Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 08:48 am
The city of Aurora is known for its outdoor recreational offerings. Named “the most active city in America,” the metropolitan town boasts a ton of high-end physical activity facilities, including sailing establishments and local parks. In terms of residential estates, the city boasts suburban communities typical of American neighborhoods. The result is a convenient, beautiful city with adventure around every corner.
This list compiles the best residential architects to choose from for homeowners looking to relocate to the area. These studios were selected based on factors that include company history, work quality, project portfolio, awards, industry accreditations, and client reviews. These firms were researched extensively with data available in public domains.
This list includes both licensed architects and residential designers who can both design stunning homes but differ in other services offered. Architects are trained in design, engineering, and project management and have passed a licensing exam. Residential designers typically don’t manage projects and plans will need to be approved by a structural engineer. Whether you choose to hire an architect or a residential designer will depend on your project needs and complexity.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work. On the other hand, if you want to learn more about the cost of building a custom home in Aurora, check out our cost guide article.
Centre Sky Architecture
10125 Rancho Montecito Drive, Parker, CO 80138
Sustainable architectural design in mountain locations is Centre Sky Architecture’s forte. Custom residential, resort, hospitality, and commercial structures are all present in the firm’s portfolio, and all have been completed with meticulous design and exquisite detail. Jamie Daugaard serves as the principal architect of the firm. He is accredited by the Architects Institute of America (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and an Accredited Professional of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP). His company has been included in Mountain Living Magazine’s Top Mountain Architects and Designers in 2019 and named among the winners of Big Sky Magazine’s “Best Of” list in 2018. Third-party sites have granted the firm several awards for design and service excellence as voted by former clients.
Centre Sky’s body of work includes a variety of home designs: Contemporary Ranch, Spanish Colonial, and Mountain Modern. The project featured below is the Black Forest Homestead, a custom home situated in Denver. The residential property exudes a traditional quality infused with contemporary charm. The European aesthetic of the lavishly luxurious structure plays beautifully off the rocky and greenery-filled landscape.
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
Craine Architecture
2490 Welton St., Denver, CO 80205
A commitment to building structures and client bonds have propelled Craine Architecture to success in the Colorado architecture arena. The firm is lead by principal Dan Craine who holds accreditations from the AIA and NCARB. A veteran licensed in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, Craine’s architecture prowess is proven not only through decades of tremendous work in the field but as a member of several industry bodies, including the Historic Denver Inc. and the Strategic Design Leadership Committee (SADL).
The firm’s body of work includes residential, hospitality, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse projects. This outstanding work was previously showcased in Colorado Home Magazine, 5280 Magazine, and Architectural Lighting Magazine. The firm is a recipient of the Mayor’s Design Award in 2018 and 2019 as well as the Downtown Denver Award in 2018. Its work on The Mirador was awarded the Historic Denver Community Preservation Award in 2018.
Pictured is the Bow Mar Residence, a custom ranch house built by Craine Architecture in 2016. The 8,900 square foot single–family property is built on top of the Bow Mar Lake. It has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and an art studio plus an adjacent boathouse adjacent. The 2-story estate displays a cool collection of colors that meshes nicely with the sky on a bright, sunny day. A neutral palette of muted blues, faded grays, and solid whites exude an all-American aesthetic fit for a small family.
Design Studio Architects
5730 S. Curtice St. Littleton, CO 80120
Innovative designs and top-notch construction are just some of the reasons Design Studio Architects, Inc. is sought after in Colorado. Their work consistently meets the gold standard, a quality that has also earned the firm outstanding reviews from former clientele. The company earned approval from homeowners for its fast, exceptional work as well as the ease of collaboration between its crew and the clients. Ryan Holtmann, a seasoned industry architect, spearheads the firm’s operations as one of the owners. A perfect mixture of industry experience and design prowess guarantees an outstanding output that accurately brings design drawings to life and exceeds client expectations.
Design Studio Architects, Inc. works on residential, commercial, and multi-family projects. The single-family home pictured below is the Hilltop Residence, a 5,700 square feet project completed by Design Studio Architects. The Denver project features stone, stucco and wood materials constructed and designed to produce a classic prairie-style structure. Members of the architecture firm are associated with the US Green Building Council (USGBC), AIA, LEED, and NCARB.
