In contrast to many cities, San Francisco’s most iconic construction will not be a constructing however a bridge. Whereas the Golden Gate looms massive in common tradition, it casts a shadow over among the hilly metropolis’s extra iconic buildings. Likewise, though bay home windows might rival the bridge’s iconic standing, the town’s eclectic mixture of Queen Anne and Victorian houses with fashionable structure is much less typically remarked upon as noteworthy in and of itself. But, designing and constructing with heritage in thoughts is only one of many challenges that the town’s architects rise to in any design (steep hills and a meandering waterfront representing different distinguished hurdles).
As Silicon Valley has grown, making property costs skyrocket, architects are more and more pressed to handle rising inequality and the inexpensive housing disaster. On the identical time, they’ve responded to the expansion of wealth and enterprise by designing campuses, places of work, masterplans and the like. The city points that San Francisco faces are each daunting and complicated, however the excessive caliber of native companies makes the town nicely suited to rise to the event.
With so many structure companies to select from, it’s difficult for purchasers to establish the business leaders that will probably be a perfect match for his or her venture wants. Luckily, Architizer is ready to present steering on the highest design companies in San Francisco based mostly on greater than a decade of knowledge and business data.
How are these structure companies ranked?
The next rating has been created based on key statistics that exhibit every agency’s degree of architectural excellence. The next metrics have been collected to ascertain every structure agency’s rating, so as of precedence:
- The variety of A+Awards gained (2013 to 2022)
- The variety of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2022)
- The variety of initiatives chosen as “Undertaking of the Day” (2009 to 2022)
- The variety of initiatives chosen as “Featured Undertaking” (2009 to 2022)
- The variety of initiatives uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2022)
Every of those metrics is defined in additional element on the foot of this text. This rating record will probably be up to date yearly, bearing in mind new achievements of San Francisco structure companies all year long.
With out additional ado, listed here are the 18 finest structure companies in San Francisco:
18. Studio Sarah Willmer, Structure
“What makes my work extra inventive is infusing a shopper’s concepts with my data of space-making. The collaboration with the shopper creates a extra dynamic answer.” – Sarah Willmer, Founder & Principal, Studio Sarah Willmer
Studio Sarah Willmer Structure is an award-winning nationally and internationally revealed structure and interiors agency based mostly in San Francisco. The first premise of the studio is a robust perception that collaboration with the shopper creates a extra dynamic and distinctive design answer for every venture. The ideas of simplicity, of spaciousness and lightweight, of synthesis and performance are realized in every venture. Three principals information the design course of with every shopper: the constructing’s construction as a main expression of area, the management and infusion of pure gentle, and an environmentally delicate and stylish materials palette.
A few of Studio Sarah Willmer, Structure’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Atlassian II Places of work , San Francisco, CA, United States
- Skagit River Home, Skagit County, WA, United States
- Two-Approach Home, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Sonoma Retreat, Healdsburg, CA, United States
- Precita Park, San Francisco, CA, United States
The next statistics helped Studio Sarah Willmer, Structure obtain 18th place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 1 |
Featured Initiatives | 1 |
Complete Initiatives | 6 |
17. Architectural Sources Group, Inc
Bruce D. Judd, FAIA and Stephen J. Farneth, FAIA, LEED AP, launched Architectural Sources Group in 1980 with the idea that historic buildings performed an vital and persevering with function in our cities and our lives.From small beginnings in a front room with a desk and a espresso pot, ARG has grown to a 50-person agency with a nationwide presence and is answerable for reinvigorating a few of California’s iconic buildings and websites. Headquartered in San Francisco, ARG has places of work in Los Angeles, California and Portland, Oregon. In 2006, the American Institute of Architects California Council awarded ARG as Agency of the 12 months, the best honor AIACC bestows on an structure agency. We now have all the time been desirous about designing significant locations for folks.
A few of Architectural Sources Group, Inc’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Kistler Vineyards Barn, Sonoma County, CA, United States
- Los Angeles Union Station Metro Bike Hub, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The Lodge on the Presidio, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Pier 70 Waterfront Plan, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Steven S. Koblik Training & Customer Heart, San Marino
The next statistics helped Architectural Sources Group, Inc obtain seventeenth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 1 |
Featured Initiatives | 1 |
Complete Initiatives | 8 |
16. Studio BANAA
Studio BANAA is a San Francisco-based structure follow targeted on creating considerate and ingenious city infill and adaptive reuse initiatives for actual property builders, native companies, and neighborhood organizations.
