Last updated on November 20th, 2024 at 06:02 am

When creating a new environment for a corporate client’s headquarters, it’s important to consider what makes the company stand out. Apart from establishing a unique voice for their brand, an architect who considers the experience this new space will create and how that will reflect the company’s mission statement and narrative is absolutely necessary.

To help you choose the right designer equipped to handle your building requirements, our team has listed the best office architects in Irvine, California. These firms were selected for their accreditations, certifications, and professional affiliations. We also considered the recognition each firm has received in the form of industry awards, client reviews, and press features. We have laid out the range of services the firms offer, their specializations, and the length of time they have been in the industry.


ShubinDonaldson Architects

32 Executive Park, Suite 115, Irvine, CA 92614

ShubinDonaldson (SD) provides intelligently designed residences, commercial structures, and interiors that are infused with an attention to value, authentic material expression, and masterfully crafted details. Projects are delivered on time and on budget through a team effort, managed and directed by a project manager and project architect. The firm’s ability to creatively investigate and explore strategic solutions has earned the trust of the Los Angeles Business Council.

Robin Donaldson and Russell Shubin founded ShubinDonaldson Architects, and are partners alongside Mark Hershman. LEED AP Shubin was an Associate at the Blurock Partnership, and has since worked on luxury residences, mixed-use, multi-family, and commercial office projects for international clients. He is a member of the AIA, as is Donaldson, who serves on AIA and community planning advisory boards across Southern California. Meanwhile, Sherman cultivated the ShubinDonaldson’s commercial interiors practice, and has expanded its services to cover ground-up mixed-use, multi-family projects, as well as the adaptive reuse of campus developments. They have all been instrumental in the firm’s award-winning work in the corporate office market, including the Via Lido project.

The SD team updated the systems, structural capacity, and design of the 1960s building, creating a new transparent skin that enhances the working and living experience of its inhabitants. Floor-to-ceiling glass on every floor captures maximum views and provides daylight for the office spaces on the first and second floor. A twin glass wall façade structure encapsulates the second-floor office space and creates an artful visual screen, setting a quality and aesthetic precedent for future redevelopment of the area.


MG2

3333 Michelson Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612

With expertise in architecture, planning, interior design, branding, and urban design, MG2 has completed commercial, residential, and industrial developments on a national stage. The firm has particular strengths in program design and delivery, entitlement services, cost management, and built asset management. MG2 is grounded in community engagement and implements sustainable strategies in its designs through an integrated approach.

Award-winning architect Justin A. Hill AIA, LEED AP, NCARB heads MG2’s Irvine office and leads the Consumer Experience market. With more than 30 years in the profession, Justin is known for helping to elevate retail brands including luxury, specialty, and big-box, as well as F&B clients across the country. MG2 Principal Dave Schmitz RA, LEED AP, NCARB leads Community Environments in the Irvine office and oversees mixed-use developments which may include office, residential, hospitality, and retail components. In addition, Dave spearheads the office’s Developer Driven Industrial (DDI) sector.

The MG2 office’s open-plan concept, complete with glass-enclosed conference rooms and casual meeting nodes, improves transparency and encourages employee socialization. The strategic combination of workstation systems and freestanding furniture allows staff to reconfigure their space as business needs evolve without disrupting power and data infrastructure. A flex dining area adjacent to the kitchen serves as the office’s hub, with employees regularly gathering around tables for work sessions and presentations.

Learn more about MG2 at www.mg2.com.


MVE + Partners, Inc.

1900 Main Street, Suite 800, Irvine, CA 92614

Founded in 1974, MVE + Partners believes in a simple, proven approach to completing projects. Mixed with artistry and the latest technology, the approach has proven effective through several projects and recognitions the firm has achieved over the years. The firm has been featured in publications such as Building Design + Construction, Architect Magazine, ReBusinessOnline, and The Real Deal. They have earned numerous awards including the AIA Orange County 25-Year Design Award.

Aside from multifamily builds, the firm’s exceptional designs are exhibited in its mixed-use, commercial, resort, retail, institutional, hospitality and recreational communities and master plan projects. commercial, institutional, and resort projects. These designs are generated by dedicated team members—true innovators and professionals. MVE is led by an accomplished and experienced team of architects, designers, planners, and business professionals. They represent the greatest talent our industry has to offer and reflect the quality, leadership, success, and high standards of their clients.

One of MVE + Partners’ finest projects is this contemporary, single-story office building in Corporate Plaza campus at Newport Beach. The structure is distinguishable by its cylindrical atrium, exterior sandstone and metal detailing, and iconic entry way rotunda. It consists of indoor/outdoor work areas, a courtyard gallery, gardens, fountains, and a dining area.


Robinson Hill Architecture, Inc.

