Commercial Building Architecture

Build Your Brand With Eye Catching Architecture

San Diego businesses come to us when they are looking to add a premium feel to their space by investing in modern + minimalist architecture. If you are looking to stand out from the competition, our team can help you create a unique space tailored to your company.

How We’ll Help Your San Diego Business with Commercial Tennant Improvement

Looking to integrate high-end modern design into your commercial business space? Our award-winning modern architecture studio has over a decade of experience designing custom commercial spaces in San Diego. We know how to make your space look beautiful while also being functional.

Our process is streamlined so you can get from concept to completion without any hassle or headaches. You’ll be able to focus on running your business instead of worrying about building codes and permits.

Watch the video here to learn more about our signature architecture process. And if you're ready to chat about your project, use the button below to book a consultation with us.

Book a Commercial Consultation

Classic Design Process

All our projects follow our 4-phase creative process. This provides a roadmap for design while allowing the flexibility to take our client's needs + goals into consideration.

Contemporary Design Tools

We combine a classical architecture approach with state of the art tools. Technology allows us to tour your project in the digital realm, view photo-realistic renderings, or 3D print study models.

Modern + Minimalist Spaces

We specialize in the styles of modernism to minimalism (+ the various modern styles in between). Rest assured, we have the expertise to create a space just as unique as your company.

Integrated Permitting

Permitting gets more difficult every year in California. We have staff with permitting expertise, ready to provide you an integrated design + permitting process.

Key Features of Our
Modern Commercial Work

Commercial architecture comes with a unique set of challenges compared to residential projects. We understand the unique pressures on business owners and will work with you to develop a strategy to ensure your project gets done on time and within your budget - while still delivering elegant modern design.

A Proven Process
For Designing
Modern Commercial Spaces

We utilize a classic architecture process supplemented with contemporary design tools - it's the best of both worlds.

Having a well defined creative process creates a level of comfort in an otherwise unknown environment. Through this process we are able to collect + apply your design input though our scheduled design meetings. We can't design modern spaces without you!

Architecture design process for commercial buildings in San Diego

3D Renderings To See What Your New Commercial Space Could Look Like

As part of our design process we will produce realistic architectural renderings of your project.

These images will help you better understand the spaces + materials we are proposing. Architectural renderings are a newer tool we can use to design the perfect modern space for you.  

3D Renderings of Modern Commercial Architecture Designs

Expert Permitting
To Make Your Project Happen On Time

After we finish our design process we can roll your project right into the permitting phase. Let us do the hard work for you!

We have an in-office permitting expert who specializes in projects within the City of San Diego. Of course we have also permitted various projects throughout most of San Diego County + beyond.

Permitting Commercial Architecture Projects in San Diego

Get Started On Your Project, In Just 3 Easy Steps.

Book a Consultation

Learn More About Us +
Your Building Options in San Diego County

Talk to Us About Your Project to Plan a Strategy + Get Your Questions Answered

Have a Plan to Confidently Make a Decision and Hire a Modern Architect

See How We’ve Helped Our Past Commercial Clients

Businesses face a ton of competition in the City of San Diego. Our modern architecture studio has over a decade of experience helping our commercial clients design + build memorable spaces that keep customers coming back.

See What Our Client’s Have To Say About Working With Us

“Ten Seventy Architecture was the architect for my wife and I's home in Mission Hills, CA. Sean went out of his way to provide a clear process from start to completion. Sean listened to our ideas and had even better ones for us to review and approve. I highly recommend this company for residential architecture.”

Curtis P.

“Sean and Margaret have one of the best teams in town. They gave wonderful ideas and took the time to listen to my ideas. All of the plan designs were done according to schedule and they always responded to my calls or emails. If you want a professional who is on time and truly cares about your project, look no further and hire them!”

Valerie O.

"Sean is the guy if you are looking for a San Diego architect. I was referred to him via a mutual business connection, and couldn't be happier with his work...The final product was phenomenal. I could not be happier. His work was not only exactly what I was looking for, but he did it in a timely fashion."

Alexandra G.

"An element we loved about Sean was his ability to see creatively from the very beginning. And I can tell you that when we walked out of the meeting with Sean, we both looked at each other and said: “That’s the guy we want” And we’ve had no regrets ever since."

Tom R.

"Ten Seventy Architecture is very easy to work with. They ask the right questions and take your needs into account when designing and are able to produce layouts that are functional. Their team is knowledgeable, creative and spot on. I always look forward to working on projects with them, it’s a collaborative effort from start to finish. Keep designing smart."

Brenda W.

"I worked with Sean in the renovation of my East Village house that is 100 years old. He is very easy to get along with, very knowledgeable and professional. He is skilled in creating small but creative and functional spaces and he is practical in solutions. We have another project now and we would like to work with him again."

Sonya O.

"Sean Canning is an amazing architect.  As a landscape designer I have been on 2 projects transformed by his extraordinary design expertise. You should call 1070 Architecture if you desire a vision for your home beyond anything you could have anticipated."

Brookside Lanscape Design

"Working with the Ten Seventy Architecture team has been excellent. They have worked on various projects with us from our San Diego Penthouse to our Warehouse space. They are very professional and just as importantly, very creative."

Victor N.

