How do I start a project with Arshia Architects?

You may contact our studio through our website or by email. We schedule an initial consultation to discuss goals, site conditions, and your overall vision, then outline next steps, timelines, and regulatory considerations.

What is the process of working with Arshia Architects?

Our process includes feasibility studies, conceptual design, design development, BIM-driven documentation, permitting support, contractor selection, and construction administration to ensure the design intent is carried through to completion.

How long does the design and construction process take?

Design and permitting typically require 6–18 months depending on scope and jurisdiction. Construction for most residential projects requires 12–24 months.

Do you work on both renovations and new construction projects?

Yes. We design both new construction and transformative renovations for residential and commercial clients. We advise when new construction may be more feasible than a substantial remodel.

What sets Arshia Architects apart from other firms?

Our work merges award-winning design excellence with deep technical expertise in Los Angeles' most complex jurisdictions. We use an integrated BIM workflow and design architecture grounded in context, dialogue, and structural clarity.

Do you provide services for hillside or complex terrain sites?

Yes. We specialize in hillside, WUI, and complex sites governed by the Baseline Hillside Ordinance, Coastal Development Permits, and other overlays, addressing structural, grading, and fire requirements.

How experienced are you with Los Angeles permitting and zoning?

We have decades of experience navigating LADBS, the Mulholland Scenic Corridor, Coastal Commission/CDP, WUI regulations, Hillside Ordinances, and multi-agency plan checks, helping streamline approvals and minimize delays.

Do you offer feasibility studies or pre-design services?

Yes. We offer feasibility studies, zoning evaluations, and conceptual planning to help clients understand what is possible on their site before committing to full architectural services.

Do you work outside Los Angeles?

Yes. We take on select projects throughout California and internationally, supported by BIM workflows that enable seamless remote collaboration with clients and consultants.

Do you use BIM on all projects?

Yes. Every project utilizes a coordinated BIM model to enhance precision, streamline consultant integration, and improve clarity during design, permitting, and construction.

Can you help with contractor selection or bidding?

Yes. We assist with contractor pre-qualification, bid review, scope alignment, and comparative analysis to help clients select the right contractor for their project.

Do you assist with interior design or landscape coordination?

Yes. We provide interior design services and coordinate closely with landscape architects to ensure continuity between architecture, interiors, and the surrounding site.

Bold Architecture. Purposeful Design. Enduring Icons

About Us

Arshia Architects is a Los Angeles–based design practice focused on contemporary architecture that is both formally rigorous and technically precise. Our work begins with a simple mandate: powerful design thinking paired with expert execution. We aim for architecture that exceeds the sum of its parts—projects that enrich daily life, elevate their sites, and endure over time.

The studio’s work has received more than fifty national and international distinctions, including honors from the American Institute of Architects, the Los Angeles Architectural Awards, the Architecture MasterPrize, DNA Paris, IIDA, the Calibre Awards, the Built Design Awards, and the Japan Architect Award. Our work has been widely published and was selected by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Los Angeles for the first retrospective on contemporary architecture in Southern California, featuring 35 practices redefining the post-modern landscape.

Award-winning architects for custom residential design and bespoke commercial

At Arshia Architects, our work is driven by a bold vision: to redefine the built environment through innovative design, technical precision, and a deep understanding of cultural and environmental context. This commitment has earned us numerous awards and widespread recognition in contemporary architecture.

Explore Our Award-Winning Work

What We Do

Arshia Architects designs contemporary architecture across residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, and mixed-use contexts. We specialize in complex sites and high-performance buildings where design intelligence, environmental strategy, and technical clarity have meaningful impact. Our involvement spans early discovery through post-occupancy stewardship to ensure that each decision supports long-term value and design integrity.

Aerial view of potential site - site scouting and evaluation

Pre-Design Advisory

We help clients understand the full potential of a site before a project begins — bringing strategic clarity to high-stakes decisions.

Site scouting and evaluation
Feasibility and entitlement studies
Development proformas and capitalization strategy
Regulatory and zoning alignment
Selective AI-supported analysis for site constraints and planning

These early assessments define opportunities, constraints, timelines, and overall project viability.

Architecture & Design

Our architectural process is grounded in conceptual clarity, formal rigor, and a deep engagement with site, program, and material. We begin with a careful study of context and develop ideas through iterative drawings, models, and digital prototypes to create architecture that is intentional and enduring.

Selective AI-assisted analysis and BIM-integrated workflows support this process—refining options, improving performance, and coordinating systems—while always remaining secondary to design authorship and architectural vision. Our work spans: