The Best Residential Architects in New Jersey

Last updated on December 11th, 2024 at 04:41 am

Finding the right residential architect in New Jersey ensures a successful project. With factors such as cost, timeline, and quality at stake, homeowners need to make informed decisions. The average residential project in New Jersey ranges from $100,000 to $350,000, with costs soaring up to $500,000 depending on the cost per square foot, which averages $189.72. Typically, these projects can take up to nine months to complete, assuming there are no unexpected issues—a common occurrence in construction.

New Jersey, home to approximately 9.262 million people, boasts a median home value of $1,441,000, reflecting its vibrant and diverse real estate market. As recorded by permit data from the state’s building department, 91 contractors specialize in residential projects, so there is no shortage of professionals ready to bring your dream home to life. However, this abundance of options can make the selection process overwhelming, underscoring the importance of choosing the right architect for your project.

If you’re planning a residential project in New Jersey and need help figuring out where to start, we are here to help. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best architects in New Jersey. These professionals stand out for their expertise, creativity, and proven track record, ensuring your home is in capable hands.

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Overview: The Best Residential Architects in New Jersey

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more. 

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Clawson Architects

511 Valley St., Maplewood, NJ 07040

One of Clawson Architects’ signature traits is the tendency to proactively take on challenging residential design projects. Its establishment has brought more elegant and highly detailed homes to New Jersey clients who have been privy to the firm’s varied portfolio of more than 600 beautiful homes. So far, these include pieces that come in the modern, traditional, Mediterranean, and Craftsman styles that have been featured in publications like Architectural Digest and Period Homes Magazine. One of the renowned architects in New Jersey, the studio received the AIA Design Awards in 2022.

The Erwin Park Home, for one, is a beautiful piece that lights up Montclair with its light-paletted shingle facade. This residential home was once a simple cottage built in 1960. Clawson Architects transformed it into a whimsical two-story craftsman with new design elements like deeper overhangs, double brackets, and curving walls from the gable into the center shed roof. Despite its quiet presence, this residence is an award-winning piece given the American Institute of Architects’s (AIA) 2020 Gold Medal for Design Excellence.

The Erwin Park Home for one is a beautiful piece that lights up Montclair with its light paletted shingle facade. This residential home was once a simple cottage built in 1960 but with Clawson Architects, it was transformed into a whimsical two-story craftsman with new design elements like deeper overhangs, double brackets, and curving walls from the gable into the center shed roof. Despite its quiet presence, this residence is an award-winning piece that was given the American Institute of Architects (AIA)’s 2020 Gold Medal for Design Excellence.

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Seth A. Leeb Architect

1719 Route 10 East Ste. #100, Parsippany, NJ 07054

From the countryside farmlands to the suburban neighborhoods and city metros, Seth A. Leeb Architects is a familiar name for many New Jersey locals. Since its establishment, the firm has completed a plethora of structures. Its large volume of work has been the topic of interest in various publications, such as Dream Houses of New Jersey, Builder/Architect Magazine, and Old House Interiors Magazine.

This highly motivated firm is well-known for devising solutions for zoning restrictions, historical issues, or tight budgets while still completing its collection of traditional and Craftsman homes. Its custom homes, renovations, and tenant fit-outs have been the result of its work with clients in Texas, Vermont, and New York.

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RHG Architecture + Design

491 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042

Holistic and engaging pieces have been RHG Architecture + Design’s bread and butter since its establishment. Over the years, this boutique firm has completed various pieces that adapt to the modern era and bend to the uniqueness of the home or business owner. These pieces have gained the attention of professionals from publications like Lepere, DesignNJ, Kitchen + Bath Ideas, Sophisticated Living, and One Kind Design, among several others. The inspired modern and contemporary designs that have gathered eyes from these publications can be spotted in both the regional and international markets. Currently, RHG Architecture + Design’s talented team is guided by the expertise of founder Rachael Grochowski. Prior to founding her own firm, Grochowski’s project scope ranged from five-star restaurants like the Lafite in Kuala Lumpur’s Shangri-La Hotel to the flagship Greenhouse Spa in NYC. 

