Business Details
33 Years
experience
Expert Architectural Design Services in San Diego
Founded in 1993 by R. Bennett Lord, Jr., our firm specializes in serving institutional clients through architectural design tailored to their unique needs. We have completed numerous public and private projects, including K-12 schools, universities, religious facilities, healthcare institutions, and commercial developments, reflecting a balance between client requirements and innovative design. Katherine Lord joined in 2008, bringing expertise in master planning, facility assessments, and modernization projects for Southern California school districts. By maintaining a small team, our principals work directly with clients, ensuring efficiency and deep engagement. This approach has fostered long-term relationships with satisfied clients, including school districts like Sweetwater Union and San Marcos Unified, as well as religious organizations such as the Diocese of San Diego.Our experience extends to navigating complex regulatory environments, including DSA, OSHPD, and local planning departments. We prioritize sustainable design practices, formalized through Katherine Lords LEED accreditation, which emphasizes cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions aligned with long-term client goals. Our teams technical proficiency in BIM software, Revit, and AutoCAD ensures precise construction documentation and visualization. With decades of combined experience, we deliver high-quality projects that meet functional, aesthetic, and compliance standards.
Services
Educational Facilities
Religious Institutions
Healthcare Design
Commercial Architecture
Master Planning
Facility Assessments
Feasibility Studies
Building Modernization
Additions & Expansions
New Construction
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in institutional architectural design.
- Our team works directly with clients to ensure personalized service.
- We specialize in DSA and OSHPD-compliant projects for school districts.
- Our LEED-accredited professionals prioritize sustainable, cost-effective design.
- Proven track record in navigating complex regulatory approvals.
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Services
Educational Facilities
We specialize in K-12 and university projects, including new construction, modernization, and additions. Our team navigates DSA compliance and budget constraints to deliver functional, code-compliant spaces that enhance learning environments. Decades of experience with districts like Sweetwater Union ensure tailored solutions for evolving educational needs.
Religious Institutions
Our firm designs and renovates sanctuaries, chapels, and community centers for diverse religious organizations. We balance aesthetic reverence with practical needs, working with dioceses and congregations to create spaces that reflect spiritual values while meeting modern safety and accessibility standards.
Healthcare Design
We provide architectural solutions for healthcare institutions, including hospitals and memory care centers. Our expertise in OSHPD compliance and patient-centered design ensures safe, efficient environments that support both staff workflows and patient well-being, as demonstrated in projects like Sharp Coronado Hospital.
Master Planning
We develop comprehensive master plans for campuses and institutions, integrating long-term growth goals with current needs. Our process includes feasibility studies and stakeholder collaboration to create adaptable, phased strategies that optimize land use and infrastructure investments.
Building Modernization
Our team specializes in upgrading historic and aging structures while preserving architectural integrity. Services include code compliance, energy efficiency improvements, and adaptive reuse, ensuring buildings meet modern standards without compromising their original character.
People
Katherine Lord
Principal
A LEED-accredited architect with decades of experience in educational and healthcare design, Katherine Lord leads projects from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with client needs and regulatory standards.
R. Bennett Lord Jr.
Principal
Founder with extensive expertise in educational facilities, religious institutions, and historic renovations, overseeing project phases from master planning to construction administration with a focus on client collaboration.
Pat Wada
Project Architect
With 20 years of experience, Pat Wada manages architectural projects, coordinating with agencies like DSA to ensure compliance and delivering designs that meet complex budgetary and scheduling demands.
Luis Jaramillo
Architect
A 5-year veteran in public and private facility design, Luis Jaramillo specializes in K-12 schools and healthcare projects, utilizing BIM software for precise construction documentation and agency coordination.
Greg Golombek
Job Captain
With 23 years of experience, Greg Golombek focuses on project documentation, detailing, and client interaction, leveraging Revit and AutoCAD expertise to support new construction and renovation projects.
Questions
What types of projects does Lord Architecture specialize in?
We focus on educational facilities, religious institutions, healthcare design, commercial architecture, and master planning, with expertise in DSA and OSHPD-compliant projects.
Do you handle projects in Southern California school districts?
Yes, we have extensive experience with districts like Sweetwater Union, San Marcos Unified, and Escondido Union, providing modernization and new construction solutions.
Can you assist with sustainable design certifications?
Our LEED-accredited professionals integrate cost-effective, energy-efficient strategies tailored to client goals, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards.
How do you ensure regulatory compliance for institutional projects?
We navigate complex approvals through deep familiarity with agencies like DSA, OSHPD, and local planning departments, ensuring code compliance and smooth project execution.
What is your approach to client collaboration?
We maintain small teams to work directly with clients, fostering open communication and tailored solutions that align with their vision and operational needs.
