Architectural Designer
Your Trusted Architectural Designer for Custom Homes, ADUs & Residential Remodels
Uni Construction delivers full-service architectural design for homeowners and property investors — from custom home design and ADU projects to home additions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, and permit-ready plan sets. One team, every discipline, zero gaps.
Why Uni Construction
The Best Design Engineering Firm for Residential Projects — Built on Two Decades of Preconstruction Expertise
Choosing the right architectural design partner means finding a firm that understands every layer of a residential project — not just the aesthetics, but the codes, the costs, and the construction that follows. That is exactly what Uni Construction was built to do.
With more than twenty years of preconstruction and cost management experience across major projects throughout California, our team coordinates architectural design, structural input, energy compliance, and permitting into a single streamlined workflow so your project moves from concept to approved plan set without delays or finger-pointing between separate consultants.
Unlike firms that only produce drawings or only stamp calculations, we deliver architectural plans informed by real-world construction knowledge — so what we design is what actually gets built, on time and within budget.
Value Points:
- Architectural, structural, and energy compliance under one roof
- Permit-ready plan sets coordinated with drafting, engineering, and permitting teams
- Deep knowledge of local zoning and municipal code requirements
- Site planning and feasibility review before you spend on design
- Design-build integration that keeps design intent and construction execution aligned
- Transparent communication from first call to construction support
ADU Architectural Design
ADU Architect — Every Configuration, Permit-Ready
Accessory dwelling units are one of the most valuable tools available to property owners looking to add rental income, house extended family, or increase long-term property value. But designing an ADU that maximizes your site’s potential while meeting all applicable zoning and building code requirements takes specialized expertise.
As an experienced ADU architect, we handle site evaluation, architectural layout, structural coordination, Title 24 energy compliance, and city submittal for every ADU type permitted under current California law. Our track record across all five configurations gives us practical knowledge of what works, what gets flagged in plan check, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that delay projects by weeks or months.
Detached ADU
New stand-alone structures built on your lot — up to 1,200 square feet under current California ADU law. We design for setback compliance, utility connections, and maximum livable area while keeping construction costs under control.
Attached ADU
Additions that connect directly to your primary dwelling with a separate entrance, kitchen, and bathroom. Our design approach maintains structural integrity of the existing home while creating a fully independent living unit that feels like a natural extension rather than an afterthought.
Garage Conversion
Transform an existing one- or two-car garage into a permitted accessory dwelling unit. We address foundation upgrades, insulation, ventilation, window egress, and parking replacement requirements — all within your current building footprint. Garage conversions remain one of the most cost-effective ways to add an ADU, and our team has completed dozens of them across multiple jurisdictions.
Junior ADU (JADU)
Units of 500 square feet or less carved from the existing footprint of your primary residence. JADUs are among the most cost-effective ways to add a rental unit or multi-generational living space, and our designs maximize functionality within the compact format.
Existing Floor Conversion
Repurpose underused interior space — a bonus room, basement area, or unused wing — into a code-compliant ADU. We evaluate structural capacity, egress paths, plumbing access, and fire separation to convert existing square footage into a legal, permitted dwelling unit.
ADU Design Expertise
ADU Designer — Maximizing Your Property's Potential
The difference between a good ADU designer and a great one comes down to site strategy. Anyone can draw a 400-square-foot studio in a backyard. The real value is in analyzing your property’s zoning, lot coverage allowance, setback dimensions, utility access, and parking requirements — then designing a unit that captures maximum livable space within those constraints.
We approach every ADU engagement with a detailed site analysis before we begin design. This upfront work identifies potential issues — like sewer line routing, tree protection zones, or hillside grading requirements — early in the process, when they are easy to solve rather than expensive to fix. By the time we submit for permit, the plan has already accounted for the variables that trip up less experienced designers.
Custom Home Architecture
Custom Home Architect — Turning Your Vision into a Buildable Plan
Building a new home from the ground up is one of the most significant investments you will ever make. Choosing the right custom home architect determines whether that investment delivers the home you imagined — or becomes an expensive exercise in compromise.
