Business Details
31 Years
experience
Trusted Architectural Design Services in Newport Beach
Founded in 1995, Saunders + Wiant Architects has established itself as a premier design firm based in Newport Beach, California. With over 25 years of experience, we specialize in healthcare, commercial, and residential architecture, serving clients across the Southwestern United States and internationally in Mexico, the Middle East, and Pakistan. Our team combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to quality and affordability, delivering tailored design solutions that meet the unique needs of each project. We maintain close collaborations with engineering consultants to ensure seamless documentation and execution, handling projects of all sizes from concept through construction administration. Recognized for our expertise in medical and veterinary facility design, we provide comprehensive services including site planning, ADA compliance, sustainable design, and feasibility studies. Our principals bring decades of experience, with licenses in multiple U.S. states and international certifications, ensuring global standards of excellence.We pride ourselves on long-term client relationships, evidenced by our loyal clientele ranging from small businesses to large institutions. Our work reflects a dedication to innovation, practical problem-solving, and creating spaces that enhance functionality and aesthetics. Through our extensive portfolio, we demonstrate consistent delivery of high-quality architectural solutions that stand the test of time. This combination of experience, technical proficiency, and client-focused service positions us as trusted leaders in the architectural profession.
Services
Healthcare Architecture
Veterinary Design
Commercial Architecture
Educational Facilities
Residential Design
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of specialized expertise in medical and veterinary facility design
- Our principals hold licenses in multiple U.S. states and international certifications
- We provide comprehensive services from concept to construction administration
- We maintain close collaborations with engineering consultants for seamless execution
- Our international portfolio demonstrates global design capabilities
Associations and certifications
- AIA
- RIBA
- NCARB
Services
Healthcare Architecture
Specialized architectural solutions for healthcare facilities including dental offices, medical centers, and ambulatory surgery centers. Our expertise combines regulatory compliance with functional design to create efficient, patient-friendly spaces that meet evolving medical standards while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Veterinary Design
Customized veterinary facility design addressing unique workflow requirements for animal hospitals and clinics. We create functional spaces that balance animal care needs with client accessibility, incorporating specialized areas for examination, treatment, and boarding while maintaining strict hygiene standards.
Commercial Architecture
Comprehensive commercial building design services for retail spaces, office complexes, and mixed-use developments. Our approach focuses on maximizing functionality while creating visually appealing environments that enhance business operations and customer experiences through thoughtful space planning and material selection.
Educational Facilities
Architectural solutions for K-12 schools and educational institutions that prioritize learning environments. We design flexible, code-compliant spaces that support modern teaching methods while incorporating sustainable features and future expansion capabilities to accommodate evolving educational needs.
Residential Design
Luxury residential architecture for custom homes, townhouses, and multi-family developments. Our designs emphasize livability, natural light integration, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections while maintaining strict budget parameters and local building code requirements.
People
Niall Saunders
Principal Architect
AIA and RIBA-certified architect with over 30 years of experience, Niall founded the firm in 1995. He specializes in medical architecture and holds licenses in California, Texas, and Arizona, bringing international design perspective to every project.
Jared Dudley
Senior Associate
Licensed architect with 20+ years at the firm, Jared specializes in building codes and regulatory compliance. He manages complex projects from concept through construction, ensuring smooth approvals and practical design solutions.
Ken Wiant
Founding Partner
Licensed architect with extensive California construction expertise, Ken co-founded the firm in 1996. His practical approach to design and regulatory challenges shaped the firm's collaborative culture before his retirement.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in healthcare facilities, veterinary clinics, commercial buildings, educational institutions, and custom residential design across the Southwestern United States and internationally.
How long has your firm been in operation?
Saunders + Wiant Architects was founded in 1995 and has maintained its Newport Beach headquarters since 1996, providing architectural services for over 25 years.
Do you handle projects outside California?
Yes, we work throughout the Southwestern United States and have completed international projects in Mexico, the Middle East, and Pakistan.
What makes your firm unique?
Our combination of medical/veterinary design expertise, international experience, and personalized service distinguishes us, supported by principals licensed in multiple states and international certifications.
How do you approach complex regulatory requirements?
Our team has extensive experience navigating building codes and regulatory processes, with dedicated specialists ensuring smooth approvals for complex projects.
Can you assist with sustainable design?
Yes, we incorporate sustainable design principles and collaborate with consultants to implement energy-efficient solutions that reduce environmental impact while meeting project goals.
Reviews (4)
Amirreza V.
Mar 30, 2021
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I can't speak enough how grateful I am for what Niall and his team have done for my project...For all the communications he made with different parties for my project to get started, ..for considering my every single and almost every day changes I requested to get my ideal space plan, ..for helping me through every single step of city permit process which I had no idea about them and Also for being the best advisor like an older brother.. . I am so appreciative of his help for staying in my support until midnight in the meeting with city council members for my veterinary clinic CUP approval
Erin Robinson
Nov 03, 2020
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My husband and I used Saunders & Wiant for our architectural plans for a new veterinary clinic in LA. Niall was amazing to work with, he has been so unbelievably helpful. The whole process of figuring everything out with the city and very difficult building codes in LA was frustrating, but we are thankful that our plans had such a great foundation with Niall designing everything. Our space is extremely small and he was able to figure out a way for us to get everything we needed in the space while still being to code. We had a very tough construction project, but we are so thankful that our first
Elizabeth R.
Sep 01, 2020
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Niall is absolutely amazing. He is truly an expert in designing medical facilities. He designed our plans for a new veterinary clinic and he was the best decision we made! Originally, we had considered hiring just any architect to design the space, but we are so thankful that we went with a real expert in the field. He knows exactly what you need for a vet clinic and I can't even imagine if we had hired someone else, it would have been a disaster. Our space is teeny tiny and he somehow made it work within the parameters to give us everything we need. He has been a great resource for advice
Erika T.
Sep 25, 2018
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I have the pleasure of working in an office redesigned by Saunders. Their entire staff is pleasant to work with and brings their "A" game. The flow from reception to patient care rooms all the way back into the surgery center is fluid and efficient. And I can't count the number of times patients have come in following our rebranding proclaiming how much they love the new upgrades.
