From Ocean Home Magazine, the 2025 Listing of Top Coastal Architects

Once again this year, I was fortunate enough to compile Ocean Home’s listing of top coastal architects across the United States and the Caribbean.

The magazine calls it “The Who’s Who in Residential Coastal Design,” because it honors the most innovative and inspiring design professionals shaping oceanfront living today. This recognition celebrates architects who blend artistry, sustainability, and a deep respect for the coastal environment to create extraordinary homes along the shores. Each firm on the list exemplifies excellence in design, craftsmanship, and a passion for elevating the experience of life by the sea.

Today we’re posting a few of the architecture firms and images of their work on this prestigious list, with plans to add more in the days to come:

Tim Barber Architects

Los Angeles

Known for: Shaping the future of vernacular residential architecture.
Highlight: After celebrating its 30th year of business in 2024, the firm added two new partners this year (five in total).
Highlight: Recently finished construction on a new mountain home on the East Coast; Finished the first phase of construction on a project in Montecito; Designing a fire-resilient modern cabin in Los Angeles; 13 new projects, including one on the bluffs of Malibu.
Highlight: 2025 Best of Houzz, Design.
Highlight: A “national-parks-inspired” homestead; An addition with porches/pool house to a Colonial Revival home; A renovation to a Mediterranean-Modern seaside oasis.
In the works: A new equestrian farmhouse; A renovation/expansion of an early 20th century Arts & Crafts Revival home; A contemporary estate including rebuilding centuries-old barns; Several rebuilds in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena after the 2025 wildfires.

timbarberarchitects.com

Evens Architects:

Los Angeles

Known for: Architecture inspired by classical traditions—interpreting those grand languages through harmony, proportion, and beauty in ways that serve modern life.
Highlight: Book-signing events for Shaping the World as a Home, published in late 2024.
Highlight: Erik Evens to give a lecture about classical moldings at the Catholic University School of Architecture.
Highlight: A contribution to Case Study 2.0, a thoughtful reimagining of the iconic Case Study House Program—with fire-resilient, courtyard-focused, Mediterranean-inspired homes to help Los Angeles families rebuild with grace, dignity, and safety.
Highlight: Completion of the Parra Grande project in Montecito, whose garden was featured in the Summer 2025 print edition of Traditional Home.
In the works: A Mediterranean-style house in Brentwood, a beach cottage on the Strand in Manhattan Beach, and a hilltop, Southern European–style estate overlooking Los Angeles.

evensarc.com

KAA Design

Los Angeles

Known for: Luxurious yet approachable homes that blend modern architecture with organic sensibility, tied to both Southern California context and client lifestyle.
Highlight: Created the Palisades Design Network, a collaborative initiative offering guidance and resources to architects involved in rebuilding efforts following the Palisades and Eaton fires. This network has become a vital platform for supporting thoughtful and resilient design in the wake of disaster.
Highlight: HONOR Award from the AIA | Long Beach South Bay Design Awards, and a MERIT Award from the AIA | Los Angeles Residential Architecture Awards.
Highlight: Completion of residential projects in the Barbuda Ocean Club, on a Hollywood hilltop villa, and on the oceanfront in Santa Barbara.
In the works: Projects in Costa Rica, Southern California, Dubai, Washington, D.C., and Japan.

kaadesigngroup.com

Austin Patterson Disston Architecture & Design

Norwalk, Quogue, and West Palm Beach

Known for: Bespoke projects with an intimate scale, tailored interiors, and cohesion with exterior spaces, so the feeling of home expands well beyond walls; enhanced meadowscapes; unique use of glass and expansive windows to bridge structures and create indoor/outdoor spaces.
Highlight: Projects in Modern, Agrarian Modern, and Shingle Styles, incorporating traditional and modern elements into spaces that reflect the way clients live.
Highlight: Moffly A-List Award—Traditional Architecture less than 7,000 square feet; Moffly A-List Award—Traditional Kitchen; 2025 Luxe RED Awards—Outdoor Space.
In the works: Seven projects in Long Island, one in Rhode Island, and three in the non-contiguous United States.

apdarchitects.com

Mark P. Finlay Architects

Southport

Known for: Work that reflects context and client desires, with design in every style across North America.
Highlight: The firm celebrated its 41st anniversary this summer.
Highlight: Developing a master plan for South Carolina’s Country Club of Charleston.
Highlight: Master plan under construction for the Freestone Club in Texas.
Highlight: Completion of The Black Rock Waterfront Residence, a renovation in Fairfield.
Highlight: BLT Award for the Library of the History of Human Imagination. The Cherry Hills Golf Club named Clubhouse of the Year List by Golf Inc.
In the works: Projects in Greenwich, Key Largo, Fla., Westport, and Newport.