Last updated on May 21st, 2024 at 07:59 am
Whether you’re remodeling your current home or looking to build a new one from scratch, a design-build firm will handle your project’s design and construction under one roof. This in-house coordination helps to maintain continuity throughout the process, from the initial meeting to explore and understand your vision to the final touches on your new or updated space. The design-build approach can offer advantages in efficiency, accurate estimates, adherence to your budget, clear communication, and flexibility.
Our editorial team has put together a list of the best design-build firms in Pasadena, California. These companies were selected for their expertise with residential projects, as shown by media attention, years in business, and relevant awards.
Cynthia Bennett & Associates
501 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030
Cynthia Bennett & Associates tends to its clients’ needs through a comprehensive, step-by-step residential design and building process with a special focus on historic restoration. The company’s intricate approach ensures personalization from the outset for all the firm’s clients. Since the firm’s beginnings as a kitchen design specialist, Cynthia Bennett & Associates has expanded its services to cover remodeling, additions, general contracting, landscape and green design, interior design, and project management. The firm’s work principle revolves around working closely with clients and giving them the builder’s perspective to allow all parties to fully grasp the home’s design and additional concepts.
This cozy Colonial two-story home demonstrates the firm’s capabilities when it comes to customizing homes. Although the home is modern, it features strong Craftsman and traditional inspirations, with wood elements throughout. Pops of blue in the furniture and wall finishes enliven the space.
Addition Building & Design
4335 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite #354, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Addition Building & Design achieves success by consistently meeting four markers for every project: minimized risk, reduced cost, time saving, and project quality. The firm’s intensive network of first-rate contractors and teams specializes in building quality homes with lasting efficiency and above-standard designs. Addition Building & Design combines competitive pricing with world-class quality—a pairing made possible through extensive research into each client’s lifestyle and the functions they want the home to serve.
The firm is led by Mike Ross, who brings over 32 years of experience and affiliations with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), National Green Building Council (NGBC), Building Industry Association of Southern California, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He instills his values in home-building into the methods of Addition Building & Design.
The firm has put together an impressive portfolio of completed homes, including this custom home in Justin. The project features a traditional design with a dormer gable. An airy character was created by using light, warm tones and elegant textures such as marble, balanced by dark fixtures over a wide, stretched floor plan. Beyond the house lies an open yard for outdoor activities.
Nott & Associates
1508 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030
Over the past five decades, Nott & Associates has built and renovated more than 500 historic and luxury custom homes. The company has worked on projects in the residential, multifamily, and commercial markets, bringing the firm an impressive variety of experience. The firm’s unique design-build process has enabled it to shine in the industry as a dependable custom home builder that tailors each home to its owner. The firm has earned accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and upholds its values of sustainability and efficiency. The firm’s knowledge of government agencies and the building code enables it to expedite the approval process for projects.
Nott & Associates is responsible for the complete interior and exterior remodeling of this Mid-century Modern house in Pasadena. The Nott team removed all of the walls in the common areas and added steel beams and engineered lumber into the ceiling to maintain structural integrity. The centerpiece of the living space is a majestic fireplace in black Italian marble. The house also includes completely customized kitchen features.
Spazio LA Designs
10620 W. Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
Spazio LA Designs has been in business for 17 years and has learned that connection with clients goes beyond simply providing them with a home to live in. For its building and renovation projects, Spazio LA offers complete design, management, and construction services that cover the architectural and engineering planning stages. These services are made possible by the company’s reliable network of licensed contractors. The firm’s building approach is centered around creating living spaces that are both practical and appealing while reflecting the personality and values of the homeowners. Spazio LA forms deep relationships with each of its clients to fully understand their needs. After that relationship is established, communication becomes simpler and home visualization and actualization activities proceed more smoothly. Spazio LA’s hassle-free process also offers clients a flexible budget and convenient timetable.