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Stonewater Architecture

350 Springfield Ave. Ste. #200, Summit, NJ 07901

Stonewater Architecture’s portfolio presents an expert touch. Since its establishment, Stonewater Architecture has expanded its reach from New Jersey and New York all the way to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Florida. These areas have been the spots for beautiful residentials that present various designs ranging from the traditional to the Tudor, modern, colonial, and Craftsman styles. Joining the leading New Jersey architects, the company has been featured by Luxe Interiors + Design in 2022.

One great example of the firm’s skills is the Tudor-style home in Summit, New Jersey. Unlike the usual Tudor homes, this residence blends this historic style with modernity. The high ceilings draw attention to this floor plan, which includes classic embellishments, hand-carved limestone surrounds, timber detailing, and leaded windows. This home was awarded AIA New Jersey’s 2012 Silver medal from the organization’s annual design competition.

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Beer Architectural Group

112 Town Center Dr., Warren, NJ 07059

Beer Architectural Group’s experience throughout the Northeast and Southwest U.S. is inspired by bold architecture. It has a portfolio of unique contemporary and traditional architecture. Its work on modern, colonial, Victorian, and traditional homes has been recognized by publications like New York Spaces Magazine, Dream Homes of N.J., New Jersey House & Home, and Forbes.

Among its many works, Beer Architectural Group’s most notable one is the castle-like Sommerset house—a French country-style residence in New York. Beer Architectural Group has a long list of beautiful pieces like this, and they are all guided by Jeffrey Beer’s expertise. With his passion and discriminating eye for detail, Beer can transform unique spaces into the firm’s bold style while still reflecting the client’s preferences and lifestyle.

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RS Mannino Architects + Builders

38 Park Ave. 3rd Floor, Rutherford, NJ 07070

RS Mannino Architects + Builders has a diverse team that balances its strong architecture skills with a strong background in construction. Over the years, it has become a specialist in providing different types of residences. As a result, the company has been featured in publications like Design NJ and Vue.

Among its many projects, its most notable one is the Cliffside Contemporary in Cliffside Park. This beautiful modern home design combines four different forms: porcelain boxes, glass boxes, metal roofs/facades, and concrete stairs that together highlight panoramic views of the surrounding area. The home’s interiors utilize minimalist design and warm textures. The living room has an open layout, designed with minimal walls needed to support the floors above and provide enough storage and privacy while creating a breathable space. Meanwhile, the central floor opens from the first floor to the roof, where a large window invites a skylight into the center of the house.

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Appel Design Group

220 South Orange Ave. Ste. #100, Livingston, NJ 07039

APPEL DESIGN GROUP, P.A., ARCHITECTS is a second-generation firm founded to provide comprehensive architectural services to both public and private clients. Its 13-person, award-winning firm in Livingston, NJ, continues its focus on collaborative architectural design and creative problem-solving for various projects. The firm’s success is directly attributable to an emphasis on professional service and expertise in creative problem-solving. The principals and staff encourage an interactive design process with the client, ensuring a design solution clearly addresses a project’s requirements. ADG is recognized for implementing creatively, effectively designed, and logically constructed projects. This strength is continually proven by many clients who return to us with repeat commissions.

ADG has long-term experience with a wide range of project types. The firm has a portfolio of successfully completed projects ranging from institutional and commercial to housing developments, both public and private, as well as custom single-family new homes and renovations. We also specialize in multi-family and mixed-use redevelopment work. Their experience with these diverse projects and building types throughout the tri-state area has allowed them to develop familiarity and expertise with code issues on all levels, from local/municipal to state and federal agencies that have jurisdiction. Appel Design Group has won dozens of Metropolitan Builders Association of New Jersey awards over the past 20 years for commercial and residential renovations and new construction for residential and mixed-use development projects.

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WESKetch Architecture, Inc.

1932 Long Hill Rd., Millington, NJ 07946

WESKetch Architecture, Inc. is a design-build firm committed to designing healthy environments. With a team of collaborative and highly experienced professionals, the firm has completed an extensive array of projects. In the residential sector, the firm has designed homes in various styles, including the traditional, Craftsman, Victorian, modern, farmhouse, and Tudor styles.

