Darden Architects, Inc .
Darden Architects is a Fresno, California-based architectural, planning, and interior design firm founded in 1959, serving K-12 school districts, community colleges, healthcare systems, and government agencies throughout California's Central Valley with BIM-enabled design and regulatory expertise.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersFresno, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Darden Architects, Inc . does
Darden Architects, Inc. is a privately-held architectural, planning, and interior design firm founded in 1959 and headquartered in Fresno, California. The firm provides comprehensive design services to institutional clients throughout California, with primary concentration in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley regions. Its client base spans four verticals: K-12 school districts, higher education institutions (community colleges and universities), healthcare systems, and government/municipal agencies. Named marquee clients include Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified, Sanger Unified, State Center Community College District, Valley Children's Hospital, Sierra View Medical Center, and Kaweah Delta Health Care District.
The firm's service portfolio covers architectural design, interior design, sustainable design, construction administration, in-house construction cost estimating, graphic design, educational planning and programming, state agency liaison (DSA, OPSC), healthcare code compliance (HCAI/OSHPD, CDPH), and community college capital outlay proposal services. Technology delivery is anchored in Building Information Modeling (BIM), REVIT, and 3D visualization tools, supported by LEED Accredited Professionals on staff. The firm operates as a traditional professional services practice with project-based pricing negotiated via RFP processes with public institutions, and maintains long-term relationships with district administrators and facility managers. Darden is independently owned, currently in its fourth generation of leadership under Managing Principal Robert L. Petithomme, with a leadership team of six principals and five associates. The firm is licensed as a California corporation, has no disclosed parent company, subsidiaries, or external investors, and has earned regional and national recognition including consecutive Best Architectural Firm awards from the Central Valley Business Journal and the 2017 NCARB/AIA Intern Development Program Firm Award.
Darden Architects, Inc . firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Darden Architects, Inc .
- Legal name
- Darden Architects, Inc.
- Website
- https://dardenarchitects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Darden Architects is a Fresno, California-based architectural, planning, and interior design firm founded in 1959, serving K-12 school districts, community colleges, healthcare systems, and government agencies throughout California's Central Valley with BIM-enabled design and regulatory expertise.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Darden Architects, Inc . industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK), Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG)
Keywords
Where Darden Architects, Inc . is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fresno
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Darden Architects, Inc . business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architecture and Design Services: Professional services revenue generated from providing comprehensive architectural, planning, and interior design services to institutional clients including school districts, community colleges, healthcare facilities, and civic organizations throughout California.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Architect Position |
| Other | Annual | Intermediate Architectural Designer |
| Other | Annual | Construction Cost Estimator |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Darden Architects, Inc . product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Darden Architects delivers comprehensive architectural, planning, and interior design services to institutional clients throughout California, with primary verticals in K-12 education, higher education, healthcare (HCAI/OSPHC-governed), and civic/government facilities. The firm provides integrated design using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and REVIT, supplemented by in-house construction cost estimating, sustainable/LEED design, graphic design, construction administration, and state agency liaison (DSA, OPSC). All services are delivered through project-based engagements with public-sector and institutional clients across the San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley.
Product overview
Darden Architects, Inc. is an architectural, planning, and interior design firm that offers a comprehensive suite of professional services rather than a traditional product portfolio. The firm's core offerings include Architectural Design Services, K-12 Education Design, Higher Education Design, Healthcare Facilities Design, Interior Design Studio, and Civic Architecture. Supporting services include Construction Cost Estimating, Sustainable Design, Graphic Design, Educational Planning & Programming, Construction Administration, State Agency Liaison, and Healthcare Design Code Compliance. The firm utilizes Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology as a design and documentation platform. All services are delivered through integrated, collaborative teams combining architectural and interior design expertise.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Design Services Comprehensive architectural design services including thoughtful planning, design excellence, quality detailing, and timeless architecture for educational, healthcare, civic, and commercial projects throughout California.
- K-12 Education Design Architectural, planning, and interior design services for TK-12 school districts, including elementary schools, secondary schools, and educational centers throughout California.
- Higher Education Design
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully brought complex projects in under budget with minimum of contract change orders
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Darden Architects, Inc .
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Darden Architects, Inc . technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Darden Architects, Inc . partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Buehler EngineeringcoreEngineering consultant on Madera Community College Academic Village Two project, providing structural engineering services as part of the integrated design team.