This modern and clean complete interior and exterior home remodel in Pasadena is a prime example of what Spazio LA can deliver for its clients. This home was completely transformed with a new open floor plan, a renovated kitchen and bathrooms featuring Spazio LA Tile Gallery’s tiles and countertops, and a beautifully renovated front- and backyard.
Chelsea Design + Construction
4529 Angeles Crest Hwy. Suite #103, La Canada, CA 91011
Chelsea Design + Construction is an award-winning firm that specializes in designing and building contemporary homes on hillside and view lots as well as tackling projects in neighborhoods with strict zoning and historic or homeowner review requirements. The firm provides comprehensive services for clients looking to combine their architectural, design, and construction needs. The firm offers in-depth experience with all phases of construction, assisting clients with project buildability, material recommendations, and budgeting. The company is capable of managing the project schedule, assuring quality control, and keeping an eye on budget adherence while coordinating communication between the design team, consultants, and subcontractors. While building custom homes for its clients, the firm also creates positive environments where productivity and bonds are cultivated. Chelsea Design + Construction strives to deliver projects that meet the standards of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association.
Featured here is a gorgeous, Mediterranean-style home with classic elements rendered in wood and plaster. The home is divided into multiple sections or areas, each with its own function. The space also offers a flexible layout, so users can reconfigure the property as they wish. The color combination used is a gentle yet surprising mix of light and dark shades.
Concept Renovations
15928 Ventura Blvd. Suite #225, Encino, CA 91436
With certification from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Southern California, Concept Renovations has the experience and qualifications clients look for. The family-owned company brings 20 years of experience working on projects ranging from small-scale residential remodeling to extensive home improvements and new construction. Its knowledgeable team and project managers place the utmost importance on the client’s goals. They design or renovate a space in accordance with the client’s vision, relieving the client of all the hassle and stress. Since the company has worked in numerous cities across California, it has an expansive knowledge base that allows it to employ well-rounded solutions and breakthrough concepts for each home.
The firm typically works with traditional and contemporary home styles. An example is this beautiful bathroom remodel, which combines traditional and contemporary elements. Beige and stone tiles, a unique egg-shaped bathtub, granite countertops, and wood cabinets are among the elegant features of this master bathroom. This project also shows that clients don’t need elaborate designs to elevate the quality of a space—they need creativity and passion.
Roger Perron Design and Construction
3171 Los Feliz Blvd. Suite #306, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Roger Perron Design and Construction is guided by its principles of affordable excellence, exceptional design, and first-rate service in custom home building, remodeling, and additions. The firm takes a thorough approach to project management, where it combines its technical construction expertise with creativity in design. After listening to the client’s needs, the firm crafts an innovative design that addresses those needs. This custom design is then skillfully integrated into the building process under expert supervision. The company has completed a multitude of projects in the greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica, Studio City, and Encino, that will last for generations.
The firm is led by Roger Perron, whose six decades of experience in home building and remodeling spans bathrooms and kitchens, hillside construction, and the correction of earthquake damage. This extensive background is what makes him an effective leader and principal for Roger Perron Design and Construction.
The Roger Perron team handled the extensive remodel in Pasadena, California shown here. The firm created an entertainment center with a special ribbon fireplace directly below the large TV screen and fully remodeled the kitchen and family room. Special Cantina windows were installed in the kitchen and family room that open out onto the patio for a wide, spacious feeling in the newly-created indoor-outdoor space.
Eden Builders
19528 Ventura Blvd. Suite #242, Tarzana, CA 91356
Eden Builders puts its 15 years of experience into practice to deliver new builds, kitchen and bathroom remodels, and home renovations. The firm’s team consists of Certified Remodeling Consultants, Project Managers, and trade professionals who continuously develop their skills as builders and are dedicated to clients. In each of its residential projects, the firm has taken into consideration the client’s budget as well as how each structure resonates with its setting. The firm’s passion for building exceptional spaces is what drives it to achieve great results in custom home building.