One notable work is a Craftsman Farmhouse revival in New Providence. Previously a Cape Cod-style house, this simple residence features a double-gabled front roof and a full porch. Meanwhile, the interiors have hints of exposed brick, black doors that balance out the home’s light palette, and blacksmith-finished pendant fixtures. Projects like these have gained firm attention from publications like The Wall Street Journal, Design NJ, This Old House, and New York Spaces, among many others.

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Bol Architecture

1127 Watching Ave., Plainfield, NJ 07060

For Bol Architecture, combining tradition with hints of contemporary innovation and technology is the backbone of every project. Since its establishment, the firm has completed works in various markets.

For its distinctive new homes and additions, Bol Architecture has been featured in publications like Design NJ, Better Homes and Gardens, and New Jersey Monthly, among many other older features that recorded the firm’s skills even years before the present. It has also won the AIA Design Awards Gold Medal.

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Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design Firm

16 Maple St., Summit, NJ 07901

Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design Firm has been known for applying innovative solutions to its architecture and interior design projects. Over the years, its portfolio has flaunted homes in the modern, Victorian, colonial, and Queen styles. Regardless of the project type, the firm is known for respecting historic patterns while considering modern solutions. 

Among its most notable works is a two-story colonial revival residence built with KDH Home Design. With its light salmon and light blue palette, it is a refreshing piece surrounded by foliage, a perfect home for growing a family. Currently, the firm is managed by Dave Rosen, who is praised for being an empathetic leader and business partner committed to all aspects of the firm’s architectural work.

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PK Architecture LLC

472 Westfield Ave., Clark, NJ 07066

PK Architecture has achieved significant milestones with its award-winning projects in New Jersey. The Principal, Paritosh Kumar, with 32 years of experience in this field, strives to enhance the quality of life while preserving public health, safety, and welfare and staying within client budget, timing, and quality control. It continues to pave the way for groundbreaking designs among the premier New Jersey architects.

The firm has received several recognitions from Town Mayors, Dignitaries, Local, State, National, and International Private and Public agencies. Check out their exceptional work at www.pkarchitecturellc.com.

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Montoro Architectural Group

150 West Saddle River Rd., Saddle River, NJ 07458

Montoro Architectural Group has been in the industry long enough to create over 100 projects. The residential homes dominantly come in modern, traditional, colonial, and classic styles. Some have also been spotted in South Jersey all the way to Northern Bergen county.

Though the firm’s portfolio has a collection of beautiful homes, its most notable is the colonial ranch home with 3,000 square feet of area. It is a unique two-story home with a 6,800-square-foot addition complete with a lemonade porch. The home’s charm is reminiscent of a traditional home mixed with modern tweaks. Aside from homes like this, Montoro Architectural Group is also reputable for completing over 100 shopping centers, schools, libraries, medical facilities, and office and apartment buildings. 

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John James Architecture

11 Inwood Place, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040

For over 30 years, John James Architecture (JJA) has led over 700 projects across New Jersey. The firm expertly handles designs for new homes, renovations, and estates. Their expertise and architectural style range from classic to modern homes. JJA’s top-notch design is rooted in its commitment to working closely with clients, one project at a time. This approach allows JJA’s professional team of architects and interior designers to create a design that reflects their clients and JJA’s artistry. Their ability to bring creative solutions through meaningful designs is one of the reasons why repeat clients keep coming back.

This Shingle-style home, nestled on a hill in Summit, exudes timeless elegance with alternating gambrel roofs, adding a dynamic character to the design. The home’s exterior features grey-blue fieldstone, white clapboard, and a warm cedar roof. JJA’s thoughtful design for this home strikes a balance between grandeur and charm, and its architectural details are in harmony with the surrounding landscape. This home perfectly captured JJA’s craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, creating a home that is both sophisticated and welcoming.

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SOSH Architects

1020 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

SOSH Architects was established more than four decades ago. Since then, the firm has grown to the point of worldwide recognition, which can be credited to a highly skilled team of design professionals and support staff. During the decades of work, the firm has worked in a plethora of markets. In the residential sector, its portfolio displays a variety of designs, from modern to traditional, to meet the desired design aesthetic of the client. 

