3rd Story

Business Details

43 Years

experience

Award-Winning Arizona Architects

Founded in 1983, 3rd Story is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based boutique architectural firm with over four decades of national experience. We specialize in creative solutions for land planning, hospitality, mixed-use development, and behavioral health projects, prioritizing financial feasibility and enhanced end-user experiences. Our Principal Architect, Rick Daugherty, brings a unique blend of expertise from his background as a former general contractor, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. With a client-centric approach, we focus on unlocking property potential through logical wayfinding, cost-effective planning, and people-centric design philosophies. Our work has earned recognition as one of the Best Restaurant Architects in Scottsdale and Top Interior Design Firms by industry publications.

We maintain a collaborative culture where 60% of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals, reflecting our commitment to relationships and quality. Our process integrates design integrity with functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic excellence across commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects. We embrace challenges as opportunities, leveraging innovative solutions to craft spaces that inspire and elevate human experiences. Our extensive experience navigating building regulations and zoning procedures ensures smooth project execution for clients. From concept to completion, we serve as advocates for our clients, transforming visions into successful realities.

Services

Land Planning Commercial Development Residential Design Mixed-Use Development Custom Homes

Details

Year established: 1983

Highlights and features

We have over 40 years of experience in architecture and land planning since 1983
Our Principal Architect brings construction expertise from prior general contracting experience
Recognized as Best Restaurant Architects by GC Magazine and Top Interior Design Firms by NEWH
60% of our work comes from repeat business and referrals
We proactively anticipate challenges and provide solutions throughout the entire project lifecycle

What people say

Design is excellent Real attribute to the city Consummate professional Better match than others Caring approach

Website

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Services

Land Planning

We create innovative mixed-use masterplans that redefine living with style and purpose. Our approach prioritizes logical wayfinding, cost-effective planning, and people-centric design. By integrating artful landscaping and clear spatial organization, we unlock property potential while enhancing aesthetics and overall project value.

Commercial Development

Our commercial architecture services focus on elevating place, space, and brand experiences. We deliver strategic designs that optimize functionality and profitability for hospitality, wellness, and healthcare sectors. With expertise in navigating building regulations, we ensure projects meet timelines and budget requirements while creating engaging environments.

Residential Design

We specialize in luxury custom homes and multi-family residential projects that integrate lifestyle, function, and aesthetics. Our client-centric approach combines current market trends with innovative design solutions. From period architecture to modern hillside developments, we create timeless spaces that reflect individual preferences and site characteristics.

Mixed-Use Development

Our mixed-use designs create vibrant communities by blending living, working, and leisure spaces. We focus on seamless indoor-outdoor integration, privacy in urban settings, and neighborhood connectivity. Our expertise includes managing complex zoning requirements and delivering projects that maximize long-term value for developers.

Custom Homes

We design distinctive custom homes that combine innovative architecture with personalized living solutions. Our process incorporates smart home technologies, sustainable materials, and site-specific design elements. From historic restorations to modern hillside constructions, we create timeless residences that reflect clients' unique preferences and lifestyles.

People

Rick Daugherty

Principal Architect - Owner

With over 40 years in architecture, Rick Daugherty combines design expertise and construction knowledge from his prior general contracting experience. He graduated in environmental design from Miami University and has led award-winning projects across multiple sectors.

Questions

What architectural services do you offer?

We provide comprehensive architecture services for land planning, commercial development, residential design, mixed-use projects, and custom homes across Arizona.

How long have you been in business?

3rd Story has been delivering architectural solutions since 1983, with over 40 years of combined experience from our team.

What areas do you serve?

We primarily serve Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona, with projects across the state and national experience in architectural design.

What makes your firm unique?

Our unique combination of architectural expertise and construction experience ensures practical, innovative solutions that balance creativity with real-world execution.

Do you handle both commercial and residential projects?

Yes, we specialize in both commercial and residential architecture, including hospitality, mixed-use developments, luxury homes, and multi-family housing.

What awards have you received?

We've been recognized as Best Restaurant Architects by GC Magazine, Top Interior Design Firms by NEWH, and among Phoenix's best architects by Expertise.com.

Reviews (4)

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Sara Vowell

Sep 15, 2020 Report

I wish we could give more than 5 stars for Rick and 3rd Story Architecture. We hired Rick to help us with the design and build out of our group training studio & private gym. From the very first time we met him we knew we were in great hands. His professionalism, expertise and quick responses to all of our questions (and there were many!) were so much appreciated. He gave us SO many ideas and invested so much time in help making our gym come to life on paper. We always felt the customer service of 3rd Story far surpassed anything we were anticipating. Rick provided so much insight into the design

Demetrius White

Jun 25, 2020 Report

This was a business call; to find out the structural land that I would need. and to give him a ideal on architect design that I was looking at before for the new generation. Did I help me, so I interned him!

Ryan Vowell

May 17, 2020 Report

Rick designed our gym and we think he did an amazing job! He is very knowledgeable, professional and timely with his responses... trust us, that is not typical in the construction industry! We would recommend him for any architecture/design job.

Jamie Passamonte

Nov 02, 2019 Report

First of all, we wanted to say thank you for your time and dedication to our project. Thank you for walking us through step by step in the process of our remodel of our kitchen and bedroom addition. Your team was super helpful along the way and we would recommend you to anyone in need.