Meta All Microsites Pixel

The Best Commercial Architects in Dallas, Texas (2022)

December 20, 2017 13 Min Read
Photo for HKS Architects

Last updated on October 9th, 2024 at 09:25 am

Choosing the right commercial architect in Dallas, Texas, is a critical decision that can significantly impact your project. Finding a reliable contractor for commercial projects in Dallas, Texas, is essential to ensure timely completion, adherence to building codes, and quality workmanship. A skilled contractor can navigate the complexities of commercial construction, manage subcontractors effectively, and deliver a finished project that meets both functional and aesthetic requirements. With an average commercial project costing between $200,000 and $1.35 million and high-end projects exceeding $1.95 million, the financial implications of a well-managed project are clear. The typical commercial construction project can take up to 35 weeks to complete, and unforeseen issues are common, making choosing a reliable architect even more crucial.

The cost per square foot for construction has averaged $88.40 over the past two years. Dallas, with a population of approximately 1.3 million and a median home value of $477,100, boasts a robust and competitive market for commercial construction. The city is home to 81 contractors specializing in commercial projects, providing many choices for businesses looking to build or renovate their spaces. These architects and firms bring expertise in design and construction and an in-depth understanding of the local market and regulations.

The difference between a good architect and a mediocre one can be the deciding factor in achieving your vision on time and within budget. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the best commercial architects in Dallas, known for their exceptional design capabilities, reliable project management, and commitment to client satisfaction.


Overview: The Best Commercial Architects in Dallas, Texas (2022)

Contractor

Average Customer Satisfaction

Service Rating Score

Total Number of Reviews

Complaint Percentage

Perkins & Will

4.8

5

27

0.5%

BOKA Powell

4.8

5

6

1.5%

OMNIPLAN Architects

4.8

5

6

1.5%

Stantec

4.8

5

6

1.5%

HOK

4.8

5

3

2.1%

KAI Enterprises

4.8

5

3

2.1%

CannonDesign

4.8

5

2

2.4%

GFF Design

4.8

5

49

2.2%

Corgan

4.7

5

58

0.3%

The Beck Group

4.7

5

16

5.6%

HKS, Inc.

4.7

5

61

6.3%

CallisonRTKL

4.5

4

10

7.8%

Page Southerland Page, Inc.

4.5

4

7

18.1%

See Ranking Methodology at the bottom of this article to learn more. 


Perkins & Will

2218 Bryan St. Suite #200, Dallas, TX 75201

  Perkins & Will

Year Established

1935

Services Provided

Architecture, Interior Design, Planning + Strategies, Branded Environments, Urban Design, Sustainability, Landscape Architecture, Preservation + Reuse

Areas Served

Dallas, Houston, Austin

Notable Project

Gme renovation | 1441 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX, 75203 | $1000000

What Customers Are Saying

Awesome Company

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (27 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

0.5%

Perkins & Will works out of countless offices nationwide. Its Dallas office is recognized for its impressive commercial and office spaces and expertise in a wide variety of architectural vernaculars. At its helm is its managing director, Tom Reisenbichler. He is a LEED-accredited professional, ensuring that all of the firm’s work is sustainable. All of the firm’s projects benefit from his experience, which includes a brief stint in the real estate industry.

The project showcases the firm’s Dallas Studio. Perkins & Will chose Dallas High School as the site for the relocation. It spans roughly 40,000 square feet and holds high levels of various certification programs, such as LEED-CI, WELL Building Standard, and Fitwel.


BOKA Powell

8070 Park Lane, Suite #300, Dallas, TX 75231

  BOKA Powell

Year Established

1975

Services Provided

Architecture, Planning, Interiors, Graphics, And Strategy

Areas Served

Texas, Allen, Plano, San Antonio, Southlake, Austin, Fort Worth

Notable Project

The carnegie building | 421 W Third St, Fort Worth, TX, 76102 | $32000000

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (6 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

1.5%

With four decades of industry experience, BOKA Powell is an experienced firm that offers its clients a complete range of commercial architecture services. It is known for its cost-effective approaches, in addition to its highly collaborative approach. Some of its best work has been featured in The Architect’s Newspaper and the Engineering News-Record. Depicted below is one of its best projects. As one of the leading architects in Dallas, it is a member of the American Institute of Architects.

This project is an international plaza located in the heart of Dallas. Spanning 45,000 square feet, it required work on its architecture and interior design. The firm’s team reworked its contemporary lobby spaces, which are open to lively café and lounge areas on the ground floor.


