Here is AN Interior’s first ever list of top 50 interior architects and designers

AN Interior 50

Welcome to AN Interior‘s inaugural top 50 interior architect and designer list, featuring emerging and established firms across the U.S. While these architects’ and designers’ talents certainly go beyond interior work, they are deftly pushing the boundaries of residential, retail, workplace, and hospitality spaces and cleverly reimagining the spaces we inhabit.

 

Ensamble Studio 

Boston, Madrid

Interior view of the Reader's House, Madrid (Roland Halbe, Ensamble Studio).
Reader's House, Madrid (Roland Halbe, Ensamble Studio).

With a distinct focus on the process of making, Ensamble Studio leverages material technologies to produce dramatic spaces and forms.

 

64North

Los Angeles

Interior view of Amazebowls, Los Angeles (64 North).
Amazebowls, Los Angeles (64 North).

Multidisciplinary studio 64North provides branding, interiors, website, and product design services.

 

Architecture is Fun

Chicago

Interior view of Young at Art Museum, Davie, Florida (Architecture Is Fun)
Young at Art Museum, Davie, Florida (Architecture Is Fun).

As the name implies, Architecture is Fun produces playful designs, frequently working with children’s museums; it won AIA Chicago’s 2017 Firm of the Year award.

 

UrbanLab

Chicago, Los Angeles

Interior view of Shane Campbell Gallery, Chicago (Urban Lab).
Shane Campbell Gallery, Chicago (Urban Lab).

UrbanLab’s highly graphic design sensibility brings together smart solutions and visual identity in projects ranging from small storefronts to urban infrastructures.

 

Design, Bitches

Chicago, Los Angeles

Interior view of Little Octopus, Nashville (Design, Bitches).
Little Octopus, Nashville (Design, Bitches).

The irreverent work of Design, Bitches employs layers of color, light, and material to build engaging interior spaces across Southern California.

 

LADG

Los Angeles

Portrait of LADG
LADG principals Claus Benjamin Freyinger and Andrew Holder (LADG).

LADG produces uncanny forms and clever spaces by leveraging common construction materials.

 

Toshiko Mori Architect

New York

Interior view of Loft, New York (Toshiko Mori)
Loft, New York (Toshiko Mori).

The minimal interiors of Toshiko Mori belie their complexity, framing dramatic landscapes and challenging notions of craft.\

 

Young Projects

New York

Interior view of Gerken Residence, New York (Young Projects).
Gerken Residence, New York (Young Projects).

The formally expressive interiors and objects by Bryan Young utilize smooth geometries and refined materials.

 

tacklebox architecture

New York

Interior view of Bleecker Street Office, New York (tacklebox architecture).
Bleecker Street Office, New York (tacklebox architecture).

Tacklebox’s interiors are filled with “ordinary” materials deployed in unexpected ways, recontextualizing the quotidian.

 

Michael K Chen Architecture

New York

Interior view of Five to One Apartment, New York (Michael K Chen Architecture).
Five to One Apartment, New York (Michael K Chen Architecture).

MKCA’s puzzle-like built-ins make the most of tiny living spaces.

 

NADAAA

New York, Boston

Interior view of Daniels Building, Toronto (NADAAA).
Daniels Building, Toronto (NADAAA).

NADAAA’s work engages with high-tech material investigations and form finding.

 

LOT

New York, Athens

Interior view of Spectacle Design Miami (LOT).
Spectacle Design Miami (LOT).

The influence of LOT’s Greek office is clear in its mellow, refined interiors and the firm’s furniture line, Objects of Common Interest.

 

MOS Architects

New York

Interior view of Store, No 2, New York (Michael Vahrenwald/Esto).
Store, No 2, New York (Michael Vahrenwald/Esto).

The highly intellectual work of MOS plays on contemporary and historical architectural philosophies.

 

Norman Kelley

Chicago, New York

Portrait of Norman Kelley principals Carrie Norman and Thomas Kelley (Norman Kelley).
Norman Kelley principals Carrie Norman and Thomas Kelley (Norman Kelley).

A self-described superficial practice, Carrie Norman and Thomas Kelley explore the concepts of play, illusion, and flatness, all within an often tongue-in-cheek understanding of historical precedent.

 

Snarkitecture

New York

detail view of Odin, New York (Snarkitecture).
Odin, New York (Snarkitecture).

It should be no surprise that a firm named Snarkitecture produces works that are often outlandish—tempered by clean, white color palettes.

 

INABA Williams

New York

Interior view of Red Bull New York Office (INABA Williams).
Red Bull New York Office, INABA Williams (Greg Irikura)

Part think tank and part design firm, every INABA Williams project is rooted in an in-depth research process.

 

Elliott + Associates Architects

Oklahoma City

Interior view of Cafe 501, Oklahoma City (Elliot + Associates).
Cafe 501, Oklahoma City (Elliot + Associates).

