--- title: "Horst Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/horst-architects-pfvwus-pf~310454802 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~310454802.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Horst Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8433ddbe0e4326a3_7661-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "247a Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California 92651, United States" latitude: 33.5429 longitude: -117.7813 phone: "(949) 494-9569" website: http://www.horst-architects.com rating: 5 review_count: 9 best_of_houzz_awards: 11 followers: 1575 last_updated: 2026-09-09 --- # Horst Architects Original Houzz profile: [Horst Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/horst-architects-pfvwus-pf~310454802) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Laguna Beach, CA - **Serves:** Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, La Jolla, West Hollywood, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Beverly Hills, Laguna Hills, Ladera Ranch, Pacific Palisades, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Corona del Mar, Foothill Ranch, Malibu, Portola Hills, Del Mar, San Joaquin Hills, Capistrano Beach, East Irvine, El Toro, Newport Coast, Orange County Metro - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2012–2022), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves "By fusing logic with imagination, truth with discovery, we bring transcendent environments to real-world situations." Horst Architects produces contemporary designs that bridge technology with cultural and environmental awareness. The spaces adhere to the principal of modernism, stripping away the extraneous and being somewhat reductive. The modern designs have a true interplay of light, material and form. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - Green Building - Space Planning - Universal Design - Site Preparation ### Areas Served - Los Angeles - San Diego - Irvine - Costa Mesa - Mission Viejo - Newport Beach - Lake Forest - Laguna Niguel - San Clemente - Aliso Viejo - La Jolla - West Hollywood - San Juan Capistrano - Dana Point - Beverly Hills - Laguna Hills - Ladera Ranch - Pacific Palisades - Laguna Beach - Laguna Woods - Corona del Mar - Foothill Ranch - Malibu - Portola Hills - Del Mar - San Joaquin Hills - Capistrano Beach - East Irvine - El Toro - Newport Coast - Orange County Metro ### Typical Job Cost $750,000 - 15 million These prices reflect project costs. Please contact us for more information. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Horst Architects | | Address | 247a Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California 92651, United States | | Phone | (949) 494-9569 | | Website | http://www.horst-architects.com | | Followers on Houzz | 1575 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://facebook.com/horstarchitectsinc - X (Twitter) — http://twitter.com/horstarchitects - LinkedIn — http://linkedin.com/company/horst-architects ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Horst Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/horst-architects-pfvwus-pf~310454802) - **Website:** http://www.horst-architects.com - **Phone:** (949) 494-9569 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AIA Orange County Chapter 2018 awards, AIA Orange County Chapter 2012 awards, -2 Residential Awards - 1 Residences have been a part of AIA Contemporary Art Home Tours Members Choice Award, 2009 Luxe Magazine, 2009 Interiors Magazine, - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2012–2022), for Service, Design. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 9 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — Dion Purdy, Aug. 2021** > We appreciate Horst Architects professional expertise in helping us securing a permit for our detached ADU expansion. They were always fast to respond and explain the process to us in detail. They are knowledgeable and we would totally recommend Horst Architects to our friends for their ADU needs. **★★★★★ — Brandy Sion, June 2021** > I contacted Horst Architects, I'm happy I found them. The experience they accumulated during the years is definitely a great advantage to me as a client. They know how to navigate through the complex world of the building and safety. The architectural plans include the engineering is completed and approved. We ready to start. I'm exited and happy with the results. **★★★★★ — Louis Desposito, June 2020** > Horst Architects are designing my new Laguna home. He passion and creativity have taken my ordinary, original concept and turned it into something spectacular. In addition, he is a really nice person to work and collaborate with, which is also reflected in his team. I highly recommend. **★★★★★ — Joud Construction, June 2020** > I have been working with Horst for two years, he is a very talented designer with great experience and knowledge, his office is in a very nice area of downtown of Laguna Beach with a wonderful staff, I am so happy working with him. **★★★★★ — Kathy Bronstein, March 2018** > I don't typically write reviews but my experience with Horst Architects has been so so positive and such a collaborative effort with Horst and his team allowing me to freely express my ideas, my inspirations, and even some "let's just see if this would work" concepts that I wanted to share my positive experience with any one else who might be thinking about building, rebuilding, improving or modifying a home, business, hotel or anything