Doug Walter Architects
PO Box 461233, Denver CO 80246
Doug Walter Architects is a company that has received more than 140 accolades, local and national, over the course of 40 years. The studio’s long and impressive resume is a testament to its consistent quality and exceptional design, both major reasons why Doug Walter is a trusted name in the architectural landscape of Colorado. The company has been the recipient of the Pro Remodeler Design Awards. It holds accreditations from the AIA, USGBC, Historic Denver, Home Builders Association (HBA) of Metro Denver, and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). The firm practices philanthropy, and has generously worked with Habitat for Humanity and Home Builders Foundations for years.
Featured below, the Bonnie Brae project by Doug Walter: the home was remodeled by the firm, updating it with modern flair and infusing it with a personalized style unique to its brand. The beautiful estate exudes a captivating quality and a suburban charm perfect for single-family units.
Ekman Design Studio Architecture
550 East 8th Ave., Denver, CO 80203
Ekman Design Studio is an architecture firm with mastery in creative designs and cutting-edge technology. Ekman is known for its strong reputation and excellent collaboration process, promoting coordination between clients and designers to build projects with accuracy and efficiency. Steve Ekman leads a talented crew of craftspeople that not only builds structures but fosters relationships with its clients by making the building process hassle-free. The Denver-based studio specializes in fine homes. The architecture produced by the company transcends trends, carrying a timeless quality that will last for generations.
The Cherry Hills Richardsonian estate showcased here displays exceptional build and stunning design. Its layout includes rustic elements augmented by contemporary details that bring out the aesthetics of the structure. Custom milled woodwork was employed in the estate’s build in combination with a variety of stone facets: limestone façades, stone columns, and slate roofing. Modern and traditional elements are visible in its overall design, a synthesis of two styles that evokes vintage elegance as well as contemporary beauty. Exquisite work like this is why the firm has earned accolades from the AIA and other award-granting bodies in the previous decade.
Godden Sudik Architects
5975 South Quebec St. Suite 250, Centennial, CO 80111
Godden Sudik Architects boasts a long list of awards accumulated over the course of three decades, which speaks to its quality of work and its prominence in the industry. The firm is named after founders Scott Sudik and Gary Godden. Sudik is an AIA and NCARB accredited professional with a passion for art and architecture, which translates seamlessly into his work. Godden, also an AIA and NCARB member, established the groundwork for the firm’s core values, values that let the firm blossom into what it is today.
The well-decorated studio has a plethora of accolades on its resume, including the Gold Nugget Award of Merit, several HBA Metro Denver MAME Awards for different categories, and a number of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Best of 50+ Housing Awards. Its consistent recognition year after year puts it among the top names in the region’s architectural landscape. A penchant for finding solutions for issues big or small is one of the firm’s core strengths, a trait that extends to everyone involved in its operations.
Aside from being members of industry bodies, the studio also actively works with charitable organizations such as the Home Builders Foundation of Metro Denver Accessibility, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, and Home Aid Colorado. A variety of estates fill its catalog of projects, ranging from single-family residences, multifamily buildings, interior remodels, and custom remodels. The property pictured here is a Berkeley Residence in Denver, a lovely residential project completed by Godden Sudik Architects. For more information about Godden Sudik Architects, you can visit their website here.
Hagan Quallick Architects
130 Vine St., Denver, CO 80206
Hagan Quallick Architects (HQA) is a design and build architecture firm that strives to create beautiful structures that bring beauty and function to the community. Social responsibility is taken seriously by the studio, which is overseen by Alison Hagan and Anne Quallick. The principals, both accredited by the AIA and certified LEED APs, make sure that every aspect of HQA’s operation impacts the community in a positive way. Hagan is Certified in Historic Preservation with a wide array of experience in managing projects both large scale and small. Quallick is Certified in Design-Build with vast experience in residential and commercial architecture as well as handling any pre-design and post-design details a project requires. The combined prowess of Hagan and Quallick is the studio’s cornerstone: both are devoted to delivering quality service and design to every client in the Colorado region.
The Tudor style home pictured here showcases a regal aesthetic highlighted by classic dormers and gables made of brick and timber materials. Despite its minimalist design, the estate’s beauty shines due to its quality make-up, which carries a refined aesthetic backed by exceptional framework and design. The home’s strong European influences is a striking presence in the suburban neighborhood, a gorgeous landmark standing tall thanks to Hagan Quallick.