Among these homes is a highly distinctive contemporary home in Longport. At 4,500 square feet, it has a bold geometric design clad in contrasting white and wood paneling. Oriented towards the sea, its windows maximize ocean views while showcasing the double-level living space. The interior, meanwhile, has a modern sensibility with vibrant art pieces that give the space personality.

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Aric Gitomer Architect, LLC

30 Emerson Rd., Morris Plains, NJ 07950

Aric Gitomer Architect is a firm that grew through word-of-mouth advertising. Since its establishment, its projects have commonly presented modern, traditional, and colonial styles. As one of the leading architects in New Jersey, it has been exposed to different publications like Architect Magazine, Medium, Buzzfeed, and ArchDaily, among others. One of its most distinctive projects is the M. Residence in Verona. 

Possessing a more open plan after the firm completed its work, it was redesigned for a bigger space. The firm expanded the front of the house and added a 1,000-square-foot second floor. Learn more about them at aricgitomerarchitect.com

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The Architect’s Studio

Offices and Design Studios in Spring Lake, Manasquan and Ocean Grove, NJ

The Architect’s Studio was founded by Mark Alexander Pavliv, who is celebrating over 50 years of architectural design practice. The firm focuses on residential projects, but it is best recognized for historic home renovations and landmark restorations throughout the Jersey Shore and the greater Northeast Region.

The Architect’s Studio, under the direction of its founder, has been awarded the AIA New Jersey Architect of the Year. Before founding his own firm, Pavliv was associated with Beyer Blinder & Belle. At this prestigious New York architectural and planning firm, he worked as senior associate and director of project development and received the Presidential Design Achievement Award presented at White House ceremonies. With his experience, the firm has envisioned design solutions that have garnered the attention of publications such as This Old House and Interior Design. Learn more about them at springlakearchitect.com

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Max Parangi Architects

7 Daniel Dr., Englewood, NJ 07631

Though Max Parangi Architects was first opened as a boutique architectural firm, it has grown a reputation for developing distinguished architecture that eventually became recognized by both national and international clients. Over the years, it has completed projects in various markets. 

Among its most notable residential projects is the Englewood Cliffs estate. One of the neighborhood’s most impressive estates, it has been featured in several magazines. Alongside an incredible great room, it has an open floor plan highlighting cathedral ceilings embellished with 16×16 skylights and exposed stained beams. The interiors have travertine and granite flooring and classic countertops to highlight its classical design. The facade, meanwhile, is made of imported Jerusalem stone slabs that pair nicely with a beautiful clay roof. For builds such as these, the firm has been featured in publications such as Westchester Business Journal, New York Spaces, and New Jersey Home & Style, among many others.

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Vincentsen Blasi Architecture

552 Westfield Ave., Westfield, NJ 07090

Vincentsen Blasi Architecture was established a decade ago. Over the years, it has provided architectural and planning services for clients across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. These clients have seen residential projects that dominantly present modern, traditional, Tudor, and Mediterranean styles. Among its most notable pieces is the Tudor-style home in Mendham, New Jersey. The first floor has a library with a mezzanine level, a study, and an indoor pool. Meanwhile, the lower level has more entertainment spaces like the theater and bowling lanes. The exterior is a blend of slate, granite field stone, and stucco with stained mahogany battens and precast details.

High-end projects like these have gained the firm attention of publications like Westfield Monthly and N.J. Magazine. The firm has also gathered awards like the 2018 Harry Devlin Award, the National Historic Trust’s Home of the Year Award, the Great American Home Award, and the Westfield N.J. Historical Preservation Award.

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Daniel Scott Mascione Architect, LLC

1409 New Rd., Northfield, NJ 08225

Daniel Scott Mascione Architect’ 25 years of experience started with new construction. Over the years, this work has extended to various other sectors. Among the leading New Jersey architects, it continues to earn praise from past clients who come back for its service.

Regardless of the project, the firm has demonstrated sharp skills in all of the team’s services: planning, occupancy, and more.

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Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the residential architects in the New Jersey area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

• Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
• Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
• Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
• Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
• License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
• Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.

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