Pushed by each creativity and performance, our method to design is uniquely tailor-made to every explicit consumer and web site. Data-gathering by way of consumer and neighborhood suggestions, web site and environmental evaluation, market analysis, feasibility research, and common exploration is what we imagine varieties the idea of a profitable design. Armed with our newfound data and heads stuffed with recent concepts, we’re in a position to produce cohesive design options with a deeper understanding of your venture’s wants.
The buildings we design show that creativity, monetary returns, and doing the precise factor for the neighborhood and the atmosphere will not be mutually unique. We design inventive housing options and daring business areas that serve the neighborhood, improve density, and maximize current sources.
A few of Studio BANAA’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Voyager Craft Espresso – The Unique, Santa Clara, CA, United States
- fifty fifth Road Dwell-Work, Oakland, CA, United States
- Zenrez Workplace, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Speedy Shows Workplace, Union Metropolis, CA, United States
- BCA Workplace, San Jose, CA, United States
The next statistics helped Studio BANAA obtain sixteenth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 1 |
Featured Initiatives | 1 |
Complete Initiatives | 8 |
15. Mark Cavagnero Associates
Mark Cavagnero Associates is a San Francisco-based structure agency targeted on cultural, business, schooling, and civic initiatives. Since its institution in 1988, the agency has accomplished a variety of architectural and grasp planning initiatives, together with massive and small scale institutional, non-profit, business, and residential initiatives. The agency gives a full vary of companies, from programming, grasp planning, web site planning and conceptual design, by way of building paperwork and administration.
A few of Mark Cavagnero Associates’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- East Bay Heart for the Performing Arts, Richmond, CA, United States
- SFJAZZ Heart, San Francisco, CA, United States
- The Terrace, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA, United States
- SFO Consolidated Administration Campus, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Confidential Funding Agency, CA, United States
The next statistics helped Mark Cavagnero Associates obtain fifteenth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 2 |
Featured Initiatives | 2 |
Complete Initiatives | 5 |
14. FUTUREFORMS
FUTUREFORMS is an award-winning interdisciplinary artwork and design studio training out of San Francisco, CA Since 2005, founders Jason Kelly Johnson and Nataly Gattegno have collaborated on a spread of initiatives exploring the intersections of artwork and design with public area, efficiency, superior fabrication applied sciences, robotics, and responsive constructing methods. Current initiatives have included advantageous artwork objects, furnishings and lights, artwork pavilions and sculptural shade canopies, in addition to massive scale city artwork installations. From 2002-2018 the studio was referred to as Future Cities Lab.
A few of FUTUREFORMS’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Hydraspan, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Lightweave, Washington, DC, United States
- Constellations, Pensacola, FL, United States
- Murmur Wall, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Lightswarm, San Francisco, CA, United States
The next statistics helped FUTUREFORMS obtain 14th place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 2 |
Featured Initiatives | 2 |
Complete Initiatives | 6 |
13. Studio O+A
At Studio O+A, our work course of combines creativity and adaptability with the technical experience to comprehend acceptable options for our shopper. As a result of our professionals are skilled and skilled in all facets of company planning and design, we train a level of management that carries initiatives from idea to complete with consistency and financial system.
A few of Studio O+A’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Fb HQ, 1601, California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- AOL Headquarters, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- The Fake Retailer, Charleston, SC, United States
- Cambridge Associates, San Francisco, CA, United States
- McDonald’s Headquarters, Chicago, IL, United States
The next statistics helped Studio O+A obtain thirteenth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 2 |
Featured Initiatives | 4 |
Complete Initiatives | 10 |
12. JENSEN Architects
At JENSEN Architects we’re captivated with creating buildings and environments that enrich the experiences of organizations and people. Guided by a duty to realize probably the most utilizing the fewest sources and to interact a broader cultural perspective, we develop options that embody every shopper’s values and bigger function.
Our wide-ranging portfolio—encompassing arts, schooling, residential, office and retail—is underpinned by an abiding curiosity in how we reside and work at present, and the pleasure we absorb collectively fixing design challenges by way of analysis, unconventional considering, and a give attention to craft.