OMNIPLAN Architects

1845 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Suite #1600, Dallas, TX 75201

  OMNIPLAN Architects

Year Established

1956

Services Provided

Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, And Graphic Design

Areas Served

Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Arlington

Notable Project

84314 sq ft cnew stonebriar kidzania shell | 2617 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX, 75034 | $12297758

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (6 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

1.5%

OMNIPLAN Architects uses a highly hands-on and collaborative approach, which has resulted in responsive spaces. This allows for little to almost no revisions throughout the entire process. The firm has multiple LEED Accredited professionals on its team, in addition to LEED Green Associates. This assures the firm’s clients of its projects’ high efficiency and sustainability.

Spanning over 350,000 square feet, this project tasked the firm with its extensive redevelopment. It made use of a multi-phased approach. Some of its best elements include a District Food Hall with ten gourmet eateries, an AMC IMAX Theater, and various outdoor seating areas.


Stantec

6080 Tennyson Parkway, Suite #200, Plano, TX 75024

  Stantec

Year Established

1989

Services Provided

Architecture, Interior Design, Buildings Engineering, Client Enterprise Solutions, Climate Solutions, Community Development, Environmental, Geomatics, Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Testing, International Development, Landscape Architecture, Oil, Gas, EPCM, Power Engineering, Design, Program, Project Management, Sustainability, Transportation Services, Water Services

Areas Served

Dallas, Houston, Austin, Allen, San Marcos

What Customers Are Saying

Top Notch Firm

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (6 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

1.5%

With over 400 locations, Stantec is a Dallas architect firm that works on six continents. It has over 25,000 employees and is experienced in every phase and aspect of the architectural process. The firm is particularly regarded for its integrated management systems, diversity, and corporate sustainability. In terms of design, it can take on projects regardless of size or scale.

This photo features the firm’s work on Trinity Groves, a master-planned development across the Trinity River from Downtown Dallas. It offers restaurants, retail, hotels, and housing. Stantec also had to design roadway improvements for Herbert and Amonette Street and a new roadway alignment for Akron Street.


HOK

717 North Harwood St. Suite #2850, LB 8, Dallas, TX 75201

  HOK

Year Established

1955

Services Provided

Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Lighting Design, Experience Design, Interiors, Planning + Urban Design, On-Site Space Management, Sustainable Design, Engineering, Consulting

Areas Served

Dallas, Houston, Plano, Westlake

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (3 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

2.1%

HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm. It operates out of 24 offices across three continents. It takes great pride in the superb reviews and rankings it has received through the years. The firm has been named the Number One firm in the country by publications like Architectural Record and Engineering News-Record. It has also been recognized for its efforts in the green building and design movement and its expertise in a wide variety of outstanding architectural vernaculars.

This project, located in Westlake, was designed for the Goosehead Insurance headquarters. It spans around 60,000 square feet and caters to young professionals. The firm’s team used high-quality finishes and a functional floor plan.


KAI Enterprises

5010 Riverside Dr. Suite #250, Irving, TX 75039

  KAI Enterprises

Year Established

1980

Services Provided

Master Planning/Urban Design; Architecture; Interior Design; Mep Engineering; Construction Services

Areas Served

Dallas, Fort Worth, Galveston, Arlington, Mesquite, Denton, San Antonio

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (3 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

2.1%

KAI Enterprises is a national design and construction services firm with multiple offices nationwide, over 100 in-house multi-discipline employees, and more than four decades of experience in the architecture industry. Led by its President, Darren L. James, FAIA seeks complex, culturally conscious, and politically sensitive projects that will make lasting differences in the lives they touch. James was named one of D CEO Magazine’s 2022 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in North Texas for the second consecutive year, a 2022 Elite News Dr. R.E. Price Meritorious Service Award recipient, recipient of the 2021 TxA Award for Equitable Practice in Architecture in honor of John S. Chase, Jr., and a 2022 Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Quest for Success recipient.

Completed in Dallas County, this photo showcases the KAI Enterprises’ work at the Dallas County South Government Center. KAI provided this project with design and site planning, considering the overall site for future growth and development of the center. This new ground-up building has a total of 73,000 square feet of two-story structure valued at $22M. It houses the County Tax Office, Veteran’s Affairs, County Constable, Sheriff’s Traffic Division, Sheriff’s Dispatch, Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, and two Justice of the Peace Courts. The facility was created according to LEED standards, resulting in a LEED v4 Silver Certification.