else. Horst is a visionary and truly focuses on the big picture, listening to his clients, learning about their lifestyle and life experiences that have influenced the way they live. Or better yet, the way they would like to start living or working in a special environment that he and his team custom create for each client. In my case I am downsizing from a very large home to something more manageable. The actual property has a home on it but it is being torn down to build a new one. To say the lot is challenging is an understatement, but somehow Horst has created a plan that maximizes what would have been an obstructed view, fir everything I need into the floor plan, created a spectacular and completely unique exterior elevation and added surprises to the plan that I would never have thought of. And all the while, because the new home will require HOA approval with different guidelines and restrictions than those imposed by the city, I believe he has figured out a way to work with all of these "rules" and still design something so amazing that I will love my new home. His style is unique and flexible but have no doubt, he is a master at contemporary and modern! He and the team are so accommodating and open to input that I look forward to every meeting. **★★★★★ — adam1gab, March 2013** > his design of our home in laguna beach, ca. was incredible and exciting, sitting on a cliff, facing the ocean! he was always there to make sure that during construction, his vision was completed and was so helpful when our builder ran into problems. amazing job!! **★★★★★ — charlie705, March 2013** > Horst Architects designed our 4,500 sq ft dream home in laguna Beach. We could not be any happier with the result. The architectual design is breath taking and many have said it is one of the most dramatic home designs in laguna Beach. Horst has our highest recomendation for anyone looking for a new home design or a home re-model. The end result with Host will be a design that is an architectual statement. > > Charlie Hawkins > Laguna Beach, CA **★★★★★ — Rosemarie Allaire Lighting Design, March 2013** > Horst is one of my favorite Architects! He is innovative and a true collaborator. > His work is thoughtful, creative and very detailed. I am fortunate that we have worked successfully together for many years on dozens of projects. > Horst is an inspirational designer! **★★★★★ — jeffhb, March 2013** > Horst is incredibly talented. In 2004, we purchased a dated and inefficient 1980s 2000 square foot two story condo with a spectacular setting and bay and ocean view and asked him to create a contemporary design and layout that was worthy of the setting. We gave him our requirements. He thought completely out of the box to come up with a spectacular result beyond our expectations. In addition to reorienting the entire home to take advantage of the view and make the interior as spectacular as the view, he somehow was able to work in his own idea, a two story volume large foyer to open up the entire home. The space is not only a work of art, but it works. Even with losing the space to the foyer, we have far more usable space than we had before the reconstruction. With the project completed in 2007, our home has been in art and architecture tours, in magazines and wows every visitor. ## Selected projects - [Irvine Cove Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/irvine-cove-residence-pj-vj~5498465) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: This coastal house is organized around a central courtyard that integrates interior and exterior living. - [Rockledge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rockledge-pj-vj~416159) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 27 - Description: Perched atop the vertical face of a rocky, coastal promontory in Laguna Beach, California this residence responds directly to the owner's brief for a relaxed family beach house. They desired a comfortable setting to engage with family and friends, while also enjoying the views and natural surroundings of the site. The benign coastal climate created the opportunity for the seamless integrate of interior and exterior space. - [The Strand](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-strand-pj-vj~109461) - Location: Dana Point, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: Horst Architects received a design award from the AIA Orange County Chapter for the Caya/ Saeman residence recently completed at The Strand in Dana Point. - [Malibu House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/malibu-house-pj-vj~5498551) - Location: Malibu, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: The site is a windswept stretch of beach sharing an intimate relationship with the forces of nature acting upon it. The adjacent, ardent hills speak to a distant time when this area was once inhabited by the Chumash Indians, drawn to this location for it’s fertile soil, along with plentiful hunting and fishing. This residence responds directly to the owner's brief for a relaxed family beach house. They desired a comfortable setting to engage with family and friends, while also enjoying the views… - [SoCal Modern Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/socal-modern-renovation-pj-vj~2741804) - Location: Santa Ana, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: The home site is nestled on the lush hilltop of Santa Ana. The owners Initially desired "just a remodel" but their passion and love of art and architecture paved