Retail is an ever-evolving industry. Every month, entrepreneurs and businesses come up with new ways to bring clients a unique shopping experience. Consumers, for their part, are always looking for the next best thing. With 2020’s unpredictable flow of events, customers and business owners alike are looking for new ways to cope with this unusual situation. Architects knowledgeable in innovative and progressive designs are a great resource. Take a look at our list of the best architects in Central Florida. Each designer was ranked based on a number of criteria in addition to the style and quality of structures they design. These criteria include work history, client satisfaction, and recognition from various award-giving bodies. Whether you want to update your shop or invest in a new business, there’s an architect on this list to help you.
API (+)
2709 N Rocky Point Dr. Suite #201, Tampa, FL 33607
Architecture Plus International or API (+) is a multidisciplinary and global award-winning firm founded in 1990. The firm has developed a client-centered design approach that elevates retail-driven environments. The firm specializes in creating designs for food retail, specialty retail, restaurants, and retail centers for national and international clients. The firm’s work has been recognized for its solutions and its ability to exceed its competition. Publications including the Tampa Bay Business Journal, ArchDaily, Restaurant Development + Design, BD+C, Commercial Architecture, and Tampa Bay Times have featured API (+) and its works.
One of the firm’s award-winning projects is the Tumi/Swarovski store located in the Tampa International Airport. The combination store houses the elegant Swarovski jewelry line and the travel brand Tumi. API (+) provided architecture and interior design services for the completion of the retail store. The project won the Best New Retail Concept awarded by the Airport Council International-North America Awards.
Cooper Johnson Smith Peterson Architects
102 South 12th St., Tampa, FL 33602
Bridging modern technology with the demands of a traditional and contemporary lifestyle has characterized Cooper Johnson Smith Peterson Architects’ works since 1986. Today, the firm is led by Don Cooper. He is a University of Tennessee, Knoxville graduate. Cooper is joined by a team of skilled architects and designers.
The award-winning architectural firm has designed an array of building types. Its success in design was first witnessed through its residential projects which have been featured on Southern Living, Florida Architecture, New Old House Journal, Coastal Living Magazine, and more. But this does not mean that the firm is now knowledgeable in creating designs for mixed-use and commercial projects. One of the firm’s award-winning commercial retail designs is the Dimmit Automotive Eurocars dealership in St. Petersburg. The classic Tuscan exterior and modern interior earned the firm the 2012 Aurora Awards.
Cuhaci & Peterson Architects
2600 Maitland Center Pkwy. Suite #200, Maitland, FL 32751
Cuhaci & Peterson is a nationally recognized design firm, with registered professionals in 50 states, that brings together a diverse team of architects, engineers, planners, designers, and support staff driven by the goal to understand its clients, their needs, and deliver exceptional design solutions. With a key focus on teamwork, the firm’s solutions result from a collaborative process that encourages its professional staff across disciplines to research alternatives, share knowledge, and collaborate on a higher level to solve the challenges of what will be built. Cuhaci & Peterson’s projects range from big box stores, restaurants, and assisted living facilities to malls, offices, and grocery stores. The firm’s work hinges on the successful integration of design, technology, efficiency, aesthetics, and cost. Every client has a different need and balance for its program or project, and the Cuhaci & Peterson team focuses on ensuring that balance is met by accomplishing together.
The firm, lead by CEO Greg Simpson, has been featured in Progressive Grocer, i4 Business Magazine, Orlando Business Journals, South Florida Business Journal, and Yahoo! Finance. Although its physical footprint is in Central Florida, Philadelphia, and Boston, Cuhaci & Peterson has projects from California to the Carolinas and permitting in 700+ jurisdictions. One of its recent projects was the Sprouts Farmers Market in Westchase (Tampa). The 30,000 square-foot store is Sprouts’ 11th store in Tampa Bay and its 23rd store in Florida.
Eleven18 Architecture
1011 E Colonial Dr. Suite #307, Orlando, FL 32803
Since its inception in 2009, Eleven 18 Architecture has served Central Florida and 25 other states with prime architecture and interior design services. Kim Day McCann, Marks Adams, and Neke White are the three partners leading Eleven18 Architecture. McCann, AIA, LEED AP is an NCARB registered architect who has based her architectural practice in Central Florida and holds several state licenses. Adams, AIA is an NCARB registered architect who has built a blue-ribbon reputation for designing AIA-recognized and award-winning projects. White is an award-winning architect who has designed for names like Michael Jordan, Universal Studios, and more.
Eleven18 Architecture specializes in education, entertainment, industrial, mixed-use, retail, and urban design. The firm provided schematic design, construction documents, interior finish selections, and construction administration for the 2,968-square-foot Trophy Room retail shop in Orlando. The retail store houses products featuring apparel with the Jordan brand.
JPRA Architects
39300 W Twelve Mile Rd. Suite #180, Farmington Hills, MI 48331
JPRA Architects has been in service since 1978 and has been a leading partner in design and architectural service. CEO and President William Beitz is an AIA-registered architect who has led countless projects for JPRA Architects. The firm’s works have been featured in Architect Magazine, Forbes Magazine, Architecture & Design, Curbed Philly, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Although it is headquartered in Michigan, the firm’s works can be seen throughout Central Florida, California, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, Kansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada including Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec. The Mall at the Millenia located in Orlando was completed by the firm for the Forbes Company and The Taubman Company. The one-of-a-kind design has won multiple awards including the ICSC International Design & Development Awards, the SADI Award, the AIA Michigan PLACE Design Awards, and the Southeast Construction “Best of Florida” Awards.
Klar & Klar Architects
28473 US Hwy 19 N. Suite #602, Clearwater, FL 33761
Klar & Klar Architects is a Tampa-based architectural firm specializing in the design of residential and commercial spaces. Roberta Klar, AIA, LEED AP, and Steve Klar are NCARB-certified architects who are equally passionate about creating progressive, trendy spaces. Since 1993, the firm has completed numerous and diverse projects in Florida. The end goal of each project is to create a design that will enhance the way people interact with the built environment and help sustain the earth.
The firm’s portfolio contains everything from showrooms to hotels, all designed with great attention to detail and the best of modern technology. The Hydrologic Showroom in Tampa is just one of its many stunning designs. The project has a scope of 13,930-square-feet of architecture and interior design in partnership with Dan Karcher Construction. The showroom features a luxurious interior that houses its products, including light fixtures, sinks, bathtubs, and more.