CannonDesign

3535 Travis St. Dallas, TX 75204

  CannonDesign

Year Established

1945

Services Provided

Architecture, Commissioning, Consulting, Planning, Construction Services, Engineering, Environmental Graphics, Facility Optimization Solutions, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Sustainable Design, Climate Action

Areas Served

Dallas, Houston, Clear Lake, Denton, Fort Worth, Odessa, Austin

Notable Project

Shell warehouse building and site work | 2521 Beckleymeade Ave, Dallas, TX, 75237 | $6950000

What Customers Are Saying

Amazing Firm

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (2 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

2.4%

CannonDesign specializes in health, education, commercial, technology, hospitality, and civic spaces. Its services encompass not only architecture but also construction, engineering, and planning services. It is also regarded for its impressive interior design.

This project, located in Fort Worth, was completed for Texas Christian University. Its team worked closely with Hahnfeld Hoffer and Stanford to transform the Mary Couts Burnett Library into an all-new and revamped library that now houses various study hubs.


GFF Design

3300 West 7th St. Suite #110, Fort Worth, TX 76107

  GFF Design

Year Established

1982

Services Provided

Architecture, Interior, Planning, Landscape

Areas Served

Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin and Their Surrounding Areas

Notable Project

The dough dough | 3311 Preston Rd #2, Frisco, TX, 75034 | $175000

What Customers Are Saying

Highly Qualified Professionals, Best Customer Service

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.8 (49 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

2.2%

GFF Design is an award-winning multidisciplinary firm. The firm is composed of a talented team of over 140 officers, who are each experienced in architecture, interior design, planning, and landscape architecture throughout the United States. It takes great pride in the impressive rankings it has received through the years. These include ARCHITECT 50, Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms, Top 100 Green Design Firms, and Top Texas Design Firms, Best Places to Work by the Dallas Business Journal, and GIANTS 300 Top Architectural Firms by Building Design and Construction.

The project showcased above is an excellent example of the firm’s work. Located in Dallas, this photo depicts its work at the Dallas Theological Seminary. The new structure includes large and small gathering spaces, a café, and a workspace fit for over 20 faculty staff.


Corgan

401 North Houston St. Dallas, TX 75202

  Corgan

Year Established

1938

Services Provided

Architecture, Interior Design, And Master Planning

Areas Served

Dallas, Austin, Frisco, Coppell

Notable Project

Interior renovation of existing admin area and warehouse. Renovation also includes the addition of a teaching kitchen and multipurpose room (all within existing building perimeter walls). New construction includes the addition of a 7000sf freezer storage |
1206 W Arkansas Ln, Arlington, TX, 76013 | $6000000

What Customers Are Saying

Amazing Work

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.7 (58 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

0.3%

Corgan draws inspiration from decades of industry experience and the stellar reputation it has established for itself. The firm assists each of its clients throughout the entire process and credits its success to the extensive and diverse experience of its team of professionals. Corgan has completed projects both locally and abroad. In terms of design, it can take on commercial spaces regardless of size or scale.

The chosen project above features the firm’s very own Dallas headquarters. It is now WELL Gold Certified, which is the first of its kind in the entirety of Texas. Some of its best elements include its open workspaces, studios, and meeting spaces. It also incorporated various COVID-19 responsive features.


The Beck Group

1601 Elm St. Suite #2800, Dallas, TX 75201

  The Beck Group

Year Established

1912

Services Provided

Architecture, Construction, Sustainability, Technology, Designbuild, And Preconstruction

Areas Served

Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Arlington

Notable Project

First generation second floor office build-out in a new core and shell building. New interior finishes ductwork electrical breakroom with appliances walls and ceilings with framed glass openings. There will also be a new building common corridor | 464 Bailey Ave, Fort Worth, TX, 76107 | $550000

What Customers Are Saying

Dedicated, Experienced

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.7 (16 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

5.6%

With over a hundred years of industry experience, The Beck Group is one of the oldest firms on this list. It has worked across the United States and specializes in architecture and construction. The firm is also highly regarded for its sustainability efforts, assuring clients that all its spaces are highly efficient and environmentally friendly. It tailors its methods to better accommodate each project that it takes on. Additionally, it prides itself on the impressive rankings it has garnered over the years. In 2021, Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal named it the Best Managed Company in the country.

The featured project above showcases the firm’s work for Shake Shack. Spanning over 2,900 square feet, this project is located in Dallas. It was built on a leftover corner of the Crescent Development. It employed a glass pavilion and used locally sourced reclaimed wood for this.