the way for endless possibilities. With just one wall retained, we were free to express the design aspirations of our clients and inspired by her words " ...imagine that Philip Johnson's Glass House came and just floated on top of this house". - [Contemporary Coastal](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-coastal-pj-vj~1351292) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 18 - [Beck Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beck-residence-pj-vj~192296) - Location: Corona del Mar, CA - Photos: 19 - Description: Perched atop a rocky seaside promontory, this loft renovation is an efficient response to the problem of limited space with simplicity and restraint being the guiding principles of the design solution. The clients requested a design which would accommodate office work by day and intimate social and familial gatherings by night. The interior spaces have been completely reconfigured into an open plan evolving around a double height entry volume containing the principal stairway. Sliding partitions… - [Villa Azul - Beachfront Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/villa-azul-beachfront-living-pj-vj~2764916) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: This new coastal residence integrates interior and exterior living seamlessly, while also balances views with privacy, intimacy with communal living. - [The Strand- 15 Coral Cove](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-strand-15-coral-cove-pj-vj~5498429) - Location: Dana Point, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: The meditative intersection between sea and sky is the inspiration for this house. A subtle layering of form and materiality invite a play of light that awakens us to the variations of nature that are essential and constant. Indoor and outdoor living is orchestrated by balancing views with privacy, communal space with intimacy. - [Wohlner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wohlner-pj-vj~17295) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: This project explores the freedoms and constraints of working with the private seaside community of Three Arch Bay in Laguna Beach, CA. The intimate scale of an existing 1970’s beach cottage was retained with this renovation and addition. While a new dynamic, spatial configuration is created by the elimination of interior walls and some floor areas. Exterior openings have been modified to maximize expansive ocean views, breezes and natural light. A vacation home for a family of four including tw… - [Gustafson and Moore](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gustafson-and-moore-pj-vj~109176) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 16 - Description: This home found in Laguna Beach is sleek, chic and modern. With its openness to nature through floor to ceiling windows, it is given an even better view of Bluebird Canyon and the coastline of Laguna Beach. - [Modern Luxury Beach Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-luxury-beach-cottage-pj-vj~109195) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: A popular location for post-war, coastal vacation homes in south Laguna Beach found in southern CA, retains many of the intimately scaled cottage homes found from that era. An intimately 850 square-foot redwood, beach cottage built in 1948 stood on the site under a dense grove of eucalyptus trees. Programmatically, the owners wished for 2,500 square-foot living space for a family of four. The design evolved into a compound of structures in which the original cottage is connected to a separate, n… - [Hotel Seven4One](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hotel-seven4one-pj-vj~201750) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: This thirteen room boutique hotel in Laguna Beach, California, was recently renovated and remodeled by the local firm of Horst Architects. The project reflects a forward-looking, contemporary design aesthetic while at the same time, a contextual response to Laguna Beach's historic cottage aesthetic, such as the adjacent historic Orange Inn which was established in 1931. The facade is composed of reclaimed wood, Corten steel and a two-story green wall. The reclaimed wood was salvaged from buildin… - [Hawkins](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hawkins-pj-vj~109185) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: Communal space is expressed which blur the distinction between the exterior and the interior materials. Private spaces retain accessibility while providing privacy through opaque, inwardly focused elements and carefully positioned windows. The two blend seamlessly through limestone walls, suggesting earthbound permanence, whereas a metal butterfly roof line floats seemingly weightlessly. This duality is further engaged with furnishings and accessories ranging from antique to modern, strategicall… - [Mintzer Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mintzer-residence-pj-vj~17294) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: Carefully sited to embrace a large rock outcropping on a hillside site in Laguna Beach, CA, this project began from an initial conversation between owner and Horst while standing together on the site. The conversation evolved into a metaphorical narrative of two wooden shipping containers which fell onto the site from a cargo plane, one laying horizontally and the other standing vertically on the site. The horizontal box would be open ended, expansive and contain communal