A coastal home does more than shelter its occupants—it responds to natural light, the surrounding terrain, and the rhythms of daily life. The 2026 Top Coastal Architects list from Ocean Home spotlights firms that craft these spaces with precision, blending heritage and innovation while meeting the distinct challenges of seaside living.
How Leading Firms Shape Coastal Living
Christopher Architecture & Interiors, based in Birmingham, stands out for its unified approach to architecture and interiors. The firm recently won a Southeast LUXE RED Award for Exterior Architecture and is finalizing its first coffee table book, which celebrates its design philosophy. Currently, it is expanding into projects in Dallas, Alys Beach, and Lake Martin, while developing a Show House in Birmingham in collaboration with Christopher Kids, a local nonprofit.
Jeffrey Dungan Architecture in Los Angeles builds on Southern traditions, prioritizing handcrafted details and authentic materials. Its second book, The Soulful House (Rizzoli), released in September 2026, aligns with its recognition by Forbes as one of America’s top residential architects. Dungan’s own home, a project featured in T Magazine, embodies his design principles. His latest work includes a sandcastle-inspired residence in Manhattan Beach, where playful design meets structural strength.
Alloi Architecture + Construction in Los Angeles combines design-build efficiency with high-performance construction. Its Wagoya House won a Gold Nugget Grand Award, while the Santa Monica Canyon House, a 1,000-square-foot addition to a 2,200-square-foot residence, showcases how glass walls and clerestory windows can dissolve indoor-outdoor boundaries. The firm draws from Scandinavian minimalism and feng shui, creating spaces that feel modern yet deeply connected to nature.
Appleton Partners LLP rejects the idea that a successful practice must stick to a single aesthetic. Their recent projects, from the SYR Spa to renovations at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, span diverse styles, proving adaptability is key. Upcoming work includes a California ranch in Santa Ynez and a historic remodel in Montecito, where preservation meets modern functionality.
The 2026 Top Coastal Architects list spans beyond Southern California and the Southeast, with firms across the U.S. tackling regional challenges while upholding craftsmanship and resilience. In San Francisco, Butler Armsden Architects has begun renovating the city’s oldest surviving residence, an 1849 structure in Russian Hill. The project preserves historical integrity while adapting to modern needs.
On the East Coast, Cardello Architects is constructing a 30,000-square-foot modern waterfront home in Miami, while Charles Hilton Architects completed a 10,000-square-foot renovation in Montecito, earning its 100th design award. Hilton’s work spans Shingle Style and Mediterranean homes, often overlooking coastal views. In Rhode Island, Mark Finlay Architects finished a historic Shingle Style renovation in Watch Hill, a project celebrating the region’s architectural heritage. The firm’s 42nd anniversary in 2026 marked another milestone in its commitment to contextual design.
Distinctive Approaches and Upcoming Projects from 2026’s Top Coastal Architects
Brandon Architects focuses on emotionally resonant luxury spaces, now expanding into environment and interior design for select projects. The firm secured its first residential tower in Dallas and is advancing a 6,700-acre ranch in Utah, alongside new developments in Cabo San Lucas, Montana, and Florida. Meanwhile, Butler Armsden balances timeless craftsmanship with contextual relevance, recently renovating San Francisco’s oldest surviving 1849 residence and planning projects in Stinson Beach and Sea Cliff, where Golden Gate Bridge views shape their designs.
Global Expansion: Firms Shaping International Coastal Living
In Florida, Scott Hughes Architects has completed over 45 projects on Jupiter Island, including Tree Tops, a 6,200-square-foot home recognized by the AIA Treasure Coast. The firm’s work now extends to Montana and Italy, reflecting a shift toward globally inspired yet locally rooted designs.
Brillhart Architecture and Choeff Levy Fischman are leading tropical modernism in Miami and Tampa, with the latter earning awards for homes in Boca Raton and Miami Beach. Meanwhile, Khoury Vogt Architects in Alys Beach is breaking ground on an oceanfront home in Ocean Reef Club (Key Largo) and preparing its first coffee table book, Home by the Sea, for release in 2027. The firm’s boutique hotel and restaurant work at Kaiya Beach Resort further establishes its role in shaping Florida’s architectural identity.