HKS, Inc.

350 N Saint Paul St. Suite #100, Dallas, TX 75201

  HKS, Inc.

Year Established

1939

Services Provided

Architecture, Interior Design, Mixed-Use, Research, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Design, Urban Design, Advisory Services, Alternative Project Delivery, Branded Experiences, Citizen Hks, Line

Areas Served

Dallas, Marfa, Frisco, Muenster, Fort Worth

What Customers Are Saying

Great Service, Well Organized, Impeccable Design

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.7 (61 reviews)

Service Rating Score

5

Complaint Percentage

6.3%

HKS, Inc. provides a comprehensive range of services specializing in various market types. These include aviation, civic, and commercial projects. Its portfolio also depicts education, government, health care, hospitality, life science, mission-critical, and mixed-use residential work. The company utilizes excellent interior design skills, extensive research, and outstanding architecture.

Designed for “The Assembly,” this project showcases twin office towers that connect its tenants to Dallas’ historic Deep Ellum neighborhood. It spans over 79,000 square feet of collaborative spaces and also features several excellent retail amenities.


Page Southerland Page, Inc.

1800 Main St. Suite #123, Dallas, TX 75201

  Page Southerland Page, Inc.

Year Established

1898

Services Provided

Multidisciplinary Design, Architecture And Engineering Firm

Areas Served

Dallas, Houston, Austin

Average Customer Satisfaction

4.5 (7 reviews)

Service Rating Score

4

Complaint Percentage

18.1%

Page Southerland Page, Inc. is a full-service design, architecture, and engineering firm that is also noted for its impressive branding services. The firm describes itself as a multidisciplinary company with over 650 talented staff members. Among the many Dallas architect firms, it was ranked among the top 300 U.S. architecture firms on the 2023 Architectural Record list.

This 62,000-square-foot facility was designed to stimulate, train, and enhance the brains of each participant who visits it. The firm’s team was inspired by the brain itself for its layout, and its facade was inspired by an EEG strip.


Ranking Methodology

To evaluate the performance of contractors, our methodology employs a systematic approach that considers various factors contributing to customer experience and satisfaction. We focused on assessing the commercial architects in the Dallas area. The methodology involves assigning weightings to specific categories based on their significance in determining customer service quality. Here’s the breakdown of the categories and their respective weightings:

  • Average Customer Satisfaction (35%): This metric represents the average rating given by customers across the same review platforms as the Average Customer Satisfaction Score. A higher average rating indicates greater overall satisfaction with the service provided.
  • Service Rating Score (25%): We analyze the ratio of high (4-5 stars) to low (1-2 stars) ratings for each business across multiple review platforms: Google, Houzz, and Yelp. A higher percentage of positive reviews contributes to a higher score, reflecting better customer satisfaction.
  • Complaint Percentage (25%): We analyze the ratio of complaints to total reviews for each business. A lower complaints ratio indicates better service quality and results in a higher score.
  • Business Hours and Availability (10%): The operating hours of each business are assessed to gauge accessibility. Companies with extended operating hours are awarded a higher score, as they offer greater convenience to customers.
  • License Status (5%): We verify the licensing status of each contractor with their local licensing board to ensure legal compliance. Companies with valid licenses receive a higher score, reflecting professionalism and adherence to regulations.
  • Total Score: We determined the overall rating for every contractor by calculating a weighted average, with the category weight determining the amount the subscore contributed to the total score 

Additional Note: Service Rating Score, Average Customer Satisfaction, and Complaint Percentage are calculated with a Bayesian estimate to account for if the contractor has a low number of total reviews. A Bayesian average is a statistical method used to calculate the average of a set of data points while taking into account prior information or beliefs about the distribution of the data. It combines the observed data with a prior distribution to generate a more accurate estimate of the true average.


Author

  • Shahe Demirdjian

    Shahe is an Editor at Dallas Architects with around four years of experience as a writer and editor in the construction space. Shahe has always had a huge interest in commercial/residential construction and real estate. On top of his experience at Dallas Architects, he has two years of experience as a Construction Partner Specialist at BuildZoom and six years of experience as a licensed real estate agent. In his work, he takes advantage of his expertise to take complex technical jargon from those realms and transform them into accessible, engaging content, blending his business administration expertise with a degree from Arizona State University with his experiential insights.  Expertise: Architecture, Home Design and Build, Home Remodeling Key Highlights: Arizona Real Estate - Licensed Salesperson  Education: Arizona State University, Bachelors in Business Administration