A few of JENSEN Architects’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- SFMOMA Rooftop Sculpture Backyard, 151, third Road, San Francisco, CA, United States
- KBP West Places of work, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Ann Hamilton Tower, Geyserville, CA, United States
- OMCA Occasion Area
- Walden Studios, San Francisco, CA, United States
The next statistics helped JENSEN Architects obtain twelfth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 2 |
Featured Initiatives | 11 |
Complete Initiatives | 25 |
11. Feldman Structure
Feldman Structure is an modern residential and business studio recognized for creating buildings that sit calmly on the earth: lovely, healthful, and soulful areas that improve our purchasers’ lives, our communities, and the atmosphere.
A few of Feldman Structure’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Home Ocho, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, United States
- Slot Home, Los Altos Hills, CA, United States
- Dawn, Healdsburg, CA, United States
- Surf Home, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
- Atherton Pavilions, Atherton, CA, United States
The next statistics helped Feldman Structure obtain eleventh place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 2 |
Featured Initiatives | 20 |
Complete Initiatives | 37 |
10. OPA
Ogrydziak Prillinger Architects is a progressive San Francisco-based workplace that has been globally acknowledged for initiatives ranging in scale from establishments to personal houses, in addition to inside and object design. Based in 2004, OPA is an idea-driven workplace dedicated to discovering design options that each develop the chances inherent in structure and resonate inside their explicit context. Whereas each venture originates as a response to particular necessities of web site, program and shopper, it evolves as an exploration of its personal inner potential slightly than reflecting a predetermined architectural model. In all of the work, there’s an emphasis on shaping and choreographing spatial experiences by way of the consideration of motion, notion and formal logic.
A few of OPA’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Gallery Home
- Dune, Pajaro, CA, United States
- Vortex, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Nuclear Thresholds, Chicago, IL, United States
- Hidden Home, San Francisco, CA, United States
The next statistics helped OPA obtain tenth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 3 |
Featured Initiatives | 3 |
Complete Initiatives | 5 |
9. Cass Calder Smith Structure + Interiors
We imagine that masterful design is exclusive, related and timeless. We actually like iconic structure that’s conceptually fascinating and in addition reveals an consideration to element, materiality, and authenticity. We admire boldness balanced with simplicity, innovation balanced with performance, and energy balanced with precision. We see ourselves as well-traveled creators with a conviction {that a} proficient and skilled group that rigorously listens is a invaluable ally. We’re professionally motivated to attach the facets of creative ambition, downside fixing, environmental duty and magnificence inside demanding necessities.
We’re an award-winning multidisciplinary agency devoted to design excellence. We had been based in 1992 by Architect Cass Calder Smith and at the moment are comprised of 4 principals that embody Barbara Vickroy, Taylor Lawson, and Tim Quayle.
A few of Cass Calder Smith Structure + Interiors’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Aptos Retreat, Aptos, CA, United States
- Mill Valley Residence, Marin County, CA, United States
- Household Dwelling Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- Seadrift Residence, Stinson Seaside, CA, United States
- Springs Residence, Clinton Road, East Hampton, NY, United States
The next statistics helped Cass Calder Smith Structure + Interiors obtain ninth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 3 |
Featured Initiatives | 6 |
Complete Initiatives | 22 |
8. Aidlin Darling Design
With a shared curiosity in exploring design throughout a variety of scales, applications and disciplines, companions Joshua Aidlin and David Darling began Aidlin Darling Design round a wooden store in 1998. With an emphasis on designing for all the senses, they’ve cultivated a various and collaborative studio that acts because the inventive hub for an prolonged community of builders, fabricators, artists, engineers, cooks and different collaborators. The agency’s work explores a carefully held conviction that design can enlighten the human spirit by participating all the senses.
A few of Aidlin Darling Design’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Brecon Property Vineyard, Paso Robles, CA, United States
- Glen Ellen Aerie, Glen Ellen, CA, United States
- Winged Retreat, Carmel Valley, CA, United States
- Excessive Desert Retreat, Palm Springs, CA, United States
- Terrace Home, San Francisco, CA, United States
The next statistics helped Aidlin Darling Design obtain eighth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 3 |
Featured Initiatives | 10 |
Complete Initiatives | 19 |
7. Anderson Anderson Structure
Anderson Anderson Structure is a revered, award-winning design agency with expertise in a broad vary of venture sorts. Companions Mark Anderson and Peter Anderson began the agency as a design-build building firm in 1984. With a robust basis within the practicalities of building, we’ve got since grown right into a diversely skilled structure agency collaborating with many different common contractors, producers and building professionals to offer purchasers with design excellence, high-quality execution and skilled illustration of the shopper’s pursuits all through the development course of. Sustaining a comparatively small design workers assures shut private consideration to the agency’s designs initiatives.
