Last updated on May 27th, 2024 at 06:57 am
Mission Viejo is a developing residential city in Orange County with easy access to nearby business districts. The city is known for being the largest master-planned community built as a single project, which provided the city a plentiful selection of neighborhoods. Those who are looking for new homes in Mission Viejo or upgrading existing ones should consider hiring an architect to ensure a seamless process.
This list features the best residential architecture firms in the city. These firms have the industry experience and the knowledge of the area and its intricacies in order to build well-designed homes. To come up with this list, our editorial team compiled a shortlist of local architects and assessed each using a set of criteria. We took each firm’s work history, capacity, awards, accomplishments, then took the overall quality of work into consideration. The result is this list of the best of Mission Viejo.
Benjamin John Stevens Architect
25251 Via Piedra Blanca, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Since 2009, Benjamin John Stevens Architect has designed homes in cities all over the country: Baltimore, San Diego, San Francisco, and Laguna Beach. The architect Benjamin John Stevens is a product of the University of Cincinnati’s architecture and masters of architecture programs. He is licensed in the states of California, Hawaii, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Stevens is equipped with years of industry experience and he has a reputation for high consideration for design.
The firm has an interesting selection of residential projects in the Modern and Transitional home styles. The home featured in the photo is an extensive remodeling project completed by the firm in the Dover Shores neighborhood at Newport Beach. The project has a minimal appeal achieved through neutral colors and wooden tones.
d’Arcy and Associates Architecture
18 Technology Dr., Ste. #158, Irvine, CA 92618
With a passion for architecture, d’Arcy and Associates Architecture offers full-scale services all throughout California. Charles d’Arcy III is a passionate architect trained at the University of Arizona. He takes the leadership position and the responsibility that comes with the role. He understands the needs and desires of local residents. The firm takes thorough care of the architectural process from the pre-design stage up to the construction observation.
The firm’s residential design portfolio is loaded with thoughtful, tasteful projects in varying home styles. The featured project is Three Arch Bay, a private gated community. The home is neatly tucked in the bayside where it takes advantage of the panoramic views. d’Arcy designed the home to be elegant and functional at the same time.
Elements Architecture
6B Liberty, Ste. #100, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Elements Architecture is an architectural firm skilled in beautiful and functional spaces. Elements is experienced in both commercial and residential outputs, giving the firm a unique perspective on the industry. The firm is composed of a team of brilliant architects and seasoned design professionals. The triad of Steve Camp, Angela Camp, and Scott Holland take charge of the company operations. The leadership imposed a strong emphasis on top-quality craftsmanship and functional design. The firm’s portfolio reflects these design principles.
Elements Architecture has an impressive arsenal of Contemporary residential projects. The featured project is a 3,200-square-foot estate built on a sloping hillside. The home is dubbed the Falcon House, alluding to the winged silhouette prominently displayed.
Everson Powell Architecture and Design
305 N Coast Hwy., Ste. P, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Guided by the architectural philosophy of work commitment from start to finish, Everson Powell Architecture and Design is an up-and-coming firm with strong knowledge of the local residential architecture industry. Cheves Powell and David Everson are talented architects with a bold outlook and a unique perspective on the business. Powell went to the Georgia Institute of Technology and has worked all over San Diego and Orange County through various architectural firms. Everson, a University of Arizona alumnus, has worked for Architecture and Planning firms in Idaho, Arizona, and California.
Looking at the firm’s portfolio of residential projects will give an unfiltered view of the firm’s taste and high level of execution. In the photo, a Transitional home with a modest exterior: a great example of the firm’s work. The project has over 10,725-square-feet of living space and a half-acre lot overlooking the Riviera Golf Course.
Eyoh Design
1050 Calle Cordillera, Unit 102, San Clemente, CA 92673
Eyoh Design is a full-service residential design firm specializing in custom residential and interior design projects. The firm acknowledges the importance of design in performing residential works. Dustin and Alex Morris came from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, and they serve as Principal Designers for the company. The Morrises have espoused design as a way of looking at the world. The firm understands the role of design plays in the way spaces interact with people.
Eyoh has completed major residential projects in various styles including Modern and Mid-century. The Ocean Breeze, a home with a tasteful selection of detailing and strategic use of design, is a great example of the firm’s work. The home has concise and cohesive detailing that goes around the interior and exterior.
FoxLin Architects
392 Camino de Estrella, San Clemente, CA 92672
Michael Fox and Juintow Lin met at MIT about 20 years ago. Right after finishing their studies, the two went to New York and London, respectively. In 2008, after residing in California for several years, the two established FoxLin Architects. Fox has an impressive background in architecture and design. He is a Professor at Cal Poly Pomona and a regular visiting professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Lin has an equally compelling experience. She worked with Pritzker Award-winning firms Foster and Partners in London and the famed Marmol Radziner in California. It is unsurprising that the firm has been lauded with multiple awards including the AIA LA Honors Award in 2006 and the AIAOC Citation Award for Residential in 2015. FoxLin has also frequented the pages of major design publications including Archinect, Dwell, Architectural Record, and ARCHITECT Magazine.
FoxLin has a compelling portfolio of Modern and Contemporary residential projects showing the firm’s keen eye for design and heart for sustainability. The 1045 Balboa is a three-storey duplex project consisting of 3,421 square feet of living space. The project features two unique dwelling units each with their own design features and spatial qualities. The first unit faces Balboa Boulevard and features a stair tower clothed in a green screen with a large master patio, living room balcony, and a roof deck. The second unit offers a two-storey, double-height kitchen, and a roof-deck which provides views of the Pacific Ocean.