3195 B Airport Loop Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Robinson Hill Architecture (RHA) caters to commercial clients with accreditation from NCARB, NAIOP, and the US Green Building Council. Its core competencies lie in design, engineering, planning, graphics, branding, and construction administration. RHA is capable of handling entitlements and permit processing, and can conduct consultations and analysis studies. Rooted in collaboration, the RHA team works with the clients’ ideas and takes inspiration from each project’s programmatic requirements, site characteristics, and other contexts. 

Founder and Design Principal Michael David Robinson holds membership with the AIA and ULI. The LEED Accredited Professional draws on his 36 years of professional experience in steering the firm towards successful completion of its local, regional, and international projects. This two level 12,000-square-foot Corporate Headquarters for Craig Realty Group is located in Newport Beach, California. As part of the Koll Center, the building shares beautiful lake views from the lease space and expanded rear terrace.


RDCollaborative

245 East Third Street, Long Beach, CA 90802

Retail Design Collaborative (RDC) has been recognized with awards from the German Design Council and Architizer for their architecture, planning, and interior design services. The firm creates retail, entertainment, and hospitality environments. They have capabilities in conceptual design, entitlement, site planning, and all the stages of construction documentation and administration. Rearranging existing areas and dealing with plans and prototypes is second nature to RDC. This California Certified Green Business is dedicated to contributing to the 2030 Commitment, a promise to design all new buildings with net-zero energy by 2030.

Brad Williams, the President and CEO of RDC, is actively involved with the AIA California Council and a former Jury Member of the California Redevelopment Association. Brad has cultivated his design competency in urban infill revitalization projects, high-density retail developments, as well as revitalization programs for both public and private entities. He has won many accolades from the Los Angeles chapter of the American Planning Association (APA), the AIA Long Beach/South Bay Chapter, and the Congress for New Urbanism. 

RDC was responsible for the work on the Laserfiche headquarters. The interior architecture and design take cues from the core and shell of the building, taking advantage of the expansive open floor plates by utilizing an open office configuration for maximum daylight distribution. RDC creates an interior hierarchy by informing guests about the Laserfiche story in the public spaces, then transitioning seamlessly into private spaces for employees, providing a variety of work settings for both group and individual work.


Mcg Architecture

15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 100, Irvine CA 92618

For nearly six decades, MCG Architecture has been providing quality commercial architectural services across a wide geographic range. With offices in Irvine, Denver, San Francisco, and Cleveland, the firm is able to offer full services to its growing client list. The firm is particularly skilled when it comes to designing shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, and mixed-use developments.  

President and CEO Kevin James and Chairman of the Board Scott Hoffland are the driving force of leadership for MCG. They make sure every project of the firm sticks to the set budget and deadlines. James and Hoffland lend their knowledge of commercial design to MCG’s collection of workplaces which includes the Angelus Block Headquarters. The MCG team transformed this 10,200 square-foot space by working with the developer and owner to make tenant improvements. The team also updated the building’s shell to a modern, glass material.


DRA Architects

32 Executive Park, Suite 100, Irvine, CA  92614

DRA Architects specializes in commercial, industrial, medical, interior, worship, master plan, and educational projects.  They partner with non-profit groups and developers, including the Dow Jones Corporations, to provide clients with flexible services while taking their budget into account. The firm fulfills their client’s needs and maintains effective communication throughout all phases of design and construction.

Carrie Hoshino and Stephen P. Zieg are co-owners of DRA Architects. Their collaborative leadership has set the company apart as a leading design firm. Hoshino, a member of the AIA, sat as the project design architect at DeReverse & Associates and served as a designer at The Arroyo Group. She has over 29 years of experience and built 100 offices, several industrial and medical buildings, and worship centers throughout her career. Stephen P. Zieg carries extensive background in commercial, industrial, and religious facilities. Together they have lead DRA Architects through a diverse body of work that consists of offices such as the United Pacific Corporate Headquarters.

DRA Architects updated the United Pacific building into a new and modern space. They included large open workspaces, meeting spaces, a fitness center, an upstairs game area, a community kitchen, and an outdoor entertainment area. These spaces promote collaboration, fuel productivity, and foster employee dedication. Inspired by United Pacific’s own gas station canopy, wood panels in various shades of blue were individually hand-cut to achieve the look of waves.


Author

  • Alex Mericle is the Chief Editor at General Contractors Magazine with five years of experience in the construction space. Alex has always had a strong interest in residential and commercial construction and architecture, and he has built up technical experience with building permit data, subcontractor operations, and materials procurement over the years. On top of his experience at General Contractors Magazine, he has prior experience at BuildZoom. His analytical skillset, honed through a degree in Business Analytics from Creighton University and from his work experience, allows him to transform complex construction data into actionable insights and useful, captivating content. Expertise: Residential and Commercial Construction, Building Permit Data, Home Design and Build, Architecture, Subcontractor Operations, Material Procurement Key Highlights: Over 5 years of experience writing and editing in the construction space, Chief Editor at General Contractors Magazine, Previous experience at BuildZoom Education: Creighton University, Degree in Business Analytics

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