space. The vertical box… - [Donna Drive](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/donna-drive-pj-vj~109171) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Laguna Beach hillside lot located 150 feet from main road, constrained by existing contours of slope, landscape elements and irregular site shape. The goal was to accent the view of the ocean and the surrounding hillsides, while still providing privacy. This modern hillside home integrates distinctive spaces for living, working and sleeping, into a compound of three structures arranged around a private, subterranean central courtyard. The graceful driveway and a 4,000 square foot C-shaped reside… - [Seif](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/seif-pj-vj~109189) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: This residence is situation upon an oceanfront bluff in Laguna Beach, CA. The principle requirements of the owner were the maximize ocean views, maintain a sense of privacy and provide a suitable space for his art collection. An amorphous, curving copper skin is draped over the structure, pealing open in several areas to reveal discrete fissures of transparency, essentially cracks where the light comes in. The clear expression of the steel skeleton structure is filled with glass achieves seamles… - [Wohlner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wohlner-pj-vj~91023) - Location: Laguna Beach, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: This project explores the freedoms and constraints of working with the private seaside community of Three Arch Bay in Laguna Beach, CA. The intimate scale of an existing 1970’s beach cottage was retained with this renovation and addition. While a new dynamic, spatial configuration is created by the elimination of interior walls and some floor areas. Exterior openings have been modified to maximize expansive ocean views, breezes and natural light. A vacation home for a family of four including tw… - [Obagi Skin Health Institute](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/obagi-skin-health-institute-pj-vj~670761) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: The Obagi Skin Health Institute in Laguna Beach, California is a boutique medical, retail and educational facility for ZO Skin Health. The founder of the company, Dr. Zein Obagi, is a board certified practicing dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, and an author and educator that has presented more than 200 skin health lectures throughout the world. For more than 35 years Dr. Obagi has defined and continues to advance skincare to include the concept of creating and maintaining healthy skin… [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/horst-architects-pfvwus-pf~310454802) ## Ideabooks - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/69677049/list/wish-list) — 1 idea - [Contemporary Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8187123/list/contemporary-kitchens) — 37 ideas - [Beautiful Materials](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8187248/list/beautiful-materials) — 36 ideas - [Contemporary Entries](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/11859532/list/contemporary-entries) — 4 ideas - [Stunning Pools, Patios and Spas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8187174/list/stunning-pools-patios-and-spas) — 39 ideas - [Modern Home Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5271100/list/modern-home-ideas) — 98 ideas - [At the Beach](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5787071/list/at-the-beach) — 31 ideas - [Indoor/Outdoor Spaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/11180926/list/indoor-outdoor-spaces) — 9 ideas - [Contemporary Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5895508/list/contemporary-bathrooms) — 42 ideas - [Has the Wow Factor](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5398107/list/has-the-wow-factor) — 28 ideas - [Modern Landscape/Outdoors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5271235/list/modern-landscape-outdoors) — 66 ideas - [Clean and Simple](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7500666/list/clean-and-simple) — 19 ideas - [Hip Staircases](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5514317/list/hip-staircases) — 41 ideas [See all 13 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/horstarchitecture) ## Community Q&A **Q: Tree ❤️** *(in Photo Questions)* Gorgeous home! I love how the exterior limestone ties in with the corner half-wall surrounding the tree. Do you know what type of tree this is? A: Hi, This is a naked Coral Tree. **Q: Beautiful room, what is the brand and color of flooring please!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Aria Design designed the interiors. (For further questions please reach out to them.) **Q: Revêtement s'il** *(in Photo Questions)* Je souhaite connaître les références du revêtements de sol. Merci A: The floor is limestone, "Moka Cream". **Q: Dining chairs** *(in Photo Questions)* Where are these chairs available? A: We did not do the interior design for this project. **Q: Couch?** *(in Photo Questions)* What would i have to search to find that couch with the built in desk? A: I believe this was a custom design by the interior designer, Aria Design. **Q: Flooring** *(in Photo Questions)* Is this concrete stained flooring? If so, what color stain was used? A: That sounds correct to me as well. Thank you Prestige. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-09.*