Horst Architects
247a Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Founded in 1990, Horst Architects is an award-winning firm with a multidisciplinary approach to architecture. The firm is recognized for its outstanding design capacity and skill. The firm is the recipient of multiple awards from AIA including the Merit Award in 2016. Horst Noppenberger, namesake and principal of the company, is a respected figure in the local architectural community. He was a member of the City of Laguna Beach Design Review Board from 1996 to 2000 and the Chairman from 1999 to 2000.
The Horst portfolio consists of brilliant Modern and Contemporary homes. The Rockledge, a coastal Contemporary home, is one of the firm’s most outstanding projects. The home provides plenty of natural light and seemingly the ocean and the sky into the home.
Kristine Sprague Architect
944 Calle Amanecer, Suite D, San Clemente, CA 92673
Kristine Sprague is a veteran of over 20 years when it comes to residential design and green architecture. She studied at Cornell University and completed semesters in Rome and in Washington DC. Sprague has extensive experience in working on various projects all over South Orange County. She leads a team of designers and architects providing high-value projects ranging up to a million dollars. She has devised a 3D modeling scheme that presents the vision to clients, and she and her team provide assistance with permitting, bidding, and construction observation.
The firm’s thorough service and wide range of design experience lead to projects like the Spanish Colonial Revival home. The home takes a nod from its original context in 1927 while upgrading some key features for modern use. Sprague made use of the sloping topography by adjusting the silhouette of the home to enhance the quality of the entire residential project.
Lampert Dias Architects
P.O. Box 4565, San Clemente, CA 92674
Lampert Dias Architects is a Southern California-based architectural firm with international operations. The firm has gained prominence in its efforts to make sustainable and energy-efficient residential buildings. Led by Christine Lampert and Carolyn Dias, the firm emphasizes the need for the design process to be personal and tailor-fitted. Lampert is an experienced architect with a track record in multiple industries including commercial, retail, and civic. Dias has an equally varied experience in historical renovation, residential, and commercial designs.
The firm’s residential portfolio includes grand designs such as this 3,400-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival home influenced by the Andalusian Architecture from Southern Spain. The home has a subtle exterior that presents a confident, yet inconspicuous appearance.
MYD studio
57 Vantis Dr., Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
MYD studio is a custom residential company run by Lauren Moss and Jason Yaw. Moss is an alumnus of UC Berkeley and a former member of the faculty in Cal State Fullerton’s Green Architectural Design program. Her expertise in sustainable design provides the foundation for MYD and its operations. Mr. Yaw attended the University of Southern California. He has 15 years of experience providing Contemporary residential projects across Orange County. The duo knows that collaboration and integrated design-build are key in significant builds.
Together, the MYD leadership offers a comprehensive set of architectural services. These services enable the firm to provide outstanding projects in a variety of styles. MYD has a distinctive eye for functionality and a unique aesthetic. The firm’s residential projects provide a lasting impression of the firm’s design capabilities. The featured project, a Modern home with a sleek exterior, is the perfect fit for contemporary California living.
Peters Architecture
23177 La Cadena Dr., Ste. #101, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Known for the virtues of collaboration and innovation, Peters Architecture has gained the trust of Southern California homeowners since its inception in 2006. The firm has a straightforward approach to residential architectural design. Austin Peters and his team believe that clearly-stated values and a cohesive team of professionals will get a job done gracefully. So the firm makes its operations clear-cut and balanced with humanistic considerations. Peters has been featured by the likes of Digs, Los Angeles Times, California Home+Design, The Spruce, and Home Adore.
The firm’s emphasis on collaboration and teamwork consistently yields outstanding results. The project featured here combines familiar comfort and forward-thinking style in surprising ways. Quaint, comfortable, yet exciting, this home reflects thoughtful design and meticulous execution. The home has 5,450-square-feet of living space distributed over two stories.
South Coast Architects
13 Corporate Plaza Dr., Ste. #210, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Frank Stolz founded South Coast Architects in 1992, leveraging his years in the industry. Stolz and the South Coast team have built lasting relationships by prioritizing the needs of homeowners. The firm has been duly rewarded with a number of awards and accolades, including six Gold Nugget Merit Awards from 1999 to 2018. South Coast is licensed in various states which honed the firm’s expertise in design selection and execution.
South Coast’s portfolio is a treat for homeowners looking for a wide stylistic choice. The firm is experienced in a wide variety of residential projects from Modern, to Tuscan, Spanish, Transitional, and Contemporary. This versatile portfolio displays the firm’s strong relationship with homeowners all over California and the masterful way it handles each project. The Beach Front residence in the photo is a Modern interpretation of a chiseled beach house. The home’s striking organic, bold geometric shapes make it a truly unique fixture.
YNG Architects
1524 Brookhollow Dr., Ste. #6, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Malaysia-born Yenny Ng is a talented architect trained at the University of Nottingham in England. Ng is a recipient of the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) President’s Medal for Architectural Education. Under his tutelage, he established YNG Architects in 2005. The firm has since captured the attention of industry publications, including Architect Magazine. The firm is also accredited by the AIA, RIBA, and the Singapore Institute of Architects. The YNG team’s international background gives the firm an unmatched outlook on the local architectural scene.
The YNG portfolio displays a versatile talent in single-family homes, multi-family homes, commercial projects, and tenant improvement work. The firm has a number of pleasing projects, including this Tuscan home built in Fountain Valley. The home has a luxurious Earth tone exterior achieved through the use of clay and wood.
