Architecture for Difficult Buildings.

Adaptive Reuse. Existing Buildings. Complex Permitting. 24 Years of Getting It Done.

Indoor rock climbing gym with climbing wall and people climbing, socializing, and using the counter area.

Ziese Architecture specializes in the projects that demand more: adaptive reuse of historic buildings, specialty facilities (climbing gyms, food banks, production studios), and complex permitting challenges. We're AIA/NCARB/LEED AP certified and have guided 200+ projects through Los Angeles' and other jurisdictions toughest approval processes. If your project requires both creative design and regulatory mastery, let's talk.

Let's Discuss Your Project

Empty spacious room with high ceilings, exposed white wooden beams, large windows, light wooden flooring, and white walls, with a few beige chairs and ottomans.

Open-concept living room and kitchen with white walls, wooden beams, hardwood floor, dining table with white chairs, white and gray kitchen cabinets, island with bar stools, and large windows.

Residential & Commercial Architecture for Complex Projects.

Modern building with white exterior and vibrant blue accent panel, large glass windows, landscaped area with small plants and rocks, and parking lot visible in background.

Ziese Architecture specializes in adaptive reuse, existing building repositioning, and the complex permitting work that most firms decline. We developed this expertise in Los Angeles because Los Angeles demanded it — the entitlement machinery here is among the most demanding in the country. That depth of knowledge doesn't stop at the city line.

ABOUT OUR FIRM

Interior of a restaurant decorated for Christmas with hanging star and chandelier lights, exposed brick walls, wooden furniture, and a bar area in the background.

How Projects Typically Begin.

White modern house with a pool in the backyard, outdoor furniture, potted plants, and solar panels on the roof.

Most projects don’t start with design decisions—they start with questions around feasibility, approvals, scope, and risk. Clients are often unsure which regulations apply, what agencies are involved, or where problems tend to surface if issues are ignored early.

The first conversations are usually about:

What constraints apply to the site or existing building
Which approvals or permits may be required
How zoning, codes, or jurisdictional review affect cost and timeline
What should be evaluated before moving forward

Clarifying these issues early helps avoid delays, redesigns, and uncertainty later in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Interior of a bright, beach-themed restaurant with blue and white chairs, a bar area, wooden barrels, a refrigerator with drinks, and aquatic decorations like life rings hanging from a balcony.

Indoor rock climbing gym with colorful holds on climbing walls and a climbing a student in white shirt and brown shorts climbing on the right wall.

Fire Rebuild & Recovery Experience.

Modern house with gray stucco and wooden siding, situated on a sloped landscape with hills in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.

Ziese Architecture has extensive experience assisting homeowners with rebuilding after wildfire loss, including fire rebuild projects in Malibu and other fire‑affected areas of Los Angeles County. Our work includes navigating expedited permitting pathways, jurisdiction‑specific requirements, and fire‑resilient design strategies.

Rebuilding after the fires? Start here.

Schedule a Rebuild Consultation