Rand Elliott has been focusing the country’s attention on Oklahoman design for the past 40 years.

 

SPAN Architecture 

New York

Interior view of Kips Bay Show House, New York (SPAN).
Kips Bay Show House, New York (SPAN).

SPAN creates high-finish spaces full of carefully chosen materials and details.

 

Home Studios

New York

Interior view of Bibo Ergo Sum, Los Angeles (Home Studios).
Bibo Ergo Sum, Los Angeles (Home Studios).

Home Studios produces polished, finely detailed commercial and hospitality interiors filled with fine wood, stone, and metal detailing.

Architecture in Formation

New York

Interior view of ESPASSO Gallery, New York (Architecture in Formation).
ESPASSO Gallery, New York (Architecture in Formation).

Architecture in Formation brings together eclectic styles for a wide range of projects, from large hospitality to urban lofts.

 

Only If—

New York

Interview view of An Office for Three Companies, New York (Midori Hasuike/Only If-).
An Office for Three Companies, New York (Midori Hasuike/Only If-).

Only If— fuses smart geometries with clever materials for striking interiors.

 

Ezequiel Farca + Cristina Grappin

Los Angeles, Mexico City, Milan

Portrait of Partners Ezequiel Farca and Cristina Grappin of Ezequiel Farca (Ezequiel Farca + Cristina Grappin)
Partners Ezequiel Farca and Cristina Grappin of Ezequiel Farca (Ezequiel Farca + Cristina Grappin)

Ezequiel Farca + Cristina Grappin draw from their collaborations with Mexican artisans and use local materials to create contextual works for high-end clients.

 

Bureau Spectacular

Los Angeles

Interior view of Frankie, Los Angeles (Bureau Spectacular).
Frankie, Los Angeles (Bureau Spectacular).

The comic book sensibility of Bureau Spectacular delves beyond the superficial with spaces that encourage the occupants to live a less ordinary life.

 

Barbara Bestor

Los Angeles

Portrait of Principal Barbara Bestor (Barbara Bestor Architecture)
Principal Barbara Bestor (Barbara Bestor Architecture).

Between her many residential and commercial projects across L.A. and her book, Bohemian Modern: Living in Silver Lake, Barbara Bestor is an influential force on Southern Californian design.

 

Johnsen Schmaling Architects

Milwaukee

Interior view of Downtown Bar, Milwaukee (Johnsen Schmaling Architects)
Downtown Bar, Milwaukee (Johnsen Schmaling Architects).

Johnsen Schmaling translates the beauty of the rural upper Midwest into site-specific residential projects.

 

Morris Adjmi Architects

New York

Portrait of Founder Morris Adjmi (Lisa Mahar/Morris Adjmi Architects)
Founder Morris Adjmi (Lisa Mahar/Morris Adjmi Architects)

Carefully proportioned spaces and forms—and a sensitivity to history— define Morris Adjmi’s elegant work.

 

Neil M. Denari Architects

Los Angeles

Exterior view of the Alan Voo House, Los Angeles (Neil M. Denari Architects)
Alan Voo House, Los Angeles (Neil M. Denari Architects)

Teaching at UCLA in addition to running his practice, Neil M. Denari is a perennial thought leader in the space where technology and architectural form meet.

 

WORKac

New York

Interior view of the Weiden+Kennedy, New York (Bruce Damonte/Work AC).
Weiden+Kennedy, New York (Bruce Damonte/Work AC).

With clever twists on typical programs, WORKac’s interiors are unexpected and playful.

 

archimania

Memphis

Memphis Teacher Residency, Memphis (Archimania).

The progressive Memphis-based firm is taking a leading role in redefining what architecture can be in the Southeast through its numerous projects and help in redeveloping its city’s waterfront.

 

Shulman + Associates

Miami

Interior view of Lindemann Residence, Miami (Shulman+Associates).
Lindemann Residence, Miami (Shulman+Associates).

Shulman + Associates draw on the history, materials, and culture of South Florida to formulate vibrant, innovative commercial and residential interiors.

 

Clive Wilkinson Architects

Los Angeles

Intuit Marine Way Building, San Francisco (Clive Wilkinson Architects).

Focusing on workplace and educational facilities, Clive Wilkinson has helped define the aesthetics of contemporary creative professional and learning spaces.

 

Rafael de Cárdenas Architecture at Large

New York

Interior view of the Manor House Pool (Rafael De Cardenas).
Manor House Pool (Rafael De Cardenas).

Native New Yorker Rafael de Cárdenas incorporates ’80s and ’90s glamour and pop culture into his high-profile endeavors.

 

Studio O+A

San Francisco

Interior view of The Water Cooler, Milan (Lorenza Mercuri/Studio O+A).
The Water Cooler, Milan (Lorenza Mercuri/Studio O+A).