This kitchen addition is a fine example of how each building synergizes with its surroundings. While its grand size and luxurious materials set the tone, its seamless blending with the surrounding landscape sets it apart. The effective combination of natural wood flooring and white custom cabinets creates a strong natural atmosphere that combines well with its environment.
Arrowhead Remodeling & Design
18345 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA 91356
Arrowhead Remodeling & Design has been a well-known design-build firm in California for over 13 years and has driven itself to create the best custom homes imaginable. It applies its extensive knowledge and its commitment to building an ideally tailored home to each of its projects. The firm makes sure that every construction phase is trouble-free and understandable for the client, while working to minimize the client’s costs, project timeline, and any inconveniences. It ensures that all projects are flawless, and that each completed home is personalized and exceeds its owner’s expectations.
Featured here is an elegant custom home in Pasadena, with the hallmarks of an upscale property. The home’s kitchen design strikes a balance between the coolness of the chrome and glass detailing and the warmth of wood flooring and earth-toned accents. The space also includes a few modern statement pieces that give it a unique appeal. Ample windows bring natural light into the interior space, adding warmth to the artificial lighting.
MiLar Design Build
812 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030
MiLar Design Build is a client-driven firm that emphasizes client satisfaction and personalized homes. The company employs professional custom home builders that focus on practical and visually appealing homes. MiLar uses state-of-the-art 3D design technology to allow clients to experience their visualized dream home before it becomes a reality. The company handles all permitting, subcontractor recruiting, and job site preparation as a licensed general contractor. The staff is committed to providing clients with high-quality outcomes through frequent updates, weekly meetings, and in-depth inspections. Mi-Lar selects the most appropriate materials to deliver the community’s most durable and energy-efficient homes. It has earned certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and has a strong relationship with the American Society of Interior Designers.
This bathroom remodel in a 1926 English Revival bungalow is an excellent representative of MiLar’s portfolio. While staying within the client’s budget, the project team was able not only to incorporate the existing archway into the new design as a focal point of the room, but also to combine the shower with the tub and create a private nook for the toilet using the former standing shower space. Hexagonal terracotta tiles were used for the floor to evoke the bathroom’s original Spanish look, with a terrazzo countertop to add depth and texture.
Metropolis Drafting and Construction
812 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030
Metropolis Drafting and Construction has been in business for 19 years. The company implements an all-inclusive design-build process that focuses on kitchens, baths, additions, and whole-house renovations. Equipped with a comprehensive knowledge base in home construction and individualization, the company can reliably satisfy its clients with exceptional efficiency and expedited construction within budget. The firm’s team includes reputable architects and designers who collaborate to create designs that represent the client’s lifestyle and vision. The firm places emphasis on correct planning, such as carefully strategizing the layout of cabinets, identifying plumbing locations for a bathroom’s new layout, and selection and coordination of tile placement, which are important early decisions leading to a successful project.
This home’s bathroom was given a facelift as well, which included the removal of an interior wall that divided the vanity area from the toilet/shower area. A huge shower was constructed instead, and the vanity was slightly moved to allow enough space for a wall-mounted toilet to be constructed.
Coram Design Center
3800 Foothill Blvd. #B, La Crescenta, CA 91214
Coram Design Center understands that in order to walk clients through each phase of the home development process, from design to construction, it’s necessary to build deep connections with them to gain a solid grasp of their needs and desires. The firm provides direct supervision throughout the building and design phases, to avoid any possible flaws and to allow quick adjustments to better suit the clients’ needs. It also maintains good relationships with suppliers to meet its clients’ budgets. Since its establishment, Coram Design Center has earned accreditation from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and has NKBA Remodeling Specialists and NKBA Cabinetry Specialists on staff.
Featured here is a kitchen renovation project that demonstrates Coram Design Center’s attention to detail. The kitchen features stone countertops and dark wooden cabinets. A core design element is the open shelving above the sink, whose glass doors and back act as a large window in the space. The shelf-window hybrid extends the space into the outdoors, given the kitchen an open feel.
