Last updated on May 21st, 2024 at 07:03 am

Many cities in California are experiencing major economic growth. The emergence of new markets continues to transform every region’s commercial landscape. Contributing to this growth are the best commercial architects in San Ramon. 

The firms below have not only served the area for decades; they have also helped developers, business owners, and entrepreneurs represent and embody their unique brands through distinct designs and architectural plans. Multi-awarded and affiliated with the leading industry institutions, these companies are also celebrated by notable magazines. Here they are, along with their most remarkable recent design projects.


Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP

One Maritime Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94111

Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP is one of the biggest and most established architectural firms in the country. Its more than 85 years of practice have helped it deliver landmark architectures and developments across California. One of its unforgettable projects that continue to garner accolades is the Genesis Tower, a pair of high-rises located in South San Francisco. The work earned several awards, including the Real Estate Deals of the Year recognition from the San Francisco Business Times. It also won a “best of” title under the Best Office Category, given by the California Construction Magazine. 

The buildings, characterized by their sculptural form, mimic their surrounding topography and feature a curved, veil-like façade made of glass curtain walls. These transparencies and glass elements offer a shifting appearance as the building reflects the environment’s ever-changing colors throughout the day. The interiors house 21 stories of life science laboratories, plenty of retail and office space, an on-site child care facility, and a performance and conference center.


William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc.

5000 Executive Parkway, Suite #375, San Ramon, CA 94583

William Hezmalhalch Architects was commissioned by AMCAL Multi-Housing to lead the full architectural work for the Las Ventanas, an affordable multifamily housing development in Long Beach. The architecture was designed to accommodate 102 units of apartment units, a dedicated section for retail spaces on a one-acre site, and a podium garage to maximize the site’s usable spaces. The building features a three-story tile mural and a red palette for the rest of its façade. The project also highlights green design features that passed US Green Building Council’s LEED Platinum standards. 

Aside from the firm’s commendable commitment to sustainability, the design community—especially in the form of the different regional AIA chapters—has recognized the firm’s contribution to architecture through multiple Merit Awards. Publications like Affordable Housing Finance, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Orange Coast Magazine, have featured many of the firm’s projects. Leading the firm’s over four decades of practice is president Bill Hezmalhalch, AIA, NCARB.


Q-Architecture, Inc.

25th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Q-Architecture was commissioned to lead the design and renovation efforts for the Stanford Shopping Center. The goal of the work was to house new shops, restaurants, retail spaces and expand the outdoor spaces that the commercial center offers. The project currently houses brands and tenants from a wide range of markets that cater to the university’s growing communities. The building’s new design was based on its surrounding landscape and architectural context. One of the highlights of the project was the incorporation of energy-conserving technologies and the use of environmentally friendly materials. 

Since the firm’s inception in 2009, it has advocated for green design and sustainability as a member of the US Green Building Council, and you can see that commitment in the project featured above. The firm has over a century of combined experience that makes it one of the leading architects in the field. Founding principal and architect Theo Revlock leads the firm’s everyday practice.


TWM Architects +Planners

1011 C St. San Rafael, CA 94901

TWM Architects + Planners has a reputation for using a creative approach toward producing designs for its clients. Its principals Derek Dutton, LEED AP, Paul Hartman, Christian Oakes, LEED AP, and Wade Herrboldt, Certified Green Building Professional (CGBP), all underscore the importance of innovation, sensitivity, and experience benefit of each project. Their philosophy is rooted in classic architecture principles, collaboration, and dedication to success. This approach has resulted in TWM Architects + Planners’ dedication to being environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Many of TWM Architects + Planners’ clients are found in both the private and public sectors. One of the firm’s residential projects is the Cornerstone Apartments in San Ramon, CA. The 226-unit apartment is connected to a nearby neighborhood park through a pedestrian pathway. Cornerstone Apartments features 21 two and three-story buildings, a preschool and common center building, a swimming pool, a cabana, and a playground.

Author

  • Shahe Demirdjian

    Shahe is an Editor at General Contractors with around four years of experience as a writer and editor in the construction space. Shahe has always had a huge interest in commercial/residential construction and real estate. On top of his experience at General Contractors, he has two years of experience as a Construction Partner Specialist at BuildZoom and six years of experience as a licensed real estate agent. In his work, he takes advantage of his expertise to take complex technical jargon from those realms and transform them into accessible, engaging content, blending his business administration expertise with a degree from Arizona State University with his experiential insights. Expertise: Architecture, Home Design and Build, Home Remodeling Key Highlights: Arizona Real Estate - Licensed Salesperson Education: Arizona State University - Bachelors in Business Administration