The workspaces designed by Studio O+A express its clients’ stories and personalities, pushing the envelope of the modern office.

 

New Affiliates

New York

Interior view of Bed-Stuy Loft, New York (Michael Vahrenwald/Esto).
Bed-Stuy Loft, New York (Michael Vahrenwald/Esto).

New Affiliates works in “loose forms and rough materials” to create elegant spaces.

 

Biber Architects

New York

Interior view of The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee (Biber Architects).
The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee (Biber Architects).

James Biber approaches every project with a fresh vision, letting design and function guide the form.

 

Olson Kundig

Seattle

Interior view of Media Headquarters, New York (Olson Kundig).
Media Headquarters, New York (Olson Kundig).

With a dedicated interiors studio, Olson Kundig has redefined the Pacific Northwest architectural typology.

 

OFFICIAL

Dallas

Interior view of Houndstooth Coffee, Dallas (Robert Yu/OFFICIAL)
Houndstooth Coffee, Dallas (Robert Yu/OFFICIAL)

OFFICIAL designs bright interiors with pops of color and custom furnishings. The two-person studio also has its own furniture line.

 

Aidlin Darling Design

San Francisco

Interior view of Windhover Contemplative Center, Stanford (Aidlin Darling Design).
Interior view of Windhover Contemplative Center, Stanford (Aidlin Darling Design).

Materials are at the forefront of and celebrated in each project by Aidlin Darling Design.

 

Leong Leong 

New York

Interior view of Past Futures, Present, Futures, New York (Leong Leong).
Past Futures, Present, Futures, New York (Leong Leong).

Brothers Christopher and Dominic Leong use broad, decisive formal moves to organize space into crisp, refined interiors.

Alexander Gorlin Architects

New York

Interior view of the Bell Works, New Jersey (Michael Moran/Alexander Gorlin Architects)
Bell Works, New Jersey (Michael Moran/Alexander Gorlin Architects).

For the past two decades, even when minimalism reigned, Alexander Gorlin has been layering colors and patterns with great success.

 

Craig Steely Architecture

San Francisco

Interior view of Pam & Paul's House, Cupertino (Darren Bradley/Craig Steely).
Pam & Paul's House, Cupertino (Darren Bradley/Craig Steely).

Craig Steely celebrates the tropical locales of his projects with interiors that reflect and embrace the native flora.

 

Aranda\Lasch

New York, Tuscon

Interior view of Valextra Bal Harbor store
Valextra Bal Harbor (Aranda\Lasch).

Truly experimental, Aranda\Lasch explores pattern and fabrications as easily as space and form.

 

Andre Kikoski Architect

New York

Interior view of One Hudson Yards Lobby, New York (Andre Kikoski Architect).
One Hudson Yards Lobby, New York (Andre Kikoski Architect).

Known for creating everything from architectural interiors to furniture and finishes, Andre Kikoski consistently delivers refined designs.

 

SO-IL

New York

Exterior view of Mini Living, Milan (SO-IL).
Mini Living, Milan (SO-IL).

Airy and ethereal, yet highly programmatic, the formal and material exercises by SO-IL are unmistakable.

 

Peter Marino Architect

New York

Interior view of Dior London (Peter Marino Architect).
Dior London (Peter Marino Architect).

Leather-clad Peter Marino is the go-to for sumptuous interiors in high-end retail and hospitality around the world.

 

Slade Architecture 

New York

Interior view of Hudson Passive Project, Hudson (BarlisWedlick Architects).
Miami Residence, Miami (Slade Architecture).

Slade’s lighthearted approach brings together form, color, pattern, and material.

 

Charlap Hyman & Herrero

Los Angeles, New York

interior view of Hudson Passive Project, Hudson (BarlisWedlick Architects).
Patrick Parrish Gallery - The Salon Art + Design, New York (Charlap Hyman & Herrero).

Bold interior forms with a refined material palette typify the work of RISD graduates Andre Herrero and Adam Charlap Hyman.

 

BarlisWedlick

New York

Interior view of the Hudson Passive Project, Hudson (BarlisWedlick Architects).
Hudson Passive Project, Hudson (BarlisWedlick Architects).

BarlisWedlick produces super-efficient, passive projects without neglecting aesthetics.

 

Schiller Projects

New York

Interior view of the Chilmark House, Martha's Vineyard by Schiller Projects
Chilmark House, Martha's Vineyard (Schiller Projects).

Schiller Projects works through analytic research to design everything from architecture to branding.

Reddymade Design

New York

Portrait of Principal Suchi Reddy (Reddymade Design).
Principal Suchi Reddy (Reddymade Design).

Reddymade’s interiors are influenced by founder Suchi Reddy’s Indian upbringing, with lush colors, patterns, and rich materials.