Known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant downtown area, and diverse population, Fort Lauderdale is a popular destination for tourists and retirees alike. It offers a variety of residential areas that people can own or rent, from luxurious waterfront homes to affordable apartments. The city also has a tight-knit community that celebrates and holds activities year-round.
Listed below are the best residential architects in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These firms have been behind the city’s charming neighborhoods filled with stunning houses. They have all the necessary training and experience in creating a stylish and functional home, and have helped countless homeowners save money by designing energy-efficient, easy-to-maintain properties.
STRANG Architecture
330 N Andrews Ave, Suite 102, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
STRANG Architecture is a 25-year-old design firm respected for advancing the principles of regional modernism in extraordinary locations worldwide. With a team of 65 inspired professionals, the firm is dedicated to providing clients with a smooth-running process and innovative solutions that bring their visions to life. Its work has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally, with over 45 awards, including the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA) Firm of the Year award in 2022. The firm’s founding principal, Max Strang, a fellow of the AIA, was also named Architect of the Year by AIA Miami in 2022. STRANG’s success is attributed to its deep commitment to the craft and its client-focused approach.
Tarpon Bend, a regional modernist house located at the merge of two small rivers, is an example of STRANG’s sustainable design work that incorporates site-specific and climate-specific considerations. The rectilinear frame is unified by vertical fins that address shading and privacy concerns, while cross-ventilation, deep overhangs, solar panels, and a mechanical water system promote sustainability and wellness. The house is both timeless and one with nature, providing its inhabitants with a healthy and comfortable living environment.
SDH Studio Architecture + Design
18200 NE 19th Ave. Suite 100, North Miami Beach, Florida 33162
SDH Studio Architecture + Design is an award-winning architecture and interior design practice founded in 2012 by Stephanie Halfen. It specializes in the design of luxury custom homes, commercial projects, and office spaces. The firm is known for its innovative designs that integrate the interior and exterior spaces to create a seamless connection between the user and their surroundings. Its commitment to sustainability is also evident in its research and implementation of the latest design and building practices. The firm’s efforts have been recognized by Expertise and named the Best Architect in Miami for three consecutive years.
This beautiful family home is a minimalist assembly of structures on the edge of the Golden Beach canal. The Residence was designed for outdoor living, emphasizing water views and a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces. The installation pattern emphasizes the verticality of the stone exterior, and the balcony creates a covered space for cars. Upon entry, a beautiful double-height entry space ties to the double height in the main living room, which features large, open fenestration and expansive waterway views.
AZD Associates
1121 NW 51st Ct, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Founded in 1990 by visionary partners Kevin Akey and Frank Zychowski, AZD Associates is a renowned architectural firm known for its exceptional design expertise. Its eleven-person team has consistently demonstrated a commitment to delivering innovative and site-sensitive designs for a wide range of projects, including both new constructions and renovations. The firm’s portfolio spans custom residential and commercial endeavors, displaying versatility in handling projects of varying scales, site complexities, and architectural styles. Its success is rooted in the team’s unwavering dedication to creating designs that harmonize with their clients’ unique needs and aspirations.
Over the years, AZD Associates has earned recognition and accolades for its outstanding work. This includes three prestigious Home of the Year awards, the AIA Home Tour Award for Design Excellence, and the distinction of being selected as Architectural Digest’s Open Audition Winner. It has also been featured in various publications, such as HGTV, Better Homes and Gardens, Custom Home Magazine, and Michigan Blue Magazine. These honors underscore the firm’s dedication to architecture and interior design excellence.
Choeff Levy Fischman
8425 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 201, Miami, FL 33138
Highly acclaimed Choeff Levy Fischman specializes in custom luxury homes, multi-family developments, and hotels. Founded in 1983, the firm has elevated its design quality to garner the attention of global entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, NFL players, MLB players, and Hollywood celebrities. The firm’s expertise combines indoor-outdoor living design and environmental architecture to create harmonious spaces that blend well with their surroundings. Its signature Tropical Modern design style has won the hearts of homeowners in all climates who desire an indoor-outdoor luxury lifestyle. The firm’s work has been prominently featured in publications like Architectural Digest, Dwell, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Robb Report, and more.
The Fort Lauderdale Residence, recently featured in ISLAND – The Journal of Lauderdale Living, is a striking showcase of modern design with a strong focus on outdoor living. Designed for an NFL athlete, this waterfront home spans over 5,000 square feet and has a unique “pod-concept” design, allowing seamless access from both the outdoors and interior connections. Its monochromatic palette is infused with tropical touches from the surroundings, creating a serene, modern backdrop. Using shades of gray, white, and wood, the architects achieved a contemporary style reminiscent of Palm Springs, Brazil, and Miami, blending geometric forms with lush landscaping for a visually captivating atmosphere.
BpA Architecture
4801 S. University Dr., Suite 126, Davie, FL 33328
BpA Architecture has been serving residents of Florida for almost two decades. It has built a reputation for excellence, focusing on custom home design, as well as a diverse range of residential and commercial projects. The firm’s team is exceptionally skilled in bringing a client’s vision, ideas, and goals to life, emphasizing the transformation of concepts into tangible realities. Previous clients have commended its smooth design process and meticulous attention to detail, as well as its assurance that their projects are well-conceived and completed on time. The firm also actively engages in sustainable design practices and is a proud National Sustainable Building Council member.
At the helm of BpA Architecture is Bruce Anchell, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional (AP) with over three decades of professional experience in the field. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the firm, having earned design and architecture degrees from the University of Florida and the University of Miami, respectively. Anchell’s LEED accreditation emphasizes his commitment to sustainable design principles, further enhancing the firm’s capabilities in creating innovative and environmentally responsible architectural solutions.
Fathi Architects
4620 SW 55th Ave., Davie, FL 33314
Founded in 1997, Fathi Architects is recognized for its ability to infuse its designs with memorable imagery and a strong regional identity. The firm is dedicated to delivering cost-effective designs that yield profitable results for developers and create efficiently operated structures for dwellers. The firm’s principals are deeply involved in every project’s design process, leading the firm to boast a strong track record of on-time, on-budget projects of various types, including complex corporate endeavors. Its design team prioritizes functionality and incorporates the latest technology into each project, handling everything from schematic design to final construction documents and delivery.
Led by Asghar Fathi, an experienced architect with over 24 years in the field, Fathi Architects has undertaken a diverse range of projects, from complex mixed-use developments and hotels to custom homes, spiritual buildings, office spaces, storage facilities, schools, shopping centers, and sports facilities. Regardless of the project type, its portfolio showcases its dedication to creating unique and functional spaces that leave a lasting impression. This has led the firm to garner recognition in esteemed publications such as The Washington Times, New York Post, Sun Sentinel, The Journal Record, and Living in a Container, further solidifying its renowned reputation in architecture and design.