Residential Architect in Altadena CA

Creating the perfect living space requires art and dedication so choosing the right architectural firm is vital. Entrusting this endeavor to an acclaimed and visionary luxury residential architect in Altadena CA ensures that your unique vision comes to life with every detail meticulously planned and executed to exude your own brand of luxury and refinement.

Tucked into the serene foothills just north of Pasadena, Altadena (encompassing zip codes 91001, 91003, 91104) is a storied Los Angeles enclave defined by its mature oaks, mountain vistas, and a creative spirit that thrives in peaceful surroundings. Since being settled in the late 19th century, its homes have woven together Arts & Crafts bungalows, Spanish Revival estates, and mid-century modern retreats—each deeply rooted in the land.

Altadena’s charm lies in its architectural variety and craftsmanship history. Some of the types of homes found in the area are:

• Craftsman Bungalows & Airplane Bungalows: Embodying the Arts & Crafts ethos, these homes celebrate low-pitched roofs, wooden porches, built-in interiors, and natural finishes. The Keyes Bungalow, an “airplane”-style bungalow listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exemplifies this enduring legacy.
• Spanish Colonial & Mediterranean Revival: Common across Altadena, these homes feature thick stucco walls, red tile roofs, arched openings, and courtyards that invite light and landscape inside.
• English Tudor & Storybook Cottages: Found especially in developments like North Garfield, these homes add whimsy to the hillside streets with steep roofs, half-timbering, and charming storybook aesthetics.
• Mid-century Modern / Ranch Homes: Though fewer, these homes bring minimalist lines, open interiors, and strong indoor-outdoor connections. One notable example is a 1960 Mid-Century gem built by Swiss artist Gisela Meier, carefully sited on a steep slope with minimal topographic alteration.

Tragically, nearly 6,000 homes were lost to the fire in Altadena and many more were severely damaged. Some of these homes include

• Pauline Lowe Residence (1934, Harwell Hamilton Harris modernist design) – A recognized mid-century landmark, was destroyed in the fire.
• Andrew McNally House (Queen Anne style, built 1887) – Listed on the National Register, was also destroyed during the blaze.
• Woodbury–Story House – Suffered damage from smoke and heat, the structure remains standing but in need of restoration.
• Zane Grey Estate (1907 Mediterranean-Revival ‘fireproof’ home) – A celebrated landmark designed by Myron Hunt & Elmer Grey, had the main house destroyed, leaving only some concrete walls.

As of September 2025, a growing number of rebuilding permits have been filed, though permit approvals remain slow and only a fraction of applications have been processed months after the fire. In addition,

• Community-led rebuilding efforts are underway in sectors like the La Viña neighborhood, where groups of homeowners have coordinated with builders to begin reconstruction.
• Debris removal in Altadena is nearly complete, with public cleanup advancing rapidly. This enables the ground for rebuilding to become usable.
• Some individual residents have begun pouring foundations and rebuilding.

The broader rebuilding initiative is supported by streamlined government processes under a new executive order aimed at accelerating recovery.

These elements and more, of Dean Larkin Design’s philosophy transform your home into a personal sanctuary that reflects your personal lifestyle and aesthetic preferences:

Indoor/Outdoor Contemporary Architecture: We bridge the divide between your interior retreat and the natural surroundings, creating designs blur the lines between inside and outside.

Maximizing the Intrinsic Potential of the Setting: We tap into the unique potential of your chosen location, enhancing the natural beauty and resources of your homesite.

Multi-layered Complexity with Effortless Elegance: Intertwining function and refinement to achieve a profound, yet understated sophistication.

For Dean Larkin Design, architecture is never arbitrary—it begins with intention and culminates in spaces that feel both personal and connected to their environment. The guiding principle is simple: great design serves the lives lived within it. Embracing Southern California’s unique lifestyle, our work celebrates natural light, open views, and fluid connections between indoors and out. These elements are integral parts of a philosophy that prioritizes wellness, beauty, and ease of living.

Dean’s process is rooted in collaboration. Each project is shaped through dialogue, as we listen closely to our clients’ aspirations and translate them into designs that are both distinctive and responsive to the land. Every site has its own story, and every client brings a unique vision—our role is to merge the two, crafting homes that are as individual as the people who inhabit them.

The essence of Dean Larkin Design is timeless modernity— clean lines and a strong connection to context. The goal is resonance: homes that feel destined for their sites and empowering to their residents. As Dean often notes, “Great architecture does more than just work… It transcends itself, its occupants and its environment,”

Dean Larkin Design was established in Los Angeles in 1999. This modern architecture firm maximizes the intrinsic potential of a location while meeting each client’s specific lifestyle, business or institutional needs. Dean Larkin Design is very familiar with both historical and contemporary homes in So Cal and the entire Los Angeles area. For a residential Architect in Altadena CA whose design is modern and innovative, unlocks your location’s innate potential by making specific use of light, views and more, and is uniquely designed for the way you live, contact us for a consultation.