Hart Studio LLC
P. O. Box 460003, Denver, CO 80246
Hart Studio is an architectural studio with expertise in custom home design and remodeling. The full-service residential firm was established by founder and principal Tomas Hart, an AIA accredited architect with an impressive resume. Hart works on all types of residential projects: ground-up construction, interior remodels, and additions. It has developed its brand based on excellent quality, service, and management, traits that drive the firm forward and towards success. Client community sites have praised the firm’s customer service aspect as a standout part of its operations, earning recognition in third-party domains.
Publications that have featured the firm include Better Homes and Gardens, Colorado Homes and Lifestyles, and Colorado Expression. Hart has also appeared on television, showcasing its projects on Discovery Channel and the HGTV channel. The Cherry Hills project by Hart Studio is a traditional two million dollar bricks and stone home built in a suburban Denver neighborhood. The two-story property proudly displays its elegant design with a round front door archway and three triangular dormers on its façade. The large house flaunts a neutral palette of deep and faded browns, complemented by shades of gray and white.
HMH Architecture + Interiors
1701 15th St. Suite B, Boulder, CO 80302
Functional building and sustainable design have been the specialty of HMH Architecture + Interiors for four decades. Four core steps effectively sum up the studio’s process—evaluate, create, visualize, and realize. The firm starts with the planning stage, where designing and crafting a blueprint transitions into a visualization of the structure using ArchiCAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software. Finally, the home reaches the building stage. Years of operation have fortified the process, smoothly becoming a proven strength of HMH’s business model. Total transparency in budget and schedule management combined with solid collaboration makes the firm a well-rounded partner when building residential properties.
The studio’s initials stand for Harvey M. Hine, managing principal and founding partner of the firm. Hine’s signature combines classic aesthetic and modern designs, and the result stands out from the pack. He has spearheaded more than 300 projects, some of which have been showcased in Architect Magazine, Luxe Magazine, and Modern in Denver Magazine, among others. Hine is accredited by the AIA, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Robert R. Larsen, A.I.A
6903 E Harvard Ave, Denver, CO 80224
Robert R. Larsen is an AIA-accredited architect whose mastery lies in new homes, renovations, and additions. For three decades, the esteemed architect has provided architectural services to Denver clients through building residential structures and designing magnificent interiors. Larsen implements energy-efficient designs, a commitment that stems from his passion for green building and helping the environment through sustainable construction. Larsen is also well known for his beautiful designs of interior woodwork Client testimonials for Larsen are consistently positive, with former customers praising the studio’s work quality, staff professionalism, and project management.
The firm has received several HBA of Metro Denver awards in the previous decade, most of which are for its remodeling work. A versatile range of projects is present in the firm’s portfolio, and styles include Mediterranean mansions and Craftsman homes. The featured property is a Mining Era Victorian home. Bright magenta and electric blues highlight its exterior. The bold exterior reflects the homeowner’s style, a unique and attractive selection brought to perfection by Larsen and his firm.
Root Architecture and Development
2658 Walnut St., Denver, CO 80205
Sophisticated and simple: these qualities define Root Architecture and Development’s portfolio of beautiful projects. The studio employs cutting edge design and innovative building methods to provide clients with top-quality homes. The firm is also big on green building, actively implementing environmentally-friendly methods in building homes. Zeke Freeman is the founder and owner of Root Architecture and Development, a licensed architect and contractor and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Freeman’s dedication and passion for building and designing structures is the cornerstone of the studio, and the firm’s credentials and body of work speak for themselves.
Root’s meticulous approach to every project and strict observance of the project timeframe and budget have made it one of the most reliable builders in Colorado. The studio works on custom residential home design, specialty commercial design, and real estate, and it uses BIM software in its work operations for accurate building output. The featured work is the 2260 Bellaire Residence, a beautiful Craftsman estate with a minimalist white aesthetic built and designed by Root Architecture and Development.
Roth Sheppard Architects
1900 Wazee St., Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202
A strong focus on minimalist building and simple, clean designs have kept Roth Sheppard Architects among the top contemporary architects in the area. The studio excels in building projects in the residential, retail, public safety, and restaurant markets. Showcasing modern aesthetic and functional structures are some of the firm’s strengths and have earned the design studio more than 100 awards from the AIA and other prestigious industry associations. The firm offers architectural and interior design services and its talented architects and designers guide clients throughout the entire process from the blueprint stage until the finishing touches. The firm also works in the restaurant, boutique, and retail markets.