A few of Anderson Anderson Structure’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Harvard Yard Childcare Heart, 2, Kirkland Road, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Sebastopol Barn Home, Sebastopol, CA, United States
- Phoenix Home, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Black and White Block Home, Menlo Park, CA, United States
- Anekona Undertaking, HI, United States
The next statistics helped Anderson Anderson Structure obtain seventh place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 4 |
Featured Initiatives | 4 |
Complete Initiatives | 8 |
6. Rapt Studio
We’re into branding, design and the areas that carry them collectively. We love connecting issues. Websites, design and technique—we predict it’s higher once they all come collectively. We’re a bunch of designers, builders, thinkers, and followers of tradition who love creating inspiring areas, digital locations, and all the pieces in between. Briefly, we assist corporations stand out and stand for one thing.
A few of Rapt Studio’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Blink Inc., Santa Clara, CA, United States
- HBO Seattle, Seattle, WA, United States
- Common Catalyst, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Unity SF, San Francisco, CA, United States
- GitHub, San Francisco, CA, United States
The next statistics helped Rapt Studio obtain sixth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Finalist | 8 |
Featured Initiatives | 4 |
Complete Initiatives | 29 |
5. S^A | Schwartz and Structure
S^A | Schwartz and Structure is a contemporary structure and inside design studio established by Founder + Principal Neal J. Z. Schwartz, FAIA in 1997. Our experience is in guiding purchasers by way of a extremely interactive design course of tailor-made to their personalities, budgets, and desires. Reasonably than imposing a pre-conceived aesthetic, we start our work by thoughtfully analyzing the actual alternatives posed by any web site and constraint. We stay concerned at each stage of design and building, and thrive working with fastened schedules and sources.
Current recognition for the agency’s design work and ethos features a nationwide James Beard Basis Award for Excellence in Restaurant Design, two Chicago Athenaeum American Structure Awards, 4 AIA California Council Design Awards, a Boston Society of Structure Design Award, and 4 AIA San Francisco Design Awards.
A few of S^A | Schwartz and Structure’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Criminal | Cup | Bow | Twist, Marin Metropolis, CA, United States
- Field on the Rock, Sonoma, CA, United States
- Overlook Visitor Home, Los Gatos, CA, United States
- Shou Sugi Ban Home, Los Gatos, CA, United States
- Lichen Home, Glen Ellen, CA, United States
The next statistics helped S^A | Schwartz and Structure obtain fifth place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Winner | 1 |
Featured Initiatives | 7 |
Complete Initiatives | 17 |
4. Arterra Panorama Architects
Arterra is a full-service panorama structure agency specializing in up to date, sustainable design. We collaborate with our purchasers and their design group, offering imaginative options and clear communication.
The Arterra Group is a various and barely quirky group of inventive and nerdy people. We’re devoted to the artwork and the craft of our career. We contemplate it an honor and a privilege to do the work we do — and we do it nicely.
We share concepts and inspiration in our lovely, open studio area, the place design concepts come to life. We’re devoted to doing sustainable work, and dwelling sustainable lives. Our best achievement is making a significant and sustainable panorama legacy.
A few of Arterra Panorama Architects’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- View Finder, Carmel Valley, CA, United States
- Tilting Towards The Sky, CA, United States
- The Pavilion , San Jose, CA, United States
- Slot Home, Los Altos Hills, CA, United States
- Dawn, Healdsburg, CA, United States
The next statistics helped Arterra Panorama Architects obtain 4th place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Winner | 2 |
A+Awards Finalist | 3 |
Featured Initiatives | 8 |
Complete Initiatives | 15 |
3. Mork Ulnes Architects
With places of work in San Francisco and Oslo, Mork Ulnes Architects approaches initiatives with a mix of Scandinavian practicality and Northern California’s ‘can-do’ spirit of innovation.
