Business Details
34 Years
experience
Clerkin & Clerkin: Innovative Architectural Solutions in Pasadena
Clerkin & Clerkin is a dedicated architectural firm committed to enhancing social and physical environments through integrated design, technical expertise, and client collaboration. Since our founding, we have prioritized seamless integration of design and technical requirements, ensuring holistic project solutions. Our repeat clientele, including institutions like California State Universities and Los Angeles Unified School District, reflects our ability to address diverse needs while maintaining a focus on human-centric spaces.We emphasize close client engagement to explore the uniqueness of each project, delivering results that balance innovation with practicality. Our work spans educational, healthcare, residential, and public infrastructure, demonstrating adaptability to evolving pedagogies, codes, and community needs. With decades of experience, we combine design sensitivity, technical rigor, and a commitment to creating spaces that are both functional and inspiring.
Services
Educational Facility Design
Healthcare Architecture
ADA Compliance Solutions
Seismic Upgrades
Residential Renovations
Public Infrastructure Projects
Laboratory Renovations
Historic Preservation
Campus Master Planning
Space Optimization
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of experience in educational and institutional architecture.
- Our team integrates design and technical expertise for holistic project solutions.
- We maintain long-term relationships with repeat clients like CSU and LAUSD.
- Our approach prioritizes client collaboration and human-centric space design.
- We specialize in complex projects requiring seismic upgrades and ADA compliance.
Services
Educational Facility Design
We specialize in designing and modernizing educational spaces that support evolving pedagogies and institutional needs. Our projects include classroom renovations, laboratory upgrades, and campus master planning. With decades of experience working with universities and school districts, we create functional, code-compliant environments that enhance learning experiences while respecting historical and structural constraints.
ADA Compliance Solutions
Our team implements accessibility improvements that meet federal and state standards while maintaining architectural integrity. Services include restroom modifications, parking adjustments, and circulation path enhancements. We address complex regulatory requirements across multiple California locations, ensuring usability for all individuals without compromising design quality or functionality.
Seismic Upgrades
We provide seismic retrofitting for aging buildings while preserving their original character. Our approach integrates modern safety standards with aesthetic considerations, as demonstrated in projects like the San Jose State University Spartan Complex. We coordinate with engineers and contractors to deliver code-compliant solutions that extend building lifespans and protect occupants without sacrificing spatial functionality.
Healthcare Architecture
Our healthcare design solutions balance technical precision with patient-centered environments. We specialize in hospital renovations and medical centers requiring strict operational continuity. Projects like Cedars Sinai Medical Center renovations demonstrate our ability to work within constrained timelines while implementing cutting-edge technology and creating spaces that support both staff efficiency and patient well-being.
Residential Renovations
We transform residential spaces with a focus on functionality, comfort, and aesthetic harmony. Our projects range from historic home restorations to modern additions, incorporating natural light optimization and spatial flow improvements. We maintain sensitivity to original architectural character while integrating contemporary amenities and sustainable design principles for enhanced living experiences.
People
Chiao H. Clerkin
Founder
Chiao H. Clerkin founded the firm and oversees all design and project administration. With expertise in spatial sequencing and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, she creates safe, welcoming environments. Her collaborative approach ensures client needs are integrated into every project phase.
Sean Clerkin
Partner
Sean Clerkin has led design and project management since 1992. He ensures design continuity from concept to construction, bringing historical and theoretical perspective to complex institutional projects. His work spans universities and public institutions across California, emphasizing contextual integration and technical precision.
Questions
What types of projects does Clerkin & Clerkin specialize in?
We focus on educational facilities, healthcare architecture, public infrastructure, and residential renovations. Our expertise includes seismic upgrades, ADA compliance, and adaptive reuse projects for institutions across California.
How does the firm approach client collaboration?
We maintain close working relationships with clients throughout all project phases, emphasizing understanding of specific needs and site uniqueness. Our principals remain directly involved from initial concept through construction completion.
What experience do you have with university projects?
We've completed over 20 projects for California State Universities, UCLA, and UC Riverside, including laboratory renovations, student facilities, and campus master planning. Our work addresses evolving educational needs and complex institutional requirements.
How do you handle historic preservation requirements?
Our approach balances preservation with modernization, as demonstrated in projects like the Reath/Saint Oyant Studio renovation. We meet historical district standards while implementing functional upgrades that respect architectural heritage and context.
What sets your firm apart from other architects?
We uniquely integrate design innovation with technical expertise, maintaining principal-level involvement throughout projects. Our focus on human-centric spaces, combined with deep institutional knowledge, delivers solutions that are both aesthetically compelling and functionally robust.
