Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Los Angeles
Founded in 1992, Hamilton Architects has established itself as a leading architectural firm serving residential and commercial clients across California, Washington, and Nevada. Our team specializes in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, with expertise in custom home design, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse. We prioritize client-specific needs while balancing cost considerations with aesthetic and functional goals. Our licensed professionals deliver comprehensive services including construction administration, hillside development, and permit expediting.With a multidisciplinary approach and deep knowledge of local zoning codes, we guide projects from concept to completion. Our commitment to design excellence is reflected in award-winning projects spanning retail, hospitality, and civic sectors. The firms leadership includes AIA-certified architects and LEED-accredited professionals dedicated to sustainable and impactful design solutions.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Historic Preservation
Adaptive Reuse
Permit Expediting
Construction Administration
Master Planning
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of architectural expertise across residential and commercial sectors
- Our team includes AIA-certified architects and LEED-accredited professionals
- We provide full-service solutions from design through construction administration
- Specialized in historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects
- Licensed to practice in California, Washington, and Nevada
Associations and certifications
- AIA
- LEED AP
Services
Architecture
Our architectural services create balanced spaces that integrate form, function, and local regulations. We specialize in residential, commercial, and civic projects across Los Angeles. With expertise in zoning codes and construction processes, we deliver designs that meet client goals while maintaining aesthetic integrity. Our team ensures technical precision throughout every project phase.
Interior Design
We craft functional, timeless interiors for residential and hospitality clients. Our approach combines spatial efficiency with material selection and lighting strategies. Projects range from custom homes to restaurant interiors, always aligning interior environments with architectural context. The team focuses on durability and tailored solutions that enhance daily living experiences.
Historic Preservation
Specializing in Los Angeles' architectural heritage, we restore historic buildings while meeting modern requirements. Services include seismic upgrades, accessibility improvements, and adaptive reuse. Our experts maintain original character while enhancing functionality. Projects demonstrate our commitment to preserving cultural assets through technical and design excellence.
Permit Expediting
We streamline Los Angeles' complex permitting process through direct agency coordination. Our team manages entitlements, health department approvals, and SB 9 compliance. With deep knowledge of LADBS and planning department requirements, we reduce delays and ensure smooth project progression from design to construction.
Construction Administration
Our construction administration ensures design intent is maintained throughout building phases. We coordinate with contractors, review shop drawings, and resolve field issues. This oversight protects project quality, budget, and schedule. Services include site visits, document updates, and final inspections to guarantee successful project delivery.
People
John Hamilton
Founder & Architect
John Hamilton, AIA, leads Hamilton Architects with a legacy of Los Angeles design. Graduating from USC's architecture program, he focuses on psychological impacts of design. His expertise spans custom homes and historic renovations, emphasizing functional yet inspiring spaces that reflect his family's architectural heritage.
Violet Malolepsza
Senior Associate
Violet Malolepsza, Senior Associate, brings international perspective to historic preservation projects. With Illinois Tech training and Ghanaian community-building experience, she combines innovation with social responsibility. Her work spans award-winning restaurants to residential projects, balancing aesthetics with practical needs in Los Angeles environments.
Joseph Cohan
Architect
Joseph Cohan, AIA, manages diverse projects from high-end residences to government buildings. A USC graduate, he applies technical expertise to complex developments. His aesthetic sensibility extends beyond architecture to book editing, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach that enhances his problem-solving capabilities in Los Angeles' dynamic building landscape.
Sydney Brewer
Project Manager
Sydney Brewer, Project Manager at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate, specializes in impactful residential designs. Committed to community betterment through pro bono work, she combines technical skill with social consciousness. Her personal interests in libraries and roller skating reflect a balanced approach to architectural challenges in Southern California contexts.
Gaye McDonnell
Project Manager
Gaye McDonnell, Project Manager from Turkey, brings global experience to diverse projects including award-winning restaurants. With Yildiz Technical University training, she excels at transforming spaces across nightclubs and residences. Her tennis and photography pursuits mirror her architectural attention to detail and composition in Los Angeles' varied built environment.
Questions
What architectural services does Hamilton Architects offer?
We provide full-service architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, master planning, permit expediting, and construction administration across residential, commercial, and civic sectors.
In which states are you licensed to practice?
Our architects hold licenses in California, Washington, and Nevada, allowing us to serve diverse projects across western United States while maintaining local code expertise.
How do you handle complex permitting processes?
Our team directly coordinates with LADBS and planning departments to streamline entitlements, health department approvals, and SB 9 compliance, reducing delays through experienced permit expediting services.
Can you work on historic building renovations?
Yes, we specialize in historic preservation with seismic upgrades, accessibility improvements, and adaptive reuse solutions that maintain architectural character while meeting modern requirements for Los Angeles properties.
What construction phase services do you provide?
Our construction administration includes contractor coordination, shop drawing reviews, and on-site inspections to ensure design integrity, budget control, and timely project completion across all building types.
