Business Details
39 Years
experience
Award-Winning Residential Architects in Philadelphia
James Wentling Architects is a Philadelphia-based firm dedicated to residential design and planning, founded in 1987. Our practice combines a commitment to excellence in design with a focus on client service, delivering projects across 20 states and Canada. We specialize in creating diverse residential product types, including luxury custom homes, single-family production housing, townhouses, condominiums, and active-adult communities. Our services span the entire project lifecycle, from preliminary land planning and concept design to construction drawings and plan portfolio management. We collaborate with clients ranging from private individuals to national builders, many of whom have been recognized as industry leaders.Our work has earned numerous local, regional, and national design awards, including multiple Builder's Choice Awards. We maintain CAD files for various product lines, updating them to meet evolving code requirements and market demands. Our team provides marketing graphics and customized plan modifications to enhance marketability. With decades of experience, we prioritize understanding client needs while adhering to the highest professional standards. Our founder, James W. Wentling, FAIA, has contributed extensively to residential design discourse through publications and speaking engagements globally.
Services
Preliminary Land Planning
Concept Design
Construction Drawings
Stock Plans
Marketing Graphics
Plan Portfolio Management
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We have 35+ years of experience in residential architectural design
- Our portfolio spans 20+ states and Canada with diverse housing types
- We've received multiple national Builder's Choice Awards for innovation
- We serve clients from individual homeowners to Fortune 500 builders
- Our services cover full project lifecycle from planning to construction
Services
Preliminary Land Planning
Our preliminary land planning service creates optimal layouts for residential developments. We analyze building sites to determine ideal street configurations, lot placements, open spaces, and architectural guidelines. We focus on maximizing market appeal while meeting density targets and community design objectives for both small and large-scale projects.
Concept Design
We provide detailed concept design services for residential products. Our team creates 1/4" scale floor plans and street elevations based on client requirements. This includes custom home designs, builder-specific plans, and additions that balance aesthetic appeal with functional living spaces tailored to specific market needs.
Construction Drawings
Our construction drawing service produces comprehensive documentation for permits and building. We create computer-generated plans including foundation layouts, floor plans, elevations, wall sections, and electrical schematics. We also provide modifications and additional drawings to meet specific project requirements and local building codes.
Stock Plans
We offer an extensive library of over 250 pre-prepared construction drawings for residential projects. These stock plans can be used as-is or customized for specific market conditions. Our collection includes single-family homes, townhouses, and multi-family units with flexible design options for various building scenarios.
Marketing Graphics
Our marketing graphics service creates visual materials to support residential sales efforts. We produce black-and-white or color brochure drawings of floor plans and elevations on standard 8.5" x 11" paper. These materials help showcase design features and layout options to potential homebuyers during the sales process.
People
James W. Wentling
Founder / Architect
James W. Wentling, FAIA, founded the firm in 1987 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame and the University of San Diego School of Law. With over 35 years of experience, he has authored two books on residential design and spoken at conferences across six continents. He has held leadership roles in the ULI Residential Council and AIA Housing Committee.
Questions
What types of residential projects do you specialize in?
We specialize in single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, active-adult communities, and custom residential projects across various market segments.
How long has your firm been in business?
James Wentling Architects has been providing residential design services since 1987, with over 35 years of industry experience.
Do you work with both small builders and large developers?
Yes, we work with clients ranging from small custom builders with under $1M in annual sales to large production builders exceeding $100M in volume.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We operate nationally across 20+ states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, with projects completed in Canada as well.
What design awards has your firm received?
Our firm has earned multiple Builder's Choice Awards and other local, regional, and national design recognitions for innovative residential solutions.
How can I access your stock plan library?
We offer over 250 pre-designed plans that can be customized for specific needs. Contact our Philadelphia office directly at (215) 568-2551 for plan access and modifications.