We work with homeowners who have a clear vision for how they want to live and need a design partner who can translate that vision into reality within the constraints of their site, their budget, and local building regulations. Our process begins with an in-depth consultation where we discuss program requirements, aesthetic preferences, and non-negotiable priorities. From there, we develop schematic options, refine the design through collaborative review, and produce a fully coordinated set of construction documents.
If you have been searching for a custom home architect near me who actually understands construction costs and timelines — not just design theory — you are in the right place. Our principal’s background includes preconstruction leadership on projects ranging from single-family residences to large-scale mixed-use developments, which means we design with buildability and budget discipline built in from the start.
Residential Design Services
Full-Service Architectural Design for Home Additions, Remodels & Renovations
Beyond ADU and custom home projects, our team delivers end-to-end residential design services — from room additions and kitchen renovations to complete site planning and construction documentation.
01 — Home Addition & Room Addition Design
Expand your living space with a second story, rear extension, or side addition. We produce architectural layouts, structural plans, and Title 24 energy calculations so your addition integrates seamlessly with the existing structure and sails through plan check.
02 — Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel Layouts
Functional layouts that balance aesthetics with plumbing, electrical, and ventilation realities. Our team produces detailed floor plans, elevation drawings, and specification sheets that general contractors can bid and build from with confidence.
03 — Residential Renovation Planning
Whole-house or phased renovation scopes, documented from demolition plans through finish schedules. We coordinate with structural engineers and energy consultants to deliver a complete package that satisfies city reviewers on the first submittal.
04 — Site Planning & Zoning Review
Before a single line is drawn, we evaluate your lot against current zoning overlays, setback requirements, lot coverage limits, height restrictions, and parking ratios. This upfront analysis prevents costly redesigns and ensures your project is buildable as designed.
05 — Architectural Drafting Services — Permit-Ready Plan Sets
One unified plan set that includes architectural drawings, structural details, Title 24 reports, and site plans — ready for city submittal. Our architectural drafting services are prepared to meet city submittal standards and designed to minimize plan check corrections. No chasing separate consultants, no conflicting details, no wasted revision cycles.
Design-Build Architecture
Design-Build Architect — One Team from Drawing Board to Final Walkthrough
Hiring separate professionals for design and construction creates a natural gap where miscommunication, finger-pointing, and cost overruns thrive. A design-build architect eliminates that gap by keeping design intent and construction execution under one roof.
At Uni Construction, our design-build approach means the same team developing your architectural plans also understands material costs, subcontractor sequencing, and constructability constraints. We do not design details that look impressive on paper but cost twice your budget to build. Every decision is informed by real-world pricing and field experience, which keeps your project aligned with your financial goals from the very first sketch.
What Is Design-Build Architecture?
It is a project delivery method where a single firm provides both architectural design and construction services under one contract. Instead of hiring an architect to produce drawings and then bidding those drawings to multiple contractors — a process that often results in value engineering, redesigns, and adversarial relationships — the design-build model gives you one accountable team from concept through completion.
The benefits are straightforward: faster timelines because design and preconstruction overlap rather than running sequentially, fewer change orders because the builder is involved in design decisions from the beginning, and a single point of contact who owns every aspect of your project’s success.
Our Process
How We Work With You — From First Call to Approved Permit
We have refined a four-phase process that keeps residential projects on track from the initial conversation through permit approval and construction support.
Step 1 — Discovery & Site Review
We assess your property, review zoning constraints, and define the project scope before any design work begins.
Step 2 — Concept & Layout Design
Preliminary floor plans and site layouts are developed, reviewed with you, and revised until the design matches your vision and budget.
Step 3 — Construction Documentation
Full plan sets with architectural, structural, and energy compliance details — coordinated and packaged for city submittal.
Step 4 — Permitting & Construction Support
We submit to the city, manage plan check corrections, and remain available through construction for questions and field changes.
Ready to Work With an Architectural Designer Who Gets It Right the First Time?
