Ranch Redux - Exterior view of linear kitchen counter window, with grassy landscaping in the foreground. Photograph by Trevor Tondro.

PROFILE

© Trevor Tondro

Clay Holden Architects is based in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, working across adaptive reuse, cultural, and high-end residential projects.

The work transforms existing buildings and creates new spaces defined by precision, material clarity, and a confident architectural presence. Projects span residential, civic, retail, and institutional work, integrating architecture and interiors into cohesive, purposeful environments.

Sustainability is approached as a baseline condition of design, with an emphasis on longevity, performance, and the use of authentic materials.

Recent residential work includes projects designed for long-term accessibility and care, where spatial clarity, circulation, and daily function are carefully considered to support evolving needs over time.

The practice has received recognition from AIA Los Angeles, Interior Design Magazine, Dezeen, and the Los Angeles Business Council, and was honored with the 2021 AIA Los Angeles Emerging Practice Award. Work has been published in The New York Times, Dwell, Elle Decoration (Germany), and California Style (Japan).

The studio is often commissioned by architects and design organizations for their own homes, offices, and community-focused spaces, and supports local schools and non-profit organizations through pro bono work and ongoing mentorship.

services

Architecture

Residential (High-End)
Adaptive Reuse & Renovation
Institutional
Retail (Selective)

Interiors

Interior Architecture
Interior Design

CULTURAL

Exhibition Design
Libraries & Museum Projects

Planning

Urban Design
Master Planning
Campus Planning
Feasibility Studies

Professional

Architecture & Interiors (Full Service)
Executive Architect (AOR)
Construction Administration
Creative Direction

our design approach

We approach each project through clarity of space, material, and use—seeking solutions that are direct, precise, and grounded in context.

© Benny Chan / Fotoworks

Our work is rooted in the transformation of existing buildings and the careful integration of architecture and interiors. We prioritize authentic materials, thoughtful detailing, and a clear relationship between form and function.

Sustainability is treated as a baseline condition—embedded in decisions about structure, systems, and longevity—rather than an added layer.

Across projects, we are interested in how spaces are experienced over time, from daily use to long-term adaptability. This includes work that supports accessibility and evolving needs, where clarity of circulation and function can meaningfully improve quality of life.

We approach each project as a collaborative process, working closely with clients, consultants, and builders to realize thoughtful, well-crafted environments.

a collaborative approach

We work closely with clients, consultants, and builders to develop clear, well-resolved projects from concept through construction.

© Jeff Badger

Leadership

 Clay Holden, AIA, IIDA, NCARB, LEED AP

  Founding Principal

Clay Holden is the founding principal of Clay Holden Architects and an active leader within the Los Angeles design community. He has served on the Board of Directors of AIA Los Angeles and co-founded Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA), advancing public engagement in design and supporting access to architecture across the region.

His leadership includes long-term involvement with the AIA|LA 2×8 program, where he has helped shape exhibitions, scholarships, and mentorship initiatives connecting students, educators, and the design community. He continues to serve on juries, advisory groups, and educational initiatives supporting emerging designers.

Prior to founding CHA, Clay worked with leading Los Angeles firms including Moore Ruble Yudell, Pugh + Scarpa, and Chu + Gooding Architects, contributing to award-winning projects across residential, institutional, and civic work.

Clay holds a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc and a Bachelor of Science in Design from Clemson University.


accreditations

Licensed Architect — California, Minnesota
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP)

volunteer work

Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA)
AIA Los Angeles
2×8 Endowment for Student Scholarships
2×8 Annual Student Exhibition & Scholarship Program
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

selected CLIENTS include

Awards & recognition

Los Angeles Architectural Award — Adaptive Reuse — Los Angeles Business Council (LABC), 2025

Honor Award — Adaptive Reuse — Westside Urban Forum, 2025

Lighting Design Award (2nd Place) — DMF Design Awards, 2025

Emerging Practice Award — AIA Los Angeles Presidential Awards, 2021

Interior Architecture Citation Award — AIA Los Angeles Design Awards, 2020

A’ Design Award (Iron) — Milan, 2020

Dezeen Awards (Longlist, Interiors) — UK, 2019

Best of Year Honoree (Beauty/Spa) — Interior Design Magazine, 2018

Associate of the Year — AIA Los Angeles, 2007

Publications + press

America By Design (CBS News) — Season 3, Episode 5, 2025

The New York Times — “Home Renovation for a Modern Family in Bel Air”

Architectural Record — “Lower Sproul Redevelopment: Town Meets Gown”

Dwell — “An Adorable Midcentury Revamp in Bel Air”

Elle Decoration (Germany) — Cover Feature, 2019

California Style (Japan) — Feature and Interview, multiple issues

© Laure Joliet