
Jamie Starck is the firm’s president; he has over 25 years of experience in architecture. He received his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in Architecture in Solar Technology from Arizona State University.
Starck Architecture + Planning was given the 2007 Laurel Award for the Silversage at Lake Hills Reserve and the 2004 Award of Merit from PCBC Gold Nugget. It was also mentioned in San Diego Union-Tribune in 2018.
Eaton Beach is one of the firm’s well-received projects; it was finished in 2015. The project is a large coastal beige one-story residential space with siding on a gable roof. The interior features a contemporary-themed living room, kitchen, and bathroom.