See What Our Client’s Have To Say About Working With Us

“Ten Seventy Architecture was the architect for my wife and I's home in Mission Hills, CA. Sean went out of his way to provide a clear process from start to completion. Sean listened to our ideas and had even better ones for us to review and approve. I highly recommend this company for residential architecture.”

Curtis P.

“Sean and Margaret have one of the best teams in town. They gave wonderful ideas and took the time to listen to my ideas. All of the plan designs were done according to schedule and they always responded to my calls or emails. If you want a professional who is on time and truly cares about your project, look no further and hire them!”

Valerie O.

"Sean is the guy if you are looking for a San Diego architect. I was referred to him via a mutual business connection, and couldn't be happier with his work...The final product was phenomenal. I could not be happier. His work was not only exactly what I was looking for, but he did it in a timely fashion."

Alexandra G.

"An element we loved about Sean was his ability to see creatively from the very beginning. And I can tell you that when we walked out of the meeting with Sean, we both looked at each other and said: “That’s the guy we want” And we’ve had no regrets ever since."

Tom R.

"Ten Seventy Architecture is very easy to work with. They ask the right questions and take your needs into account when designing and are able to produce layouts that are functional. Their team is knowledgeable, creative and spot on. I always look forward to working on projects with them, it’s a collaborative effort from start to finish. Keep designing smart."

Brenda W.

"I worked with Sean in the renovation of my East Village house that is 100 years old. He is very easy to get along with, very knowledgeable and professional. He is skilled in creating small but creative and functional spaces and he is practical in solutions. We have another project now and we would like to work with him again."

Sonya O.

"Sean Canning is an amazing architect. As a landscape designer I have been on 2 projects transformed by his extraordinary design expertise. You should call 1070 Architecture if you desire a vision for your home beyond anything you could have anticipated."

Brookside Lanscape Design

"Working with the Ten Seventy Architecture team has been excellent. They have worked on various projects with us from our San Diego Penthouse to our Warehouse space. They are very professional and just as importantly, very creative."

Victor N.

Get To Know The People Behind Our Modern Architecture Studio

Our architecture studio takes pride in the due diligence we apply to every project we take on. When you work with us, you're getting a team of professionals dedicated to the success of your project.

Got Questions? We Have Answers

How Much Does a Commercial Tenant Improvement Project Typically Cost?

Commercial tenant improvement projects can be pretty expensive so it’s important to have an understanding of the costs before you begin your project. To answer this question lets break the project into a few categories below.

Soft Costs include design, engineering, consultants, + permitting. Every project is different + will require different professionals. Most tenant improvement projects we work on include an architect (obviously), a mechanical / electrical engineer, + an energy consultant (who produces the “Title-24 Report”).

In California the submittal package for a permit can be pretty intensive so we have set a minimum fee of $20k for our architectural design package. We do offer commercial schematic design services for projects which don’t require a permit at a significantly discounted cost. Permitting is also a type of soft cost.

Permitting will vary greatly in price depending on the municipality + the type of permit. A Coastal Development Permit or Site Development Permit will be considerably more expensive than a more simple permit.

Hard Costs are directly related to construction including materials and labor. Since the beginning of the global pandemic construction prices have increased.

Currently in Southern California minimum construction costs are around $200-300 per square foot depending on the features + finishes of the project.

How Long Does a Commercial Tenant Improvement Project Usually Take?

When it comes to commercial tenant improvement projects, time is of the essence! You should start by requesting record drawings from the building owner or property management as they will be critical to modifying the previously tenant’s space.

Next we would schedule a time to measuring / documenting the existing conditions then we would researching relevant codes, + meeting with municipal staff to get clarification on development options.

Once we’re able to begin design we will go though a predetermined amount of meetings, progressing the design forward in each. The goal through this process is to move from more vague ideas to more detailed specifications.

Smaller projects can take as little as 1 month to design while larger projects will take longer.

When the design is completed we are ready to produce our architectural construction drawings + begin any engineering needed. This phase can take a month or so depending on the complexity of the project.

Now we’re ready for permitting! Permitting timelines are highly variable, ranging from as little as 3 months for more straightforward tenant improvement projects. Construction is also highly variable + will depend mostly on your general contractor. Even smaller construction projects will take at least 6 months. Larger projects can take a year or more to complete.

What Do I Need to Know About Permitting a Commercial Tenant Improvement?

The good news is you don’t need to know much about permitting your home. We can help you get your project submitted, then guide you though the entire process!  

It is important to understand the type of permit your project requires. At the most basic level, your permit will either be ministerial or discretionary.

Ministerial permits are much more straight forward + easier to achieve. Discretionary permits typically require more time, money, + more decision makers are involved in the approval + issuance.

Do You Work on Commercial Projects?

Yes we do work on commercial projects!  We have designed + permitted several tenant improvements (which are interior remodels of commercial spaces). Typically a tenant improvement is completed when a business leases a new commercial space.  

If you’re moving into a new commercial space or would like to remodel your existing space, please use the form at the bottom of this page to book a consultation.

Do You Offer Virtual Consultations?

Yes! We offer virtual consultations at an hourly rate.  

After you book a consultation + we discuss your project, if you’d like more specific information, please let us know so we can schedule a follow up virtual consultation. Book a consultation by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.

How Do I Start a Commercial Tenant Improvement Project?

You’re already in the right place! We should start your project with a conversation about your scope of work, budget, + timeframe. Book a consultation by filling out the form right below.