Request a free project consultation. We will review your property, scope your project, and provide a clear proposal — typically within 48 hours.
Service Area
Architectural Design Services Across Los Angeles & the San Gabriel Valley
Uni Construction serves homeowners, property investors, and small developers throughout Los Angeles County. Our team has completed ADU, addition, remodel, and custom home projects in dozens of jurisdictions across the region.
Cities Served:
· Los Angeles
· Diamond Bar
· Pasadena
· West Covina
· Alhambra
· Arcadia
· Rosemead
· Temple City
· Glendora
· Covina
· Monrovia
· El Monte
· Hacienda Heights
· Rowland Heights
· Walnut
· Pomona
· San Dimas
· La Verne
· Azusa
· Whittier
· Downtown Los Angeles
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Architectural Design Services
Q: What makes Uni Construction different from other architectural designers?
A: Our advantage is integration. Unlike firms that only draft plans or only stamp calculations, we coordinate architectural design, structural engineering, energy compliance, and city permitting within a single team. This eliminates the communication gaps, conflicting details, and schedule delays that homeowners typically experience when managing three or four separate consultants. Combined with over twenty years of preconstruction cost management experience, we deliver plan sets that are not only permit-ready but also construction-ready — designed with real-world budgets and buildability in mind.
Q: What is the difference between an architectural designer and a licensed architect?
A: An architectural designer focuses on the design, space planning, and documentation of residential projects — producing the drawings and coordinated plan sets needed for permit and construction. A licensed architect holds a state-issued license that allows them to stamp certain project types independently. At Uni Construction, our work is coordinated with licensed professionals across all required disciplines — structural engineering, energy compliance, and architectural oversight — so your project receives the full level of professional coordination regardless of scale.
Q: What types of ADU projects can your team handle?
A: We design and coordinate all five ADU configurations recognized under California law: detached ADUs, attached ADUs, garage conversions, junior ADUs (JADUs), and existing floor conversions. Each project type has distinct zoning, setback, utility, and structural requirements, and our team has completed hundreds of ADU projects across multiple jurisdictions throughout Southern California.
Q: Do I need an architect for an ADU?
A: While California law does not require a licensed architect for most ADU projects, having a qualified architectural designer is essential for producing permit-ready plans that meet building codes, zoning requirements, and Title 24 energy standards. Working with an experienced ADU design professional also helps you maximize your site’s potential, avoid plan check corrections, and prevent costly construction surprises. We strongly recommend professional design services for any ADU project — the upfront investment pays for itself many times over in avoided delays and change orders.
Q: How long does the architectural design process take from start to permit?
A: For a straightforward ADU or single-room addition, expect four to six weeks from project kickoff to city submittal. More complex projects like custom homes, whole-house renovations, or second-story additions typically require six to ten weeks of design and documentation. Permitting timelines vary by jurisdiction — some cities approve in two to three weeks while others take eight weeks or more. We manage the plan check correction process to keep your project moving.
Q: Do you provide structural engineering as part of your architectural design services?
A: Yes. Every plan set we produce includes structural coordination. We work directly with licensed structural engineers to develop foundation plans, framing details, shear wall layouts, and connection schedules. This structural input is integrated into your architectural plan set so the city receives one cohesive submittal rather than separate, loosely coordinated packages.
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: We serve homeowners and developers throughout Los Angeles County with a concentration in the San Gabriel Valley — including Diamond Bar, Pasadena, West Covina, Alhambra, Arcadia, Rosemead, Temple City, Glendora, Covina, and surrounding communities. We also take on projects across broader LA County when the scope and location are a good fit.
Q: How much do architectural design services cost for a typical residential project?
A: Pricing depends on project scope and complexity. A garage conversion ADU design package typically starts at a lower range, while a custom detached ADU, second-story addition, or custom home with full structural and energy compliance documentation will sit higher. We provide transparent, fixed-fee proposals after an initial site review and scope discussion — no hourly surprises.
Contact
Together, We Shape the Extraordinary
Interested in working with us? Let’s bring your space to life.