- Lawrence Engineering GroupcoreEngineering consultant on Madera Community College Academic Village Two project, providing mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering services.
- Hardin Davidson EngineeringcoreEngineering consultant on Madera Community College Academic Village Two project.
- Blair Church & FlynncoreEngineering/structural consultant on Madera Community College Academic Village Two project.
- Robert Boro Landscape ArchitectcoreLandscape architecture consultant on Madera Community College Academic Village Two project, providing site and landscape design services.
- Dekker/Perich/SabatinicoreDesign Architect on California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine project, working with Darden Architects as Architect of Record.
- BMY ConstructioncoreGeneral contractor on multiple projects including Parlier High School CTE building and Madera Community College Academic Village Two.
- Turner ConstructioncoreGeneral contractor on regional civic projects.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Darden Architects, Inc . competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Quattrocchi Kwok Architects: California-based architecture firm with deep specialization in K-12 and community college design. Mirrors Darden's vertical focus, DSA familiarity, public-sector RFP go-to-market, and regional California footprint, making it the closest head-to-head peer.
- HMC Architects: California-headquartered firm with concentrated practices in education, healthcare, and civic sectors. Overlaps Darden in DSA/OSPD/HCAI expertise, BIM-based delivery, and long-tenured public-sector client relationships.
- PBK: Architecture and engineering firm specializing in K-12, higher education, and healthcare. Comparable in vertical mix and regulatory expertise, with similar delivery model and public-sector RFP orientation.
- SVA Architects: California-based firm focused on educational facilities including K-12 and community colleges. Competes with Darden for the same California public-school district and community college RFPs.
- CAW Architects: California architecture firm with strong K-12 and community college practice, including modernized facility work. Comparable size, geography, and institutional client base to Darden.
- WLC Architects: California firm specializing in K-12, community college, and public-safety facilities. Strong match on vertical focus (DSA-experienced), geography, and project scope.
Broad incumbents
- LPA Design Studios: Large integrated design firm with major California presence in K-12, higher education, and healthcare. Competes for the same institutional RFPs but operates at significantly greater scale with research-driven and evidence-based design practices.
- DLR Group: National integrated design firm with strong K-12 and healthcare practices. Frequently competes for California district-wide bond programs that Darden also targets, but at much larger headcount and a broader geographic reach.
- SmithGroup: Integrated design firm with national higher education and healthcare practices. Comparable in healthcare and education expertise, including work on HCAI-style regulated projects, but at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
Regional players
- AC Martin Partners: Los Angeles-based architecture firm with broader commercial, civic, and higher education reach. Competes with Darden on California institutional projects but is anchored in Southern California rather than the Central Valley.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Darden Architects, Inc . social profiles
Digital presenceDarden Architects, Inc . financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Darden Architects, Inc . leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Darden Architects, Inc . funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Darden Architects, Inc . M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Darden Architects, Inc .
What does Darden Architects, Inc . do?
Darden Architects delivers comprehensive architectural, planning, and interior design services to institutional clients throughout California, with primary verticals in K-12 education, higher education, healthcare (HCAI/OSPHC-governed), and civic/government facilities. The firm provides integrated design using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and REVIT, supplemented by in-house construction cost estimating, sustainable/LEED design, graphic design, construction administration, and state agency liaison (DSA, OPSC). All services are delivered through project-based engagements with public-sector and institutional clients across the San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley.
Is Darden Architects, Inc . a public or private company?
Darden Architects, Inc . is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Darden Architects, Inc . founded?
Darden Architects, Inc . was founded in 1959. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Darden Architects, Inc . based?
Darden Architects, Inc . is headquartered in Fresno, United States, in the North America region.
How does Darden Architects, Inc . make money?
One revenue line is on record: architecture and Design Services.
Who are Darden Architects, Inc .'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, HMC Architects, PBK, SVA Architects, CAW Architects and WLC Architects. Broad incumbents are LPA Design Studios, DLR Group and SmithGroup. AC Martin Partners is listed as a regional player.
Does Darden Architects, Inc . have an API?
No public API is recorded for Darden Architects, Inc ..
What industry is Darden Architects, Inc . in?
Darden Architects, Inc .'s product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAB, Interior Design Services. Its NAICS code is 541310 and its SIC code is 8700.