Last updated on July 4th, 2024 at 06:54 am
Torrance is home to numerous company headquarters and manufacturing facilities. The American Honda Motor Company headquarters and its luxury division—Acura—are located in this city. Robinsons Helicopters and Honeywell’s Garrett turbochargers are also designed and built in Torrance. Other companies based in this city include Virco, Pelican Products, and Rapiscan Systems.
Companies like these need the best industrial architects in Torrance to provide an innovative and efficient designs for their headquarters. On this list are some of the architectural firms that have proven their credibility through an impressive project portfolio, years of experience, and a number of commendations.
Withee Malcolm Architects
2251 W 190th St. Torrance, CA 90504
Withee Malcolm (WM) Architects has kept their promise of creating “design that makes a difference” since 1977. As a BSB Design Studio, WM Architects is committed to bringing creative solutions to every project. With a team of over 40 professionals, the firm has worked on hospitality, housing, commercial projects, and industrial buildings.
The architectural firm was founded by Dan Withee, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), Building Design + Construction (BD+C), and Dale M. Malcolm, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, 45 years ago. Withee has been in the industry since 1973, after graduating from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. His expertise is focused on planning and designing award-winning housing projects to improve communities.
Meanwhile, his founding partner, Malcolm, is experienced in residential, commercial, and institutional projects. He’s also a graduate of the Architecture program at California Polytechnic State University.
The firm is a recipient of numerous awards for its residential projects, including the 2019 Silver Award from San Fernando Valley Business Journal and the 2021 Gold Nugget Merit Award from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC). The firm’s impressive work has been featured in publications like Westside Today, Los Angeles Times, and Los Angeles Business Journal.
One of their well-known projects is the Centerpoint Socal Logistics Center — a 44-acre development located in Buena Park. It was a retail distribution center before WM Architects transformed it into a state-of-the-art logistics center. The structure was originally constructed in 1967, leading the firm to replace the outdated office space with a larger warehouse storage space.
James Heimler Architect, Inc.
21051 Warner Center Lane Suite #220, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367
Established in 1985, James Heimler Architect is a leading architectural firm focused on sustainable design and spatial planning. Besides industrial projects, they’ve also worked on commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. The firm incorporates sustainability through energy-efficient systems, green materials, and passive solar design.
The firm is led by Jim Heimler, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), LEED AP — a licensed architect in California, Nevada, and Washington.
James Heimler Architect has received numerous awards from reputable institutions, including the 2014 Los Angeles Certified Green Business Award from the City of Los Angeles and the 30 Year Award for Community Service from the American Institute of Architects San Fernando Valley Chapter in 2012.
Globe Stainless is one of the notable projects by the firm. The 8,000-square-foot development is a single-story warehouse building. It was a slab-on-grade project made with concrete blocks and built-up roofing. The building features high windows and skylights to bring natural light in.
D.S. Ewing Architects
723 E California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106
D.S. Ewing Architects is a full-service architectural firm that started in 1972. The firm was able to renovate two structures from 1905 and convert them into a 5,000-square-foot office space in Pasadena. Since the firm was established, they’ve worked on over 1,000 projects — specializing in master plan design, interior design, architectural design, renovations, and restorations. The firm’s president, Douglas S. Ewing, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), NCARB, is a graduate of Citrus College.
Some of the firm’s awards include the 2019 Pasadena Weekly Best Architect Award and the 1995 Urban Design Award from Pasadena Beautiful Foundation for the Woman’s Bookstore. D.S. Ewing Architects has also been featured in publications like Builder Magazine and Archinect.
D.S. Ewing built the headquarters of Interbath, Inc. — a high-tech shower fixture company. The project included a 20,000-square-foot space for offices and a 90,000-square-foot space for manufacturing and shipping.
TWG Architects
717 Superba Ave. Venice, CA 90291
Since 1983, TWG Architects has been working on industrial, commercial, residential, single-family, and multifamily projects. For the past 39 years, the firm has been driven by its desire to build on the working needs of its clients. The firm’s president and co-founder, Ed Woll, graduated with a Master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard University. Before starting TWG Architects, he worked for other well-known architectural firms in Los Angeles and taught at McMaster University in Ontario. Woll co-founded the firm along with David Rivera and David Weisenbloom.
Some of the awards given to TWG Architects include the 2019 Award for Excellence in Architectural Design from AIA Los Angeles and the 1996 Project of the Year for Rockwell International.
The Exxon/Mobil Petroleum Quality Control Lab was built by TWG Architects — a 10,000-square-foot space located in Torrance. The real-time testing of all petroleum products is conducted in a quality-assurance laboratory for chemical testing. The structure houses wet labs, octane-testing engines, specialized rooms, offices, and conference rooms. The structure is specially designed to accommodate situations occasionally created by hazardous materials.
Satoh Brothers International, Inc.
19750 S Vermont Ave. Suite #100, Torrance, CA 90502
With over 109 years of experience, Satoh Brothers International, Inc. (SBI) is a multi-generational family-owned architectural firm based in Japan. The start of the firm can be traced back to Mr. Koichi Satoh — one of the founding members of early modern Japanese Architecture. Satoh received his education in Europe and founded the architectural department at Waseda University. He is acknowledged for bringing Western architectural influences to Japan. His son eventually took over the firm in 1941 and expanded Satoh Brothers to 12 branch offices all over Japan. It was only 30 years ago that SBI started offering services in the United States, focusing on construction management, general contracting services, and architectural designing.
The current president of the firm is Yoshio Satoh who came to the country in 1972. He worked for design and production at an architectural firm in Wisconsin before joining other firms in different parts of the U.S. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Nihon University and a master’s degree in Architecture from Pennsylvania State University.
A great example of SBI’s work is the Nippon Express USA located in Long Beach. The 190,000-square-foot office and warehouse were built for the Japanese logistics and transport company. The project included a walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer rooms, high-pile racking systems, new fencing, and the installation of a backup generator.