A few of Mork Ulnes Architects’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- MOOSE ROAD RESIDENCE, Ukiah, CA, United States
- Troll Hus, Placer County, CA, United States
- Triple Barn Home, Sonoma, CA, United States
- Ridge Home, Sonoma, CA, United States
- Skigard Hytte, Fåvang, Norway
The next statistics helped Mork Ulnes Architects obtain third place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Winner | 2 |
A+Awards Finalist | 5 |
Featured Initiatives | 9 |
Complete Initiatives | 9 |
2. Form4 Structure
Form4 Structure believes in returning a way of humanity to Modernism by way of emotional which means and poetic design. The San Francisco-based award‐profitable agency measures success by our contributions to society by way of a 2nd Century Modernist method that balances expressive design, rigor, empathy and sustainability to create fascinating buildings and areas that resonate with folks and improve their lives.
A few of Form4 Structure’s most distinguished initiatives embody:
- Corten Ribbon, Walnut Creek, CA, United States
- Falling Lotus Blossoms, EON IT Park, Pune, India
- Sanguine Lily, 1916 Centenary Chapel at Glasnevin Cemetery, Idea
- Folded Wings, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- Cloudscape, Idea
The next statistics helped Form4 Structure obtain 2nd place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Winner | 2 |
A+Awards Finalist | 5 |
Featured Initiatives | 5 |
Complete Initiatives | 19 |
1. IwamotoScott Structure
IwamotoScott Structure is an award profitable structure and design agency established by Lisa Iwamoto and Craig Scott. Based mostly in San Francisco, California, the agency has gained nationwide and worldwide recognition for modern design with initiatives across the nation and abroad. Dedicated to pursuing structure as a type of utilized design analysis, IwamotoScott proceeds from the idea that every venture can obtain a singular design synthesis. IwamotoScott’s shopper record consists of arts organizations, instructional establishments, media companies, business builders, and personal purchasers. Our initiatives consist of labor in any respect scales together with city design, buildings, interiors, full-scale fabrications, museum installations and exhibitions and theoretical proposals.
IwamotoScott has obtained over eighty design awards and honors.
A few of IwamotoScott Structure’s most distinguished initiatives inclu432de:
- Edgar Road Towers, Manhattan, New York, NY, United States
- Metropolis of The Future: Hydro-Internet, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Heavybit Industries, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Goto Home, Napa County, CA, United States
- Pinterest HQ2, IwamotoScott Structure
The next statistics helped IwamotoScott Structure obtain 1st place within the 18 Greatest Structure Companies in San Francisco:
A+Awards Winner | 5 |
A+Awards Finalist | 6 |
Featured Initiatives | 12 |
Complete Initiatives | 31 |
Why Ought to I Belief Architizer’s Rating?
With greater than 30,000 structure companies and over 130,000 initiatives inside its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest on-line neighborhood of architects and constructing product producers. Its celebrated A+Awards program can also be the most important celebration of structure and constructing merchandise, with greater than 400 jurors and tons of of 1000’s of public votes serving to to acknowledge the world’s finest structure annually.
Architizer additionally powers agency directories for various AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, together with the official listing of structure companies for AIA New York.
A Information to Undertaking Awards
The blue “”+”” badge denotes {that a} venture has gained a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals particulars of the award, together with award class, 12 months, and whether or not the venture gained the jury or common alternative award.
The orange Undertaking of the Day and yellow Featured Undertaking badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial group, and are chosen based mostly on various components. The next components improve a venture’s chance of being featured or awarded Undertaking of the Day standing:
- Undertaking accomplished throughout the final 3 years
- A nicely written, concise venture description of no less than 3 paragraphs
- Architectural design with a excessive degree of each purposeful and aesthetic worth
- Top quality, in focus images
- At the very least 8 images of each the inside and exterior of the constructing
- Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
- Inclusion of building images
There are 7 Initiatives of the Day every week and an extra 31 Featured Initiatives. Every Undertaking of the Day is revealed on Fb, Twitter and Instagram Tales, whereas every Featured Undertaking is revealed on Fb. Every Undertaking of the Day additionally options in Architizer’s Weekly Initiatives E-newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.
We’re continually search for the world’s finest architects to hitch our neighborhood. If you need to know extra about this rating record and learn the way your agency can obtain a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to achieve out to us at editorial@architizer.com.