Herb Roth and Jeff Sheppard are the principals and co-founders of the company, lending their namesakes to the studio’s brand. Roth is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) with more than 50 AIA awards to his name. Likewise, AIA member Sheppard carries a well-decorated resume filled with more than 75 AIA awards and 20 industry publication accolades. The combined architectural prowess of both leaders has been instrumental in the firm’s continued success, gaining more prominence with each new project completed.
The most recent awards received include American Architecture Awards in 2019 and accolades from multiple chapters of the AIA from 2014 to 2019, including Denver, West Mountain Region, and Colorado. The firm has completed projects in the United States and Canada.
Semple Brown
1160 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204
Semple Brown has made its name in the industry through a number of signature qualities, two of which are its elite level of architecture and interior design. These traits can be seen in its body of work, a mixture of styles that reflect innovative technology and timeless quality.
Leading the firm is Rusty Brown, an AIA and NCARB accredited principal who runs and manages its operations from the design up to the construction stages. Sarah Semple Brown, co-founder of the firm, is an FAIA accredited design principal with almost four decades of industry experience. The two principals work with a skillful team of architects and designers to provide the best service to every client that partners up with the firm. Semple Brown works in both the residential and commercial sectors.
The firm has received several accolades over the past few years, including being named Firm of the Year by AIA Colorado in 2019 and being ranked in the Architect 50 by Architect Magazine in 2018. The firm also enjoys prominence through recognitions from AIA Denver, AIA Colorado, and Historic Denver.
The featured Kerr Residence is a residential project completed by Semple Brown. Built in Cherry Hills Village, the gorgeous property is notable for its blend of classic and contemporary features as well as its asymmetrical style and layout. Its unorthodox design is complemented by beautiful backyard landscaping that makes excellent use of stones and greenery.
TKP Architects
1509 Washington Ave., Golden, CO 80401
TKP Architects has been dubbed the premier architecture firm for high-end custom homes in the Mountain West. The firm lives up to its brand thanks to a strong portfolio of residential projects all worthy of a magazine spread. The award-winning studio is led by Karen Keating and Paul Deardoff, both industry veterans who specialize in residential building and design. The firm’s client-centered operations and creative designs make it a well-rounded studio, proven to be a reliable partner when it comes to residential architecture work. Country club and golf club design are large components of the firm’s operations.
TKP is accredited by the AIA and ASID. In the last decade, the firm’s awards include the AIA Architect’s Choice Award, HBA’s Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (CARE) Award, and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA) Newman Award. Community sites have also applauded the company’s service and design work through recognition in third party sites.
The Denver Tudor pictured showcases the studio’s crisp craftsmanship, its traditional style perfectly designed and built by TKP. An almost regal vibe emanates from the property, stemming from the high-end materials used to build the estate, with a framework made up of layers of stone, metal, and wood. The multifaceted home exudes luxury, a home fit for those who can afford a lavish lifestyle.
Tomecek Studio
3222 Tejon St., Studio C, Denver, CO 80211
Tomecek Studio’s core values revolve around several attributes that aim for exceptional output not only in terms of the quality of work but in customer service. Design excellence, innovative methods, and environmental stewardship are strictly observed: energy-efficient and sustainable building play a big part in the firm’s business operations. Studio principal Brad Tomecek is an AIA accredited architect and a LEED Building, Design, and Construction (BD + C) fellow. His resume includes high profile hallmarks being the AIA Denver President in 2017 and the AIA National Young Architect Award locally and nationally.
The studio’s trophy case is bursting. Some recent wins include the 2019 AIA Colorado Merit Award for its work on Festival Park, the 2018 American Architecture Award for the Sunset Pavilion, and the 2017 AIA National Small Project Award for the Sunset Pavilion project. Accreditations of the studio include AIA, NCARB, and LEED. Featured is the Mallard Creek residence in the Colorado town of Berthoud.
How can I find an architect or home builder near me?
Read our latest articles on the best architects and home builders in and near Aurora. If you don’t see your project type below, just let us know – we are happy to create a tailored recommendation list just for you.
Custom home builders in Denver
Custom home builders in Boulder
Custom home builders in Colorado Springs
Custom home builders in Colorado
About Our Rankings
This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.
Get Bids For Your Build
If you are thinking about building a custom home, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.
