Business Details
37 Years
experience
Expert Architectural Design Services in San Francisco
Founded in 1989, our firm has established itself as a leader in architectural design, offering both modern and traditional solutions tailored to client needs. With over three decades of experience, we have completed more than 500 projects across the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the Middle East, specializing in residential, commercial, and institutional developments. Our design philosophy prioritizes functionality and elegance, enhanced by a deep understanding of local building codes and regulatory processes. Led by principal architect Suheil Shatara, our team combines innovation with practicality to deliver spaces that enrich human experiences. We maintain a strong commitment to historic preservation through active community involvement, including 11 years of service on the San Francisco Landmarks Advisory Board.Our portfolio spans mixed-use developments, custom homes, restaurant designs, and humanitarian projects focused on emergency shelters and sustainable ecosystems. This extensive experience enables us to efficiently navigate complex urban environments while maintaining creative integrity. Our technical expertise extends to energy-efficient systems, natural lighting solutions, and ventilation strategies that align with contemporary sustainability standards. This combination of technical proficiency and artistic vision positions us to address diverse architectural challenges while maintaining our founding principles of exploration and collaboration.
Services
Residential Design
Commercial Architecture
Historic Preservation
Restaurant Interiors
Mixed-Use Development
Tenant Improvement
Emergency Shelters
Sustainable Ecosystems
Cultural Institutions
Industrial Facilities
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We have completed over 500 architectural projects since 1989
- Our team specializes in both modern and traditional design approaches
- We maintain deep expertise in Bay Area building codes and regulatory processes
- Our portfolio includes historic preservation and sustainable ecosystem projects
- Principal architect Suheil Shatara brings 30+ years of industry experience
What people say
Exceptional design vision
Deep regulatory knowledge
Timely project delivery
Creative problem solving
Historic preservation expertise
Services
Residential Design
We create custom residential spaces that balance aesthetic appeal with functional living requirements. Our expertise spans single-family homes, multi-family developments, and condominium conversions. Each project incorporates energy-efficient systems and natural lighting solutions while adhering to local building regulations. Our approach ensures seamless integration of modern comforts with architectural integrity.
Historic Preservation
Specializing in historic building restoration, we preserve architectural heritage while implementing modern functionality. Our team has extensive experience with San Francisco's landmark structures, maintaining original character while meeting current safety standards. This includes detailed documentation, material analysis, and code-compliant adaptive reuse strategies for culturally significant buildings.
Commercial Architecture
We design commercial environments that optimize business operations and customer experiences. Our portfolio includes office spaces, retail locations, restaurants, and institutional facilities. Each project incorporates brand identity elements with practical considerations for workflow efficiency and regulatory compliance. We specialize in tenant improvement projects that maximize existing spaces.
Sustainable Ecosystems
Our sustainable design practice focuses on energy-efficient building systems and environmentally conscious materials. We develop experimental ecosystems that integrate natural elements with architectural structures. This includes innovative solutions for air circulation, water conservation, and renewable energy integration that align with contemporary sustainability standards while maintaining design excellence.
Emergency Shelters
We design emergency shelter solutions that combine rapid deployment capabilities with durable construction. Our humanitarian projects focus on modular systems that can be adapted to various environmental conditions. These designs prioritize safety, basic living requirements, and scalability for disaster relief or transitional housing applications while maintaining architectural integrity.
People
Suheil Shatara
Principal Architect
With over 30 years of experience, Suheil founded Shatara Architecture in 1989 after studying at Southern California Institute of Architecture and City College of San Francisco. He served 11 years on the San Francisco Landmarks Advisory Board and has led the completion of 500+ diverse architectural projects across multiple continents.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in residential, commercial, and institutional architecture with expertise in historic preservation and sustainable design. Our portfolio includes single-family homes, mixed-use developments, restaurant interiors, and emergency shelter solutions.
How many projects have you completed?
Since 1989, we have successfully completed over 500 architectural projects across the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the Middle East, including diverse building types from custom homes to commercial developments.
What makes your firm unique?
Our unique combination of 30+ years' experience, deep understanding of Bay Area building codes, and commitment to both historic preservation and sustainable design principles enables us to deliver exceptional architectural solutions across diverse project types.
Do you handle historic building restoration?
Yes, we specialize in historic preservation with extensive experience in restoring culturally significant buildings. Our principal architect served 11 years on the San Francisco Landmarks Advisory Board, providing valuable expertise for heritage restoration projects.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the San Francisco Bay Area, with significant projects completed in Los Angeles and the Middle East. Our experience navigating complex urban environments enables us to effectively manage projects across diverse geographic locations.
