Our Mission

To create buildings and spaces that evoke a positive emotional response from those who build, occupy and interact with them.

History

In 1991, Jim Bickel and Ron Underwood combined their experience to create an architectural firm specializing in innovative design and uncommonly detailed service. In the fifteen years since our founding, we have developed a distinct design philosophy. We believe that it is possible to create a building (or environment) in which the entirety of the project is more valuable than the aggregate of its individual components. In other words, our philosophy is to ensure that for each dollar invested, the final project has a value greater than the dollars spent. To achieve this, our staff applies its experience and knowledge to each design task, from site planning to space planning, from building massing to its final detailing, from functional concerns to technological advances. We look at each issue, from the macro to the micro.

The expertise at Bickel Underwood is the result of years of combined experience from some of the leading firms in the industry as well as a continued emphasis on education and technology. As a result, Bickel Underwood has completed design and construction documents for hundreds of commercial, health care, restaurant, educational and residential projects with a construction value totaling over $125 million.

Partners

 Jim Bickel - President

Jim has over 22 years of experience in design, project management, code analysis, and documentation of retail, office, medical, religious, educational, restaurant, and residential projects. He also has extensive experience in the management and preparation of construction drawings and specification as well as client interaction, governmental processing, construction administration and engineering coordination for Type 1 high-rise to Type V building.

Jim received his Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, at San Luis Obispo in 1986. He has been a licensed architect in California since 1989 and is also licensed in New Mexico, Nevada, and Oregon. Jim is a member of the American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and sits on the Board of Directors of S.P.I.N. (Serving People In Need), an Orange County charitable organization. He is the architect member of the Granville homeowner's design review committee in Newport Beach, CA and the Marbella homeowner's design review committee in San Juan Capistrano.

Away from the office, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. He enjoys playing golf and being involved with his sons' school and sports activities.

 Ron Underwood - Director of Design

As the Director of Design, Ron has the primary responsibilities for the creative aspects of all projects within the office, and is instrumental in developing detailing systems and delineation techniques for design presentations. Ron has over 16 years of experience as a senior designer and production team member on commercial projects throughout the western United States. His expertise has been gained through extensive experience in programming, planning, design, and procuring entitlements for large-scale projects.

Ron received his Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic University, at Pomona. Ron enjoys spending time with his wife, son and two daughters