Halflants + Pichette Named to Forbes' America’s Best in State Residential Architects List
In 2025, Forbes named Halflants + Pichette to its America’s Best in State Residential Architects list. The recognition places the Sarasota based studio among a limited group of residential architecture firms selected statewide. According to Forbes, only twelve firms in Florida were included, with two located in Sarasota.
The designation reflects national visibility for a practice that has remained closely tied to its regional context. Halflants + Pichette’s work has consistently focused on custom residential design shaped by climate, site conditions, and daily living patterns. Inclusion on the Forbes list positions the firm within a broader national conversation while reinforcing its role in Sarasota’s architectural landscape.
What the Forbes List Represents
The America’s Best in State Residential Architects list is the result of an extensive research and review process conducted by Forbes. The evaluation spanned approximately ten months and examined more than 20,000 architecture firms across the United States.
The list is not structured as a ranking. Instead, it identifies residential practices that demonstrate consistency, clarity of work, and relevance to the regions they serve. Selection criteria considered social, cultural, political, and lifestyle factors that shape residential architecture in each state.
For residential firms, this includes how homes respond to climate, how they support long term use, and how design decisions align with local conditions rather than abstract trends. Forbes has stated that firms were reviewed independently and that the list does not operate on a pay to play basis.
In Florida, the list highlights practices working within demanding environmental conditions. These include heat, humidity, wind exposure, and evolving building codes. Firms selected were those whose work reflects a clear understanding of these realities while maintaining architectural discipline.
Sarasota’s Legacy and Future in Architecture
Sarasota holds a distinctive place in Florida’s architectural history. The Sarasota School of Architecture introduced ideas centered on lightness, openness, and environmental responsiveness. While rooted in a specific period, those principles continue to influence how residential architecture is evaluated in the region.
Today, Sarasota architects work within a more complex regulatory and environmental framework. Coastal resilience, floodplain management, energy performance, and neighborhood context all shape contemporary residential design.
Halflants + Pichette operates within this evolving environment. The firm’s work reflects a contemporary architectural language while remaining attentive to Florida’s subtropical climate. Projects emphasize daylight, cross ventilation, and thoughtful transitions between interior and exterior spaces.
Rather than referencing historical styles directly, the firm’s work responds to the same underlying concerns that have shaped Sarasota’s architectural identity over time. This approach places the studio within the city’s ongoing architectural evolution rather than outside of it.
Halflants + Pichette’s Approach to Modern Residential Design
Founded in 2006, Halflants + Pichette maintains studios in Sarasota and Tampa and focuses primarily on custom residential architecture. From the outset, the practice has centered its work on homes designed for specific sites and clients.
The firm’s design philosophy begins with context. Each project is informed by orientation, climate conditions, surrounding development, and the way the home will be used day to day. Design decisions are developed through this framework rather than applied as a predetermined style.
Core values visible across the firm’s work include clarity of form, access to natural light, and material honesty. Plans are organized to support movement, privacy, and adaptability over time. Visual complexity is avoided in favor of clear spatial relationships.
Collaboration is central to the firm’s process. Clients are involved throughout design development, and coordination with builders, engineers, and consultants is treated as an essential part of achieving clear architectural outcomes.
What This Recognition Means for Clients
For clients, inclusion on the Forbes Best in State list reinforces confidence in the firm’s long term direction. The recognition reflects sustained residential work rather than a single project or short term achievement.
Homeowners seeking Sarasota architects often look for practices that understand local conditions and regulatory requirements. This acknowledgment highlights Halflants + Pichette’s ability to translate those factors into clear architectural solutions.
The recognition also places the firm within Florida’s broader architectural context. It signals alignment with practices that prioritize thoughtful design, performance, and relevance to place.
For those considering modern home design in Sarasota or along the Gulf Coast, the list provides external validation without shifting the firm’s design priorities or approach.
Learn More or Start a Conversation
Visitors interested in learning more about Halflants + Pichette’s work can explore recent residential projects through the firm’s portfolio. The site provides insight into design approach, completed homes, and current work.
Homeowners considering a custom residential project in Sarasota or elsewhere along the Gulf Coast are invited to reach out for a consultation. Press inquiries and professional collaborations are also welcomed.