About

Guided by our tailored and collaborative approach, our process is a journey that focuses on teamwork, communication, and a shared vision.

From our offices in San Francisco, Miami and London, at SB Architects (part of the Egis Group) we continually challenge ourselves to reach beyond our imagination to create inspiring hospitality, residential and mixed-use buildings and spaces all over the world, with a priority for projects that are right for our people, planet, client and community.

Our goal is to design soulful and inspiring destinations that connect people to place, elevate the human experience, strengthen the spirit of community, and simply exceed expectations.

 

Sustainability

At SB Architects, we design for life. From concept to creation, we strive to incorporate smart sustainability goals into every project and see it as our duty to promote impactful solutions for the next generation. All of our principals and most of our professional team members are LEED Accredited Professionals, we are a signatory to the AIA 2030 Commitment, and we have completed more than 10,000,000 square feet of LEED Certified living spaces. We are passionate about helping sustain life on earth and positively impacting the wider community. We are in it for the greater good.

 

Awards

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Diversity + Inclusion

Our success is a result of our people and, over the last 60 years, we’ve cultivated a warm, inclusive culture we’re incredibly proud of. We honor a collective spirit and work together as a team to design with purpose and create places with meaning, which can only be fostered by open communication and embracing everything that makes each of us unique.

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Building a Legacy

1960

Practice Established

Founder Donald Sandy launches his architectural practice in San Francisco. During these early years, the practice consists primarily of custom residential.

1964

Sea Ranch

Among the firm’s first commissions were eight of the early homes at Sea Ranch on North Coast of California.

1966

First Multi-Family Project

The firm lands its first major multifamily residential project, Woodside, a 750-unit apartment community in Sacramento, California.

1968

Partnership Formed

Jim Babcock joins as a partner, and the firm is renamed to ‘Donald Sandy Jr. AIA, James A. Babcock’.

1970

Prominence in California

The firm becomes the go-to firm for multi-family residential design in California.

Ocean House, an iconic beachfront property in Monterey, California, receives acclaim and is showcased in titles such as Architectural Record.

1975

Key Colony

In 1975, the opportunity to design the award-winning Key Colony condominiums in Key Biscayne, established SB Architects in Florida.

1975

Miami Office Opens

Following the Key Colony project win, the firm expands and opens an office in Miami, Florida.

1976

New Home in the Bay

Don and Jim establish a new home for the San Francisco office, retrofitting and breathing new life into an old body-shop.

1977

Donald Sandy, FAIA

Donald Sandy is named a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

 

 

1981

Sandy & Babcock, Inc

The firm officially becomes ‘Sandy & Babcock, Inc.’

1985

Fisher Island

The first residences are completed at Fisher Island, Miami, a multiple-award winning luxury resort community.

1986

Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island, an award-winning project in Charleston, South Carolina, sets the bar for sustainable coastal design.

1988

John Eller

John Eller, who joined the firm in 1977 as a junior draftsman, is named Chief Executive Officer.

1990

International Expansion

Sandy & Babcock expand into Asia and the Caribbean, forging an international practice.

1999

First Five-Star Hotel

The firm’s first five-star hotel, Anassa in Cyprus, opens to critical acclaim and is celebrated by Condé Nast as one of the ‘world’s ten best new hotels’.

2000

New Leadership

Scott Lee comes on-board as Principal.

2002

SB Architects

The firm becomes known as SB Architects.

2002

Reinventing Mixed-Use

Santana Row, lauded as an industry-leading urban mixed-use project, opens in San Jose, California.

At the time, Santana Row was considered to be “the most ambitious project of its kind in the United States”.

2003

New Headquarters

SB Architects moves its headquarters to a larger space on the sea lion-lined San Francisco waterfront.

2004

Calistoga Ranch Opens

Uniquely designed and tucked into a hidden canyon in the heart of Napa Valley, the award-winning Calistoga Ranch, opens its doors to the public.

2007

Founder Retires

Founder Donald Sandy, FAIA retires.

2007

Leadership Evolution

Bruce Wright and Mark Sopp are named Principals.

2008

Miami Relocation

Due to tremendous growth, the Miami office relocates to a new, expanded space in the heart of historic Coral Gables, Florida.

2008

Landmark Addition to the Miami Skyline

The 1060 Brickell towers are completed, becoming an integral part of the Miami Skyline.

2009

Growth in China

SB Architects increases reach across China, the second largest and fastest growing economy in the world, with boots on the ground.

The Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa at Mission Hills, Haikou, opens and claims the Guinness World Record as the ‘largest spa in the world’.

2012

Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens to rave reviews.

2015

A Fresh Perspective

Jorey ‘Shosh’ Friedman joins the leadership team as Principal.

2015

Renovating an Icon

SB Architects renovate the Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, the first hotel to be built on the island of Anguilla. The transformation secures numerous awards, being named ‘Best Resort’ by Hospitality Design; ‘Best Oceanfront Hotel’ by Architectural Digest; and ‘Best of the Best’ by Jet Setter.

2015

Fastest Growing Firm

As SB Architects celebrated 55 years of practice, it is also named one of the “Fast 100” (fastest-growing private companies in the San Francisco Bay Area) by the SF Business Times.

2017

Fisher Island Honored with AIA Miami Test of Time Award

This prestigious award recognizes projects, in operation over 25 years, that have made a significant and lasting impact on Miami’s urban landscape.

2018

Nurturing Future Talent

SB Architects and SFSU celebrate 25-years if collaboration, a partnership that has enhanced the experience of both the students and the firm.

2019

New Level of Luxury in Cyprus

AMARA Hotel opens in Limassol.

2020

New Look for the Future

SB Architects debuts a new website to celebrate 60 years of design.

2020

Six Decades of Innovation

SB Architects turns 60, a huge landmark for the firm.

2020

20 Years of Change

Scott Lee, Bruce Wright, and Mark Sopp celebrate 20 years of leadership with SB Architects.

2020

A New Home

The San Francisco office relocates to the historic Jackson Square, located in the heart of the bustling Financial District.

2021

Second Female Principal

SB Architects promotes Pinar Harris to